Daily Dawg Tags: Browns fill special teams coordinator role

The Cleveland Browns have a new man in charge of the special teams unit after reportedly hiring Amos Jones from the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cleveland Browns filled their opening for a special teams coordinator on Thursday with the hiring of Amos Jones.

The news was first reported in a Tweet by Alex Marvez of The Sporting News:

Jones replaces Chris Tabor, who left the Browns for special teams coordinator position with the Chicago Bears after being with the Browns since 2011. (Tabor also survived two owners, five general managers and four head coaches during his time in Cleveland, which has to be a league record.)

Jones comes to town from the Arizona Cardinals, where he has been in charge of the Cardinals special teams since 2013. According to his bio on the Cardinals official website, under Jones’ tutelage Justin Bethel made the Pro Bowl for three consecutive seasons as a special teams player.

Rookie safety Budda Baker followed Bethel’s lead this season and will be the special teams player for the NFC in this year’s Pro Bowl.

The Cardinals special teams play has been erratic in recent years, however, and Jones faced criticism on almost a weekly basis. He told arizonasports.com in December that he works hard to block out the noise:

"“I don’t get many interviews, probably because I’m not a good interviewer or I’m not going to throw anybody underneath the bus. But, the thing is I don’t pay attention to outside stuff.”"

We’re not how Jones’ attitude about not wanting throw players under the bus will work inside the coaches room in Cleveland since that is a weekly occurrence from head coach Hue Jackson, but it will be refreshing nonetheless.

Before Arizona, Jones was in Pittsburgh with the Steelers, working for five seasons as the teams assistant special teams coach and one year as the special teams coach,  so he should be comfortable returning to the AFC North.

Cleveland Browns news:

Browns: 5 players to watch at the Senior Bowl

The Cleveland Browns have plenty of prospects to keep an eye on at the upcoming Senior Bowl. These five however, stand out about all the rest, for one reason or another.

Josh Allen a mild surprise at No. 1 (ESPN)

"Josh Allen? 
First overall? Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen the first pick in the 2018 NFL draft, by the Cleveland Browns? That’s how Mel Kiper sees the draft going — in his first mock draft at least. Kiper has the Browns taking Allen over Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold."

What if Joe Thomas retires? (cleveland.com)

"Joe Thomas retiring isn’t ideal on many levels, on the field and off the field, for the team or its fans. It’s something that could happen, though, and it’s something we all need to prepare for. So what options do the Browns have if Thomas decides he’s done playing? Let’s take a look."

NFL news:

Tom Brady did not participate in practice on Thursday (NFL.com)

"The worry in New England over Tom Brady’s injured hand is starting to get more palpable. The New England Patriots announced Thursday that their future Hall of Fame quarterback, who was on the field in shoulder pads, a helmet and gloves, did not practice after jamming his right throwing hand in Wednesday’s workout."

Bills being NFL draft prep in search of a quarterback (Democrat and Chronicle)

"General manager Brandon Beane was asked how many of the college quarterbacks he had personally seen this past year, and he delivered the money quote that will fuel the next three months leading up to the NFL Draft. “All of the ones that matter.”"

Kirk Cousins will shape Washington’s offseason plans (Washington Post)

"A question mark hangs over offseason deliberations at Redskins Park, where coaches and front office staff are setting priorities for free agency and April’s NFL draft. It’s the uncertainty over whether quarterback Kirk Cousins is returning and, if so, at what price and with what implications for the salary cap."