Under some fire around Northeast Ohio from both fans and media for two missed kicks in previous preseason games, kicker Cade York made three of five field goal attempts against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Misses in each of the first two preseason games have prompted speculation about competition with some demanding a replacement, but the team has remained steadfast in their support of their second-year kicker. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone spoke to Aditi Kinkhabwala heading into the half and said of York:
"He's so talented. He's a hard worker. He's been really consistent throughout training camp. I know we haven't had the results in these games that we have wanted., but he's stuck to his process so far and made both his kicks."
When speaking to the media, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has cited sample size when answering questions about York's misses in each of the previous two exhibition games.
York made his first three field goals, including two attempts from 43 and one from 37. With an opportunity to break an 18-18 tie, York missed a 47-yard attempt with the kick starting true only to push to the right. A penalty on the Eagles gave him another chance, this time at 41 yards, but he over corrected, this time pushing the kick slightly to the left.
After the first three kicks, things looked good for York, but with a pair of misses, missing two kicks that could've won the game will not stop speculation.
If the Browns were to decide York isn't the answer, they would likely wait until cutdown day when teams will have to decide on kicker competitions, bring in a handful of them to tryout, signing the best one. They don't seem to have any inclination to use a roster spot for an extra kicker, especially one that isn't likely to beat out York anyway for the sake of a meaningless competition.
To this point, the Browns continue to believe in York's talent and are going to allow him to try to find the consistency they need from him this season. The Browns still have one more preseason game and another three weeks of practice before they need to have a decision made when they open the season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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