Andrew Berry appeared on the Cleveland Browns‘ local TV broadcast of their final preseason game.
By then, Cade York had shanked an extra point, although a penalty negated the play.
Berry reinforced his confidence in York, who supported his GM’s confidence with a blocked game-winning field goal.
And head coach Kevin Stefanski followed that up by opening the door to obtaining a new kicker.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski does not commit to K Cade York when asked if he expected York to be the kicker week one: “Yeah, I think all those types of things, as you know, we always keep those internal as we get through this week. But I’ll reiterate I think Cade is very, very…
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 27, 2023
Reporters asked Stefanski after the game if York would be his Week 1 kicker.
Stefanski, while saying York has their confidence, would not commit to his struggling player.
Cleveland lost 2 preseason games by 2 or fewer points and tied a third.
York missed a field goal in each of those games.
Cleveland Can’t Afford a Weak Link
It is not unusual for kickers to hit slumps and for the team to allow them to kick their way out of it.
But Cleveland has a unique schedule this year that starts with 3 division games in the first 4 weeks.
The fourth game is against a team anticipated to compete with the Browns for an AFC Wild Card spot.
Losing 3 of those 4 by fewer than 3 points due to missed Cade York field goals could cost some jobs.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski said on Cade York’s blocked kick “didn’t hit it like we want it to”….”each one of our players will continue to work to get better”
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 27, 2023
Besides that, York’s clutch-points issue is not new this preseason.
Cleveland lost several games last year in which a missed field goal or extra point was the difference.
With the NFL’s cut day coming on Tuesday, Berry will watch the waiver and cut lists closely.
Someone who loses a close competition might be a better option than a free agent this close to opening day.
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