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So, what about Cleveland Browns special teams this season?

By Elliot Kennel

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Dontrell Hilliard #25 of the Cleveland Browns returns a kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Dontrell Hilliard #25 of the Cleveland Browns returns a kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Cornerback Tavierre Thomas #20 talks with wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns on the sidelines during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Browns 20-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 22: Cornerback Tavierre Thomas #20 talks with wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns on the sidelines during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rams defeated the Browns 20-13. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns gunners

When you watch a football game on TV, whether Pro or college, they rarely tell you who is on the field, which is one of this fan’s pet peeves about network broadcasts. At least tell us who the gunners are in punt coverage.  These players are so crucial to the success of the team.

Last year the special teams tackle leaders were KhaDarel Hodge (12), Dontrell Hilliard (10) and Tavierre Thomas (9), Adarius Taylor (8); and the trio of Sheldrick Redwine, D’Ernest Johnson (7), and Tae Davis,  all tied with (7).

So who are the candidates to be the gunners this season? Both incumbents, KhaDarel Hodge and Tavierre Thomas are still with the team, although both will be challenged.

They both have the same problem of not being an integral part of the offensive or defensive units. Most of the time Hodge and Thomas were used as the gunners, with Greedy Williams and Derrick Willies making appearances early in the year.

1. KhaDarel Hodge is a special teams star. It would be nice if he could develop into a number four wide receiver.

2. Tavierre Thomas was also outstanding as the gunner. Like Hodge, he is much more important to special teams than to his normal position as a cornerback.

3. Dontrell Hilliard was second on the Browns in special teams tackles. He will challenge for the job. He is all the more valuable because he contributes on returns and can be the change-of-pace back.

4.  J.T. Hassell also played very well on special teams last year and would seem to be a candidate at least become a nickel or dime defensive back. He is missing a few fingers on his left hand, or otherwise, he would be a candidate return man as well.

5. Greedy Williams has the physical skills to be a gunner, but the Browns decided he needed to focus on playing cornerback, hence Thomas went in for him early last season.

6. Linebacker Willie Harvey was beginning to establish a reputation for being a very good special teams player but went on Injured Reserve. He should be totally back this year and could compete for the gunner job in addition to getting game snaps as a linebacker.

7. Donovan Peoples-Jones figures to be kept busy as a punt returner but has the physical attributes to be the gunner also, like a higher speed version of Hilliard. But it might be more sensible to initially allow him to focus on becoming a bona fide punt returner before attempting to expand his responsibilities in punt coverage.

8.  D’Ernest Johnson has a similar skill set to Dontrell Hilliard and made his share of tackles on special teams last year.  If he is as slow as his Pro Day numbers indicate, he is not going to be the gunner but could still be a viable member of special teams. The eyeball test says that his game speed is faster than 4.8.

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