Kitchens get patience test with kickers
Browns have talked about bringing in some kicking competition.
CLEVELAND — Freddie Kitchens is losing his patience with the Browns kicking game, but is willing to wait for his starting right guard to emerge.
“We need somebody that can put the ball between the two yellow poles,’’ Kitchens said on a conference call Sunday.
Greg Joseph missed a 53-yarder wide right and rookie Austin Seibert sailed a 52-yarder wide left in Saturday’s 21-18 victory over the Colts in the second preseason game.
“Those guys are continuing to work,’’ he said. “We put together two good drives before halftime the last two weeks, and one we got a penalty the end of the half the first week and weren’t able to even attempt a field goal, and this week we did well until we got down there and we had a penalty that put it from a 40-yarder to a 53-yarder.
“To me, those critical errors are just as important as the missed field goals themselves because we’ve got to put them in a better position to make them. But are they expected to make a 53-yard field goal? Yes they are. Am I concerned about it? No, because we’re not playing for real yet, but I will be.’’
Kitchens acknowledged that he and GM John Dorsey have discussed bringing in some new kicking competition to press Joseph and Seibert.
Here are other takeaways from the conference call:
1. Drew Forbes picking up steam
Sixth-round pick Drew Forbes is catching the eye of the coaches, and appears to be emerging as a strong candidate to start at right guard.
“He’s getting better,’’ said Kitchens. “He’s getting more comfortable. He’s in the mix and we’ll see where it goes.’’
Forbes worked at both right and left guard against the Colts, and is coming up the learning curve quickly.
“You see Drew getting better,’’ Kitchens said. “Even during the course of Wednesday’s practice, you saw him getting better. He got better as the game went on.’’
2. Austin Corbett not out of the mix
He said the 2018 No. 33 overall pick hasn’t been ruled out at right guard despite the fact he hasn’t practiced there much the past few weeks. In the game, he played backup center from midway through the first quarter on.
“We have to have somebody that snaps the ball and not leave JC Tretter on the field the whole game,” said Kitchens. “Right now, Austin is working at center. We are working a couple of other guys at center.
“If you ever have somebody that can play all three (positions), you are kind of ahead of the game.”
3. Enough bodies at running back
Kitchens said he doesn’t feel compelled to add a running back despite the fact Dontrell Hilliard suffered a hamstring injury against the Colts.
“No, I think we’re good,’’ he said. “We’re always on the lookout for guys. Open line of communication between John and his staff and me, but we don’t feel a sense of urgency right now to do anything.’’
Kareem Hunt, coming off a groin injury, played about 14 snaps and could play more in Tampa.
4. Not the dress rehearsal game
Don’t expect the starters to play three quarters in Tampa on Friday night like they have in past “dress rehearsal’’ third preseason games over the years.
“I look at it as part of the process of getting ready for the season,’’ said Kitchens. “I’m not sold on the dress rehearsal thing. I look at it as another opportunity to try to go out and get better and compete.’’
Some players such as Odell Beckham Jr. (hip) might not play at all.
5. Scottish Hammer’s booming punt
Kitchens wasn’t dazzled by Jamie Gillan’s 74-yard punt because it didn’t have good hang time.
“First of all, it’s incredible,’’ he said. “It’s a great kick. I’d love it if we were running a competition to see how far we could kick the ball.’’