Professional Bowl Snub? Browns P Corey Bojorquez talks to DBN about being left off the checklist

When sure gamers out of your favourite staff don’t make the Professional Bowl, it’s like when your son or daughter isn’t taking part in shortstop for his or her baseball or softball staff and also you need solutions as to why not.

The Cleveland Browns had three gamers make this yr’s Professional Bowl: CB Denzel Ward (his fourth), DE Myles Garrett (6x), and the primary for WR Jerry Jeudy.

A number of Browns gamers had been left off that had an distinctive yr. Most notable, was punter Corey Bojorquez.

With punting stats, there are seven main classes and a handful of minor stats such because the variety of blocked kicks. With these seven, Bojorquez was ranked #1 in 4. But, his identify was left off the AFC Professional Bowl. Why?

The AFC’s punter voted in is Logan Cooke of the Jacksonville Jaguars, his first accolade. The NFC punter chosen is the Detroit Lions’ Jack Fox, his second post-season honor.

Fox’s common yards per punt was 51.0. Cooke’s was 49.3. Bojo’s common was additionally 49.3.

Bojorquez was ranked #1 in: Most punts – 89; Longest punt – 84 yards; Complete yards – 4,387; and Web yards – 3,717.

The distinction with the 2 AFC kickers was Cooke’s Web Common was 44.8 yards in comparison with Bojo’s 41.8 yards. Fox led the league on this class with a 46.2-yard common. Bojorquez’s 84-yarder towards the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 beat his private better of 82 yards.

Photograph by G Fiume/Getty Photos

What can actually damage a punter’s internet common is how his staff’s offense performs. If a staff frequently stalls out round midfield, a choice should be made to aim a long-field purpose, go for the primary down, or convey within the punter. The punter’s job then is to not increase it 60 yards into the again of the tip zone, however to attempt to have the ball relaxation between the 10-yard line and the purpose line. This implies a pooch kick is important and is a a lot shorter kick than regular – on goal.

If profitable, the opposing staff’s offense is pinned down which suggests they all of a sudden have a really lengthy distance in an try to attain some factors. However the purposeful quick punt hurts the punter’s internet common. When a punter has 4 punts in a single sport properly over 55 yards every after which one pooch kick for 32 yards, it hurts the punter’s stats however helps his staff.

Browns Professional Bowl alternates:

G Joel Bitonio
P Corey Bojorquez
RB Nick Chubb
TE David Njoku
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
G Wyatt Teller

Being named an alternate just isn’t like being voted to the Professional Bowl. The yr earlier than, Bojorquez had the fourth most punts (87) within the NFL and fifth most that dropped contained in the 20 (31).

Bojo’s spouse Diana had simply given start to their second daughter, so between diaper modifications Dawgs By Nature’s Barry Shuck caught up with Bojorquez to debate the Professional Bowl.

DBN: This yr, your numbers improved and in reality, you had been ranked #1 in 4 punting classes however had been tied for eighth on common. Is that this what the voters are taking a look at?

Bojorquez: That’s undoubtedly one thing that stands out. The league is so much completely different now than after I first got here in seven years in the past. The common I’ve now years in the past would have been prime two or three. However these youthful guys are popping out with larger legs to the place a 50-yard common is simply common. It was once a loopy factor if somebody did that. It’s important to be larger than that if you wish to be acknowledged. And other people see {that a} 50-yard common isn’t what it was once anymore. It’s nonetheless spectacular don’t get me improper.

Corey Bojorquez lowkey simply received us that soccer sport

— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) September 15, 2024

DBN: You had a terrific yr. Some say you boot it to this point you outkick your protection. Why is that this true or not true?

Bojorquez: All of it relies on the grasp time, the situation, and the way the returner is. Some guys are simply higher than others in case you are in that 65, 70-yard punt with low grasp time to somebody like Denver’s returner. He’s going to make you pay for it. There are different guys who’re extra sure-handed that basically don’t have that top-end pace the place you may get away with it, however he’s nonetheless an NFL returner so that you don’t need to likelihood it. And the winds in a stadium. Typically you may actually get into it and it simply carries the ball and you bought it farther than you meant to. A superb location is one thing you may make up for should you get it actually near the sideline. Plenty of components that go into it.

