Browns Urged to Pounce on Pro Bowl Kicker After Surprise Release
The kicking problems in Cleveland have not been a secret, with over 10 different kickers in the past 10 seasons; the problem is evident. Under Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry, the Browns rank last in the NFL in XP%, FGA under 40 yards, and 31st in FGA from 40-49 yards.
Drafting kickers in early rounds of the draft hasn’t worked so far, but signing a proven veteran did work in the 2023-24 season with Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins was named a Pro Bowl alternate, but struggled this past season, leading to his release. The problem was solved for a time, but it has arisen once again.
The problem may have just fixed itself in a recent cutting of a former Pro Bowl kicker in the NFC.
Younghoe Koo was just cut from the Atlanta Falcons after spending seven years with the squad. This move comes from the dips in consistency from Koo, who was once one of the best kickers in the NFL.
In 2020, Koo nailed the most field goals in the NFL with 37 made on a 94.9% success rate and was voted to the Pro Bowl. After the 2020 season, Koo’s success rate declined over the years to 86.5% in 2023 and 73.5% in 2024. Some of the low rate in 2024 can be attributed to the hip injury that Koo sustained, which landed him on the injured reserve late in the season.
If the Browns do not want to completely move on from rookie kicker Andre Szmyt, they can host a possible competition between the two. Szymt left four crucial points on the board in the Browns' week one loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, proving to be detrimental as the final score was 17-16.
Now, with the recent reports that Szmyt has hurt his calf in practice and is questionable for this Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, there is no better time to bring on a veteran kicker in Koo. He's currently 15th all-time in the NFL in FG% with a % of 85.8. Koo has been as high as second on the all-time list, which was after the 2022 season.
The concern with Koo would be the clutch-kicking aspect. After his miss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, which would have sent the game into overtime, Koo is 11-16, or 68.5%, on kicks that would tie the game or take the lead in the final minute of the game. While these numbers can be concerning, if you’re the Browns, why not take that chance?
Both of these kickers could benefit from this competition, as Koo was in Atlanta. Before the season started, he hit kicks at a 92% rate in training camp and preseason, winning him the starting job. The Falcons are moving on from Koo, and right now might be the time for the Browns to jump on it.
Ravens' Lamar Jackson Explains Monday Night Football Dominance
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is well on his way to becoming one of the best quarterbacks of all time. After all, the two-time MVP currently boasts the highest passer rating in NFL history and holds the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback, a special combination to say the least.
Jackson has been pretty dominant in most situations, but nowhere more so than on ESPN's "Monday Night Football." He has a 7-2 record in nine Monday night games in his career, but more impressively, has 22 passing touchdowns without a single interception.
When asked earlier this week about his historic dominance on Monday nights, Jackson said he hasn't paid much mind to it.
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"No, if anything, I'm going to try to keep it going, if I am playing well," Jackson told reporters. "I don't pay attention to it."
However, Jackson still offered a potential explanation for why he's played so well on Mondays.
"Probably that extra rest day. I'd say that," Jackson said. "Probably the extra rest day [and getting to watch] extra film. [You have extra time to] get a good feel for who we are playing against and go from there."
Ironically, Jackson said he didn't get to watch many Monday night games while growing up, as his mother would make him go to bed before school the next day. Now, millions are watching him dominate in prime time in the same situation.
Week 3's matchup against the Detroit Lions will mark the Ravens' first home game on "Monday Night Football" since 2021, when they defeated the Indianapolis Colts in a thrilling comeback. With the Ravens also breaking out their all-black uniforms, the atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium should be nothing short of incredible.
"You enjoy the atmosphere," head coach John Harbaugh said. "It is tough to play on the road on Monday night. It's always exciting. We've done pretty well on the road on Monday night. We have a pretty good record, but [with] the home games, you have your crowd. That's really what it boils down to. You have your crowd, and I hope they're out there. I expect them to be out there like they always are and be really into it, be loud and really make it tough [for Detroit].
"The Lions do a lot of communicating at the line. They do a lot of communicating on offense. They try to get in the right play, try to move you around and things like that. Our defense is going to have to cope with that as well, but I'd like for it to be tough on them to do that."
