In-depth Analysis: Jets-Browns Hall of Fame

Over the course of today, we'll be breaking down the performance of every player that took the field in the Jets' preseason game against the Browns. We'll continue now with the defense and look at special teams later on.

Kicking Game

Greg Zuerlein looked great in the first half, as he comfortably made four kicks, including 53 and 54-yard field goals. He also kicked off four times, with one touchback and three laid up short of the goalline. He didn't get to kick at all after half time, though.

Punter Thomas Morstead had a solidly consistent day. All five of his punts went for between 47 and 52 yards and the only long return was negated by a holding penalty.

The Jets presumably aren't going to bring in any competition or "camp legs" unless they need to.

Return Game

Undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson was the first return man to get a chance which bodes well for his roster chances. The fact he muffed his very first opportunity out of bounds inside the 10 does not, though. He made up for it with a nice kickoff return out near midfield, though. EJ Jenkins had the key block on that play but was perhaps lucky not to get called for a block in the back.

Veteran Alex Erickson helped his chances by fielding a bouncing punt well and slipping a tackle to create nine yards out of nothing and then again broke a tackle on a nice 36-yard punt return that gave the Jets a shot at a late comeback.

Kick Coverage

The Jets did some good work in kick and punt coverage but it was a variety of players contributing rather than one or two standouts. In fact, 10 Jets players were each credited with one special teams tackle. The numbers were good too, as the Browns averaged under 21 yards per kickoff return and had just 10 return yards on five punts.

Malik Taylor had perhaps the most impressive play in coverage as he lined up as a gunner and blew past his man to blow up the return for no gain.

Chazz Surratt also made a good tackle on a punt, cleaning up after Maalik Hall and Kenny Yeboah missed their tackles but slowed up the return man. Brandin Echols also made a good tackle on a kickoff while both Will McDonald and Irvin Charles were in on a special teams tackle but also had a missed tackle.

Dane Cruikshank got downfield well from the gunner position to blow up a punt return and although he didn't finish the tackle, this set up Jamien Sherwood to make the stop. Marquis Waters also missed a tackle in coverage.

Claudin Cherelus, Deslin Alexandre and Ashtyn Davis were also credited with special teams stops.