CLEVELAND — The Browns' regular season is less than two weeks away, and the final 53-man roster will be determined by Saturday, and it's largely set, except for that pesky position that will determine whether they win or lose close games -- kicker. Rookie Austin Seibert has no experience and an already sketchy track record with the Browns. Greg Joseph has also struggled in camp and in his preseason outings.
What are the Browns' options beyond those two?
CALL THEM NOW
Matt Bryant
The 44-year-old former Falcons kicker had a strong 2018 season, making 20 of his 21 field goal attempts. Over his 17-year career, Bryant has made 86.2 percent of his field goals, the eighth-best in the NFL. Making 98.8 percent of his attempted extra points, Bryant ranks in the top 20 for the number of extra points made. After being released by the Falcons during this offseason for no apparent reason, the Browns would be smart to consider him as an option. Interestingly, Browns special teams coach Mike Priefer coached Bryant with the Giants in 2003.
Kai Forbath
Forbath had brief stints with the Cowboys and Buccaneers in 2012 before being picked up by the Redskins that year. In his three seasons with Washington, Forbath had an explosive start to his career. By the end of his first season, Forbath set the NFL record for consecutive field goals to begin a career, with 17 in a row. With a career-long 57-yard field goal, two NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award and multiple game-winning field goals under his belt, Forbath could bring the Browns the talent, and more importantly, the clutchness they’ve been missing. Another Priefer connection: he coached Forbath when he was on the Vikings' staff.
KEEP HIM IN MIND
Mike Nugent
After his one-year contract with the Raiders expired, the Ohio native is back on the market. Nugent, 37, grew up in Centerville, Ohio and later played for the Ohio State Buckeyes under Jim Tressel from 200-2004. During his four-year career at Ohio State, Nugent broke or tied 22 school records, including most points in a career by any player at Ohio State with 356. In 2004 he received the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top college placekicker. In his 14-year career, Nugent has played with the Jets, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Bengals, Cowboys and the Bears. Despite injuries and rough patches, Nugent could provide the Browns with veteran consistency at the position.
WE CAN DREAM
Phil Dawson
Dawson, who signed a contract with the Browns earlier this month in order to retire with the team, is a Cleveland legend. The 44-year-old kicker, who was originally signed by the Browns in 1999, won the placekicking job during training camp. He stayed with the team through the 2012 season before his stints with the 49ers and the Cardinals. Dawson holds team records for most career field goals, highest career field goal percentage, most field goals in a season, most consecutive field goals made and most consecutive games with a field goal, in addition to others. In 2012, Dawson became the only Browns kicker to be selected to the Pro Bowl.
Since his return to Cleveland, many fans have been calling for Dawson to forget about his retirement for one more season and kick for the Browns. Unless John Dorsey can convince him to throw the cleats on one last time, it's best not to get your hopes up, although sometimes it’s nice to dream.
LET'S MAKE SOME HISTORY
Thank you to the @Eagles for having me out! Thanks to @JustinTuck @jake_elliott22 @MayorRandyBrown for the good time and tips! 🏈 🎯 #55yd pic.twitter.com/owZ16f46Th
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) August 20, 2019
Carli Lloyd
Wouldn’t it be cool to have the Browns at the forefront of history? That’s what signing the United States women’s national soccer team star would do for the Browns. Lloyd has been in the headlines over the past week after she went viral for making a 55-yard field goal at an Eagles training session. According to a report from FOX Sports, multiple teams have shown interest in Lloyd since seeing her video, and one team even presented her an opportunity to be part of the roster and see actual game time. The main argument against the 37-year-old soccer legend joining the NFL is her size. At 5’8” and just 140 pounds, it would be hard for her to take hits—or dish them out. The thing about that is, when do you ever see a kicker making huge tackles anyway? (Hint: not often.)
Yes, we know she’s never played in the league and we’re looking for experience, but the Browns are a team that likes to take chances on players and Cleveland loves the underdog so, hey, how about at least a tryout?
RELATED: Kicker Phil Dawson dons orange and brown one last time, will retire as a Cleveland Brown
