Special teams thoughts

It was reported, at least in some media circles, that the Browns surprisingly fired Mike Priefer as special teams coordinator a few days ago. 

Surprisingly? More like what took them so long.

After all, it took the Browns mere hours to cashier embattled defensive coordinator Joe Woods after the season finale in Pittsburgh a few days into the new year. And he deserved it after three agonizingly inconsistent seasons.

Priefer, whose special teams fared somewhat worse than Woods' defense, appeared to escape a similar fate as the days and weeks mounted. Nothing but silence emanated from 76 Lou Groza Blvd. in Berea with regard to Priefer. For six weeks.

All kinds of speculation arose, of course, and then died down as preparations for the 2023 season slowly came into view. A few assistant coaches moved on to higher ground with other National Football League clubs. Priefer, it appeared, was safe. Until he wasn't.

That's when head coach Kevin Stefanski dropped the hammer on the native Clevelander with what seemed, at least to me, a by-the-book sendoff. Annotation in bold is mine.

"I appreciate everything Prief has done for this team in his three seasons as my special teams coordinator, but I have decided to move in another direction for the best interest of organization," he wrote. Is this how you reward appreciation? The other direction is for the better. Best interest of the organization is with you somewhere else.

 "I know this city will be forever grateful for the job he did as acting head coach in our AFC wild-card win (in the 2020 season) and for all his contributions while leading the Browns' special teams unit for the last four seasons. We wish Prief the best in his next opportunity." Forever grateful? In a wild-card game? More like a footnote. You're fired. But good luck, anyway. 

It seems many of the same words appear in carefully-worded statements whenever someone of importance is fired from a sports team, whether it's a general manager, coach or player. Words like appreciate, move in another direction, wish him (or her) the best.

So again, what took the Browns so long to pull the cord on Priefer's parachute? Not saying it wasn't warranted because it was. Didn't seem right, though, that they left him dangling while other teams were firming up their coaching staffs for the new season.

*****

Didn't take nearly as long to find Priefer's successor. A couple of days later, Stefanski pronounced himself "thrilled" to welcome Indianapolis Colts special teams boss Ray (Bubba) Ventrone on board. Adding assistant head coach to his job title removed it from being a sideways move.

Ventrone comes with sparkling credentials. A special teams ace his entire NFL playing career with three teams -- including a four-year stint with the Browns  -- helped him become one of the league's most highly-regarded coordinators, annually turning out top-rated special teams.

The former college safety, who began his 10-year pro football playing career as an undrafted free agent, cut his eye teeth as a coach under Bill Belichick while at New England. 

"He brings a proven track record as both a player and a coach in this league," gushed Stefanski in a released statement. " . . . He has an infectious passion for the game and we are excited to have him leading our special teams unit." 

So now with the addition of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator and Ventrone in charge of special teams, there ostensibly will be no excuse whatsoever for the Browns to flounder as they have the last two seasons with disappointing play from the defense and special teams leading to a 7-10 record.

With Deshaun Watson playing a whole season leading an offensive unit that averaged 24 points a game under journeyman Jacoby Brissett while Watson sat out his 11-game suspension, it isn't unreasonable to assume that side of the football will be even better this season.

Put it all together and . . . well, you get the idea.