How will the Browns’ special teams units contain WR Chimere Dike?
The Browns’ kick return and punt return units have endured their struggles over the course of the season and will have a challenge ahead of them in Week 14 as they face Titans returner Chimere Dike.
“First off, great kid,” assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone said. “Really enjoyed coaching him that week at the Senior Bowl. Really, really good skill set, fast, good ball skills, good ball security. Very good vision. Has the ability to run every type of return out there. So, we will have to do a good job.”
This season, Dike has recorded 17 punt returns for 361 yards. He is averaged 21.2 yards per punt return, and his longest return of the season is for 90 yards. Dike has scored two touchdowns on punt returns this season. He also has 50 kickoff returns this season for 1,283 yards. His longest kickoff return was for 71 yards, and averages 25.6 yards per return.
The Browns have given up two touchdowns on special teams this season, as well as big returns. In Week 10, the Jets scored on a 99-yard kickoff return and a 74-yard punt return in the first quarter. Then in Week 14, they gave up a 66-yard punt return in the first quarter to set the 49ers’ offense up in a short field to score on their next drive.
“We need to just do a better job of making a tackle,” Ventrone said. “Even in the game, we have multiple bodies at the spot, at the point of attack. Just got to find a way to make a tackle and our players understand that. They know their responsibilities and what they’re asked to do. We just need to execute at a higher level.”