CLEVELAND, Ohio — After the Browns’ 17-16 loss to Cincinnati Sunday, Browns fans have lots of questions — and anger about Andre Szmyt missing an extra point and a 36-yard field goal.
Hey, Terry: Lou “The Toe” Groza is rolling over in his grave! – Paul
Hey, Terry: Speaking of straight ahead kickers, why don’t they go back to that method at least for extra points or short field goals? It seems so much goes on to affect the accuracy of the soccer style kicking and the “old” way seems simpler and less mistake prone. Am I asking a stupid question? – Nancy
Hey, Paul & Nancy: It’s not a stupid question, but the facts are that soccer style kickers are more accurate. Hard to believe, but Groza only made 55% of his field goal attempts. He retired in 1967. Don Cockroft made 67%. He retired in 1980. Now, the average kicker makes 86%. The good ones are over 90%. Last year, the Browns made only 67% of their field goals – worst of any team in the NFL. In the modern NFL, kicking is better than ever. We have forgotten how often they missed in the past.
Meanwhile, San Francisco cut Jake Moody. He missed a 27-yard field goal and had a 36-yarder blocked in the opening game. He was a third-round pick in 2023. He made 84% of his field goals as a rookie. That dropped to 71% last year. Part of the reason impatience is thin with kickers is the success rate is now so high. Also, they don’t make a lot of money by NFL standards, and that makes it easy to cut them.
Browns kicker Andre Szmyt unreliable in opener: Crowquill
Illustration by Ted Crow for Crowquill. The Browns new kicker, Andre Szmyt, got off to a shaky start. Ted Crow
Hey, Terry: Why can’t this front office do what competent front offices seem to be able to do? At a minimum, hold a kicking competition. We are still looking for Phil Dawson’s replacement for goodness sakes. –Vince
Hey, Terry: Why not not bring in 4-5 for training camp and drill them like crazy till they find one? – Chris
Hey, Vince & Chris: Teams do hold kicker competitions. Sometimes, they are on Tuesdays during the regular seasons when they bring in players to try out. The problem is some guys kick very well on Tuesday, but Sunday is a different story. Kickers also run hot and cold. There is no magic formula for finding a kicker. It’s why 43 players attempted a field goal in 2024, according to Pro Football Reference.
Since Kevin Stefanski became coach in 2020, the Browns have had eight different kickers: Cody Parkey, Chase McLaughlin, Austin Siebert, Chis Naggar, Riley Patterson, Dustin Hopkins, Cade York and Szmyt.
Cleveland Browns vs, Baltimore Ravens, October 27, 2024
The Cleveland Browns show a tribute to the late Voice of the Cleveland Browns Jim Donovan before the game against the Baltimore Ravens. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Hey, Terry: In times like these, I miss Jimmy Donovan. – Greg
Hey, Greg: So true. I still remember sitting at training camp in 2024 with Jim watching the Browns and Minnesota scrimmage. He was still planning to do the games at some point. Then the leukemia got worse. He was an amazing man. I miss him all the time, as do so many fans.
Hey, Terry: Why do the Browns keep running Jerome Ford out there? – Todd.
Hey, Todd: Part of the reason is Quinshon Judkins had some legal problems (but was never charged). Then he and his agent had a long contract negotiation with the Browns that didn’t end until last weekend. The Browns picked Judkins in the second round and Dylan Sampson in the fourth round to add running backs so they didn’t have to rely heavily on Ford.
Hey, Terry: When will the Haslams sell the team? – Kevin
Hey, Kevin: The Haslams aren’t selling franchises. They are buying them. They own 25% of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. They also own the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. As they push for the new stadium, they certainly have no plans to sell the Browns.
Hey, Terry: At the end of every year, I say no more. But one hour before Sunday’s game, I re-upped my NFL Ticket for this season so I could watch the game. Why? – Scott
Hey, Scott: Because sports are a diversion from real life, even if it’s frustrating. If you’re a Browns fan, maybe you want a little extra suffering in your life.
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