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Cleveland Browns: Position grades from loss to Eagles

By Jonathan Goehring

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) shakes hands with Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) shakes hands with Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after the game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Browns special teams players line up for the opening kickoff against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Browns special teams players line up for the opening kickoff against the Oakland Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams: F

Along with all of the other shortcomings the Browns had Sunday, their special teams play was among the worst. Besides several good tackles from Ricardo Louis and Isaiah Crowell, a field goal from Patrick Murray, and an average performance by punter Britton Colquitt, the special teams unit was horrendous.

The return game on both punts and kicks never got it going, especially with Tramon Williams returning. Defending the return was also an adventure, as the Eagles were able to gain favorable starting field position on almost every drive. Several short fields resulted from poor punts and poor punt return coverage, but the 4th-and-5 attempt from Duke Johnson to convert at Cleveland’s own 35 topped all of the struggles Cleveland’s special teams had. This play gave Philadelphia yet another short field, one of four occasions in which the Eagles started an offensive possession in Cleveland territory.

The bottom line when it comes to special teams play is field position. While the Eagles’ special teams deserves a considerable amount of credit, the Browns just did not get it done in this area. The average starting field position speaks for itself, and it arguably the most alarming stat of Sunday’s game. The special teams dictates the outcome of the game in many ways, and Cleveland’s needs to improve drastically in the coming weeks to give the team’s offense and defense any shot.

Next: Coaching

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