Containing Knox will be critical

10.28.2009

Over the last 5 seasons, the Browns have been known for good special teams play.

During that same time period, another Midwestern NFL team has been forming its own identity on special teams.

When the Browns and Bears meet at Soldier Field Sunday, good coverage and blocking will be a must for both special teams units.

"On the teams, put whoever you want back there, whether it's (Johnny) Knox, (Devin) Hester, (Danieal) Manning, they can all score," said Browns head coach Eric Mangini. "Whether it's punt return, kick return, they can all score and they have. They all get opportunities. (Earl) Bennett's been back there a little bit too.

"That's probably going to be our biggest challenge to date from a special teams perspective and coverage unit perspective with the way that these guys can not only hit the return but also change field and make something happen," he added. "That's not necessarily the way it's drawn up."

Knox averages 29.0 yards on his 18 kickoff returns this season. In 3 of the Bears' 6 games, Knox has gained more than 100 yards on kickoff returns.

Neutralizing Knox's effectiveness in the kickoff return game will be important for limiting the Bears' momentum and keeping quarterback Jay Cutler on long fields.

"You've got to beat your guy," said Browns defensive back Nick Sorensen. "If they're staying on blocks, then he's going to get open, be able to make plays and get downfield. You've got to have good leverage and keep him contained. If he can get to the sidelines, he's gone."

During the early part of the season, Sorensen and Blake Costanzo were joined on the Browns' special teams units by Raymond Ventrone and Jason Trusnik.

Despite their late arrivals, Ventrone and Trusnik have been key contributors to a special teams unit that has limited opponents to 387 yards on 17 returns. The longest return the Browns have allowed was a 41-yarder to Minnesota's Percy Harvin on the third quarter kickoff in the regular season opener.

Conversely, the Bears have returned 27 kicks for 741 yards, including Knox's 102-yard touchdown against the Lions on October 4th.

"The Bears have a good special teams unit and what helps is they run around the field pretty hard," Trusnik said. "As a special teams unit, the Browns have got to stay in our lanes. We've got to keep him contained and each person doing their job will get it done."

"Overall, they're a physical group," said Ventrone. "You have to play with good leverage and be disciplined. You have to play hard and match their physicality on the teams unit. We're trying to be an elite special teams unit here and I think this will be a great test for us."