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January 15, 2016
If the NFL Map Made Sense
January 15, 2016Chris Tabor officially has nine lives. In an era where head coaching changes typically result in a complete gut job of former assistants and coordinators, the Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator will officially be back for his sixth season and fourth different regime.
“I’m excited to be able to retain Chris Tabor as our Special Teams Coordinator,” newly signed head coach Hue Jackson said via press release. “Chris is an outstanding coach. He is incredibly knowledgeable and possesses the passion necessary to motivate his unit. They play hard and tough while paying attention to all the details and nuances that make the huge impact needed to win on special teams. Obviously, I’ve seen the success he’s had with the Browns special teams unit first hand in my time in this division. It’s a blessing to have him as a member of this high-quality staff we are in the process of building.”
Since Tabor’s arrival in 2011, the Browns lead the NFL in punt return average (11.3, despite an abysmal 2014), are tied for fifth in kickoff return average against (21.7) and are tied for sixth in punt return touchdowns (four). The Browns have won six AFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards from 2011-15.
Last season, Tabor guided a special teams unit that finished fourth in the NFL in punt return average (11.2), fifth in kickoff return yards (1,041) and fifth in total kick return yards (1,366). First-year kicker Travis Coons set an NFL record with 18 consecutive field goals to start his career. Punter Andy Lee set franchise best single-season marks in punt average (46.71) and net punt average (40.13). Punt returner Travis Benjamin finished third in the league in punt return average (11.6).
Tabor’s unit, however, underwent an extremely rough stretch in 2015 where placekicker Travis Coons had multiple attempts blocked due to a complete breakdown of the interior blocking unit. The first blocked field goal ended up being returned for what was a game-winning touchdown on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens. Having coached for Pat Shurmer (Tom Heckert), Rob Chudzinski (Mike Lombardi) and Mike Pettine (Ray Farmer), and having his contract expire following the 2015 season, odds of Tabor returning beyond last season were very slim. But if anyone was going to defy them, it was going to be the special teams chair who will now go to work under Jackson.
“My family and I really love it here in Cleveland,” Tabor said. “It’s great to be able to stay in one place for such a long period of time, keep your system in place and continue to coach some the same players. This is a great place to coach and I’m excited about working with Hue.”
20 Comments
Pure survivor
Tabor: ” Ok, I’ll stay, as long as I don’t have to put Erving on the line.”
Doesn’t bode well for Flip…..
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–mWfUK_m1–/dirjwlfjugw3bsidu4pl.jpg
Hopefully Hue mentioned that field goal unit’s issue of blocking.
Was it the interior blocking or Coons’s low trajectory, though?
(Note: Leaving this here if anyone’s interested.)
Hmm, interesting. Never heard of a running game coordinator before
https://twitter.com/christomasson/status/688038439804112896
Both?
Maybe phrasing to make the hire coordinator higher level then coach.
I’d actually like to see Flip and Conwell retained too. But with Jackson being an offense-oriented HC, I’d imagine he’ll bring in his own guys.
I like Tabor and am fine with this, but obviously some adjustments are necessary. I don’t think Coons has the leg for Cleveland, and low trajectory kicks contribute to blocks.
Next up: Keeping Flip
Maybe the story was translated into French and then translated back into English.
Phil Dawson had one of the worst legs for the first half of his time in CLE…. He matured a bit and was solid from 50+ (while is kickoffs never did that great)
There were 2 of them that the DL just shoved right past Cam Erving.
Coons should get credit for being dead-on money the first half of the year.
Given Hue’s comments about itching to play call, not sure that Cleveland’s still a good fit for Flip. Or that Hue even wants him. It’s the defensive coordinator that won’t be annoyed by the helicopter parent.
Fair point, although not all kickers improve like he did. I guess I don’t see Coons in practice to know what kind of raw strength he has.
No Tabor discussion is complete without the upside down visor pic!
http://wfny.shoutitoutdesign.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Untitled2.png
I would love to see Flip return. The offense wasn’t the issue last year.
sigh, negative usage of bode?
Hey, I’ve been called Chevy my whole life. Suck it up……
;>)