Fan Perception: What We Learned About the Browns' Special Teams Heading Into Training Camp

In each of our training camp previews, we conduct a poll at the end of the post. The polls are intended to gauge fan perception about certain players or roles on the Cleveland Browns heading into training camp. They help set the initial expectations that fans have on certain players. Here is a summary of each of those polls for the special teams:

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53% of fans think one of the kickers in camp will win the job -- among that vote, 33% of it is represented by Carey Spear, and 21% represented by Travis Coons. 47% of fans believe the team will bring in somebody else after roster cuts are made. Heading into camp, that is what I went with. These youngsters are going to have to prove themselves with a great camp and a near-perfect preseason, otherwise Cleveland will turn to a veteran, perhaps even Garrett Hartley again. [Read Part 1 of the ST Preview]

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Most of the votes were cast for RB Duke Johnson (44%) or CB Justin Gilbert (30%). I feel more excited about Johnson because of the way he's been billed, and it's not the same as a player having to take awhile to adjust to fielding punts. I'm sure the coaches would like to get Gilbert involved in the game so he feels like a contributor, but Johnson might end up being better at the craft. Last year, we didn't know who would return kicks, and the team signed WR Marlon Moore near the start of camp and he ended up being the guy. We'll see what happens this year. [Read Part 2 of the ST Preview]