Bubba Ventrone Gives Answers on Return Game

Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone spoke to the media on Thursday. He answered questions about the return game and new kicker Dustin Hopkins.

Game week has officially arrived for the entire NFL and your Cleveland Browns. The opening game of each week isn't the only cool thing happening on Thursdays. Thursday throughout the season will also feature an opportunity to hear from the Browns coordinators during regular game weeks.

For anyone who follows the Browns closely, you know that head coach Kevin Stefanski doesn't give much away during his media availability sessions with reporters. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz offer a different experience than the always polished and guarded Stefanski.

 With that said let's take a look at what answers were given by Bubba Ventrone during week-one.

Bubba Ventrone- Special Teams Coordinator

Ventrone started off the coordinator interviews and was asked about many topics related to his unit. He was asked about new kicker Dustin Hopkins and Ventrone expressed his excitement to work with the veteran who he considers a true professional and very detail oriented.

#Browns Bubba Ventrone on having to switch from K Cade York to Dustin Hopkins pic.twitter.com/io0OoOtLV0

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 7, 2023

He was also asked questions about the return game and offered some details as to who we can expect to see returning kicks on Sunday. He said that after Jakeem Grant was lost for the year that it is time for someone now to step up. He seems to like Jerome Ford's ability to do exactly that. He described Ford as having great vision and contact-balance while running with toughness.

Ventrone said that on Fridays he shows high school highlights from one of his players at the end of his meetings. He plans to show Jerome Ford's tomorrow. "It's probably the best highlight film I've seen in the last six years." 

In punt return discussion he said that Donovan Peoples-Jones would be the primary returner and praised him for his ability to track the football. He also noted that Elijah Moore practices fielding punts regularly and seeing him back to return punts occasionally isn't out of the question.

Ventrone also offered up an answer to a great question from WEWS reporter Camryn Justice on how he keeps young players at the bottom of the roster motivated to  play well on special teams. You can watch his response below. 

Asked #Browns STC Bubba Ventrone about his message to young and fringe players who made the roster as they enter Week 1.

"When you make plays on teams, then it's noticed, and then a lot of times you're going to get more opportunities offensively and defensively." pic.twitter.com/xkh4WiiT2o

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) September 7, 2023