Browns punter Jamie Gillan wins AFC Special Teams Player of the Month

The Cleveland Browns took a big chance this offseason, choosing rookie punter  Jamie Gillan over veteran Britton Colquitt. But through one month of his pro career, the Scottish Hammer has won AFC Special Teams Player of the Month.

Jamie Gillan entered into Cleveland Browns lore very early on. A nickname like “The Scottish Hammer” doesn’t usually go with a punter.

And yet, Gillan has been nothing short of stellar for the Dawg Pound, proving that the Browns made a great choice going with him over their veteran punter, Britton Colquitt after the preseason.

Gillan’s potential was evident from the start, with a booming 74-yard punt in Cleveland’s second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. That punt went a long way in sealing the Hammer’s spot on the Browns’ 53-man roster, and caught the eyes of Browns fans at large.

Gillan has punted 20 balls away for Cleveland this season. Through four games, the Hammer’s 11 punts inside the 20-yard line rank him second in the AFC. Gillan sits behind only Brett Kern of the Tennessee Titans, who has 14 punts inside the 20, out of 25 possible punts.

The legend of the Scottish Hammer continues to grow. From “pure potential with a big leg” and popping three footballs during his pre-draft workout, to “big leg with accuracy,” Gillan has improved his accuracy quite a bit in his short time with the Browns.

His improvements have been rewarded with an AFC Special Teams Player of the Month, his first career award in his first month as a pro.