The Cleveland Browns will have a new kicker in Andrew Norwell, who is expected to make his first NFL start against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
While Norwell hasn’t made a lot of plays in his first two games, the Browns are excited about the potential in the 6-foot-4, 195-pounder.
“I think he’s a big body and we love the speed,” Browns head coach Hue Jackson said on Tuesday, per ESPN.com.
“I think when he’s on his game, he makes those big plays and he makes some big plays.
We’re looking forward to seeing him.”
The Browns are expected to use Norwell on the kickoff team and have been talking to him about playing against the Bengals, who are coming off a game in which they were shut out for a second straight week.
While Cleveland is one of the NFL’s best kicking teams, the Bengals are an average team in their own right and the Browns will likely be looking for more from their kickers.
Norwell, however, has done an excellent job of staying healthy over the last three seasons and has already had two games under his belt.
In the first four weeks of the 2017 season, Norwell made 36 of 37 field goals and made all seven extra point attempts in the Browns’ 22-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
In his first game with the Browns in 2018, Norwirth made a season-high 31 field goals, including a 54-yarder that beat the Colts.
Norwirts best effort came in the team’s 30-23 win over Detroit on Oct. 25.
He made two field goals in Cleveland’s 30, 29-yard and 28-yard kicks against the Colts in the final minutes of the 2018 season, making his first career field goal in that game.
“It’s a little disappointing not to be able to get it, but I’m going to be ready,” Norwirk said of not having a field goal.
“It’s all I know how to do and that’s what I’ll be working on, to be a good kicker and try to keep it going.
I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made.”
Norwirth also caught five passes for 54 yards against the Raiders in 2018.
In those four games, he made five of his seven field goal attempts, including all four extra point kicks, which tied for the fourth-best total in the NFL.
“When I get the opportunity to play against these guys I’m excited to be playing with them,” Norwood said.
“The last three weeks we’ve been playing against them really well.
They’re a team we’ve had to grind out, so it’s nice to get the start against them.”