Statistically Speaking: T.J. Ward Led Team in Special Teams Tackles

by Chris Pokorny on Jan 12, 2011 10:59 AM EST in General News

Rookies are often expected to make a name for themselves on special teams. Besides starting all 16 games at safety, second-round pick T.J. Ward certainly had an impact on special teams, as he led the team with 15 special teams tackles and 3 assists. If Ward was first, then how did the team's three special teams "aces" -- Nick Sorensen, Ray Ventrone, and Blake Costanzo -- compare to him?

15 tackles: T.J. Ward
10 tackles: Nick Sorensen
9 tackles: Ray Ventrone
8 tackles: Mike Adams, Titus Brown, Jason Trusnik, Joe Haden
6 tackles: Blake Costanzo
2 tackles: Abram Elam, Marcus Benard, Eric King
1 tackle: Sabby Piscitelli, Chris Gocong, Chansi Stuckey, Kaluka Maiava, Sam Aiken, Phil Dawson

In 2009, the team's leaders on special teams were Ray Ventrone (11 tackles), Nick Sorensen (10 tackles), Blake Costanzo (9 tackles), and Mike Adams (8 tackles). I anticipate the leaderboard changing back to one of our three "aces" next season, because I don't see the second-year Ward being used on special teams again since he is a starter. Compared to other rookie safeties this year (Eric Berry, 5 tackles and Earl Thomas, 4 tackles), Ward saw a lot more action on special teams.

The Browns will have to make some decisions on their special teams leaders next season. Nick Sorensen is a free agent, and Blake Costanzo is a restricted free agent. Ventrone is under contract for $700,000, and Adams is set to make $1.1 million, according to RotoWorld.

The key for Cleveland is to keep Costanzo, which I imagine they will. He suffered a season-ending groin injury in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland's special teams unit seemed to decline quite a bit after that when it came to covering kicks.

I would also be in favor of putting Joshua Cribbs in as the gunner again next season. His contributions this season were next-to-nothing compared to the past. That isn't necessarily his fault, but if Cleveland drafts a wide receiver, Cribbs' reduced role in that capacity could push him back to a spot where he helps the Browns win the field position game. For the record, Cribbs led the team in special teams tackles in 2007 and 2008 with 17 and 19 tackles, respectively.

Nonetheless, the Browns should be proud of their kickoff coverage this season. Opponents only averaged 17.8 yards per kick return, which ranks best in team history from 1999 onward and first overall in the NFL in 2010. The next best team at covering kickoffs was the Washington Redskins, who yielded 19.0 yards per return.

Opponents averaged 7.1 yards per punt return. That is not as good as 2009's average (6.6 yards per return), but it still ranks third best from 1999 onward and fifth overall in the NFL in 2010.

The other statistic to look at is blocked kicks. Cleveland blocked three kicks this season, with T.J. Ward, Scott Fujita, and Shaun Rogers each getting a piece of the football.

If all of that doesn't make a great case to keep Brad Seely on board as special teams coordinator, I don't know what will.

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Comments

PLEASE keep Seely. He’s actually the coordinator I want to keep most, even more so than Ryan. Special teams is what kept us in a LOT of games this year.

by Don'tByBrownsQBJerseys on Jan 12, 2011 11:46 AM EST reply actions

I agree with keeping Seely. Special teams has easily been the most consistent unit on the team for several years. I know this was Seely’s 1st year here but with the injury to Cribbs TY he was very instrumental here.
Also in addition to CP’s topic how about:
Do we keep Phil Dawson? He was only 3 of 8 from 40 or more TY, he’s never been a big touchback guy on KO’s and if i’m not mistaken he’s a FA.
If we get whomever to bolster the WR position TY do we put Cribbs back on special teams or do we continue to try & put him out at WR as a slot guy?

by sleepy042 on Jan 12, 2011 12:11 PM EST reply actions

Just a note, it was actually Seely’s second year with the team.

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Jan 12, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

my bad i thought cleveland switched special teams coaches with NE in year 2.

by sleepy042 on Jan 12, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

does the touchback stat matter much considering the browns allowed the fewest yards per return in the league?

by DontCallMeJoey on Jan 13, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

Agree 100% with keeping Sealy. He is the only coach that has a chance to return. He was aided significantly by Mangini though. Eric supported special teams alot and had like 10 specialists on the team dedicated to special teams. May be more of a challenge if we start having a roster of players with the talent to play in everydown situations.

Note to Bill Byrne "Because you aren´t Texas and you´ll never be Texas"

by realmccoy on Jan 12, 2011 3:14 PM EST reply actions

Since we are on the topic of special teams, I know that the Browns’ return game suffered because of the injury to Cribbs and the fact that early in the season teams were kicking away from him, but a lot of times it seemed to me that the return teams just weren’t getting their blocks. Has anyone seen any footage that would confirm or deny that assumption?

I am effing hurdling you and you can't stop me.

by JustBob on Jan 12, 2011 6:02 PM EST reply actions

Yeah I noticed that too I think its a combo of that and Cribbs having an off year

by Luke C on Jan 13, 2011 6:55 AM EST up reply actions

Interesting thought with Dawson. He’s been dependable enough for the last few years that I haven’t really wanted to use a draft pick that is needed elsewhere. That being said, you are right about his relatively short kickoffs, and the numbers show he cant make long field goals consistently – something a struggling offense really needs. I wonder if its worth spending a high pick on Adam Henery from Nebraska. The guy will probably go in the 2nd-3rd round – i’ve never seen such a talented and consistent kicker in my life. I would usually think talk of taking a kicker before the 5th round is crazy, but i really believe this guy is a weapon that might be worth it. The other side of the argument is that we need too many other positions upgraded to consider a kicker in the 2nd-3rd. What does everyone think?

by Vududawg on Jan 13, 2011 11:44 AM EST reply actions