Editor’s notice: Denver’s punt returner Marvin Mims, Jr. is the AFC’s return specialist within the Professional Bowl

DBN: You’ve got had a brand new particular groups coach these previous two seasons in Coach Bubba Ventrone. He is named probably the greatest. How is he completely different than former Particular Groups Coordinator Mike Priefer earlier than him?

Bojorquez: Everybody has their very own strategy to go about issues. To every their very own. I don’t see the place one is true or one is improper. Prief is a army man, so he likes to run a decent ship and runs issues his approach. He desires his guys to do sure issues. Some people who works and a few individuals it doesn’t. It labored tremendous with me. I all the time had powerful teaching rising up so it wasn’t something new to me. And whereas Coach Bubba is a very powerful coach with excessive expectations, he provides us specialists free vary to do what we have to do to prepare. This enables us to have the ability to get into a superb rhythm. So, it’s been actually helpful.

Photograph by Nick Cammett/Diamond Photos by way of Getty Photos

DBN: One of many classes you completed in first place is the longest punt for this previous season. Within the Raiders sport, you launched an 84-yarder. We’d ask if there have been tropical storm circumstances that day, however that was kicked indoors.

Bojorquez: It’s important to benefit from these indoor video games for certain. In that stadium, there’s a little elevation there. For no matter purpose this yr, I’m getting just a few further yards on the ball. When the returner determined to not catch it, it shot ahead. It went like 70 or 75 yards within the air after which rolled the remainder of the best way. It got here off good like a pure golf shot.

DBN: Your safety blanket has all the time been the certain factor named Charley Hughlett at lengthy snapper, then he turned injured and was misplaced of the yr. How tough is it for a veteran punter like your self to all of a sudden should cope with a brand new go from a brand new man on punts?

Bojorquez: The psychological strategy I’ve had and gotten into the final yr or two, is to concentrate on what I can management. And be okay with what’s given to me. Since I’ve been within the league I’ve had fairly just a few completely different snappers. At LA we had two snappers, Inexperienced Bay two snappers. I’ve labored with a handful of men and everyone seems to be a bit of bit completely different. I had one lefty in there and that’s completely different, too. I simply attempt to not give it some thought an excessive amount of. Timing is a bit of completely different from snapper to snapper. Charley is in a league of his personal. I simply go get extra reps and discover that rhythm.

DBN: For a punt, the place would you like the snapper to put the ball for you?

Bojorquez: I’m not too choosy. If I can catch it with out transferring an excessive amount of, I’m good. In an ideal world, it’s mid-thigh to chest ideally on my left thigh. It needs to be a very dangerous snap for me to complain about it.

DBN: Because the holder on placement kicks, is it true Hughlett sends the go the place you don’t should spin the laces?

Bojorquez: That’s the purpose. Charley is about 99%. That’s most likely the tougher factor to get down for a snapper as a result of a part of it’s the place I’m catching it precisely. If he modifies one factor or I alter one thing it will probably throw that off. It’s very minute modifications that make it proper.

Photograph by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Put up

DBN: How choosy are kickers with the angle of the ball if you place it down for discipline targets and PATs?

Bojorquez: It relies on the kicker. Some guys will preserve the identical lean regardless and a few will need to change it relying on what the wind is doing. Some guys need the laces to face the goalposts each time. Different guys are attempting to goal two yards proper of middle and can need the ball to be aimed there so you may observe the road on the again of the ball. It simply varies from kicker to kicker.

DBN: In your final sport towards the Ravens, you had an uncharacteristic punt that solely went 26 yards. We’ve got no clue what occurred. The TV man says it goes off the facet of your foot. What actually occurs?

Bojorquez: That was a type of that you simply attempt too arduous and it doesn’t provide help to. We had the wind to our again and was pondering I used to be about to crush this factor. I acquired off my regular rhythm and didn’t exhibit essentially. By doing that, I tensed up a bit of bit which created a bit of cross swing with my leg that may throw off my foot about an inch or so. So as an alternative of the ball hitting the middle of my laces, it hit a bit of over to the facet and acquired pushed off that approach. Typically the wind will fade the ball to the facet. It was a superb reminder to stay to my routine.

Photograph by Nick Cammett/Diamond Photos by way of Getty Photos

DBN: Moreover the Browns, you’ve got punted for 3 NFL golf equipment which all are cold-weather cities. On actually chilly days, do you must do something completely different?

Bojorquez: I simply exit in pregame warmups and see what the flags are doing, and what I’m feeling. In my warmups, I’m taking part in it out, if I goal the ball right here the place does it play out to? Figuring it out at what line am I going to hit that plus-50 ball from the again spinning one. I preserve it quite simple: the wind is on this route, I really feel this, that is how I’m going to play it. And simply go away it at that.

DBN: Within the stadium, former Browns kicker Phil Dawson put in a flag to find out wind pace. Do you ever use that that will help you kick?

Bojorquez: I see it on the market and I have a look at it to see what it’s doing in comparison with different flags. However I haven’t actually sat down and talked with him about it. When Cade (York) was right here he had talked to Phil and was attempting to inform me a bit of bit. I’m not an skilled on what it’s doing to have an effect on my sport. And it could possibly be completely different for discipline targets versus punts as a result of my ball goes so much larger than a discipline purpose’s. The wind will be affected in another way at that peak.

RELATED: PHIL DAWSON INTERVIEW

DBN: Should you had such an amazing yr and didn’t make the Professional Bowl, what’s it going to take?

Bojorquez: In my eyes what stood out with Logan, was his common. It’s like 44 yards which is admittedly excessive. Kicking in Cleveland it’s actually arduous generally. There are some good climate video games and different occasions it raining and the wind is howling. Jacksonville is in Florida the place they’re recognized for lots of sunny days even within the later months. Jack (Fox) performs for a staff that has an indoor stadium so the circumstances are all the time nice. On paper, 4 yards appears higher. You don’t actually know the way circumstances are actually taken into it – which is ok. Logan is a good punter – he’s who I voted for. Jack was the one one who was higher with common than Logan, however he performed in 14 indoor video games this yr. That’s what I’d anticipate Jack to do in a state of affairs like that. It’s what it’s.

RELATED: BROWNS OFFENSIVE MVP – COREY BOJORQUEZ

DBN: All specialists are in your personal fraternity the place you by no means speak dangerous about one another and are all the time serving to guys out despite the fact that they’re attempting to take your spot. Why is that?

Bojorquez: That has all the time been my strategy to it. This was the primary season the place I didn’t have any competitors. In a sport, we aren’t straight competing towards one another. You need them to do properly simply not win. I would like this man to make 4 discipline targets however beat them by 4 touchdowns. I would like the punter to have an amazing sport, however I additionally need us to get a variety of return yards on him. So far as competitors, it’s out of my arms. That’s as much as the staff and the individuals upstairs. I would like the man who I’m competing towards to do his finest as a result of I would like my finest to beat that.

DBN: What are your ideas concerning the Browns attempting to construct a brand new domed stadium in Brook Park?

Bojorquez: I’m by no means going to complain about an indoor stadium. There’s something to be mentioned about indoors. There’s a little little bit of a bonus over different specialists that should cope with the weather. I beat my career-long in an indoor stadium.

Photograph by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Photos

DBN: This season within the Pittsburgh Steelers sport within the snow. You’ve got kicked in Inexperienced Bay and Buffalo. What’s it like taking part in soccer within the snow?

Bojorquez: It’s higher than rain, I’ll inform you that. It’s chilly. It’s that conventional fall time, early winter climate. Stuff like if you had been a child rising up. That was solely my second time ever taking part in in that a lot snow the opposite being in Inexperienced Bay. Even in Buffalo, we had some flurries throughout video games however nothing like what we had towards the Steelers. It was a enjoyable expertise. Traction wasn’t a problem for me. It might have been for the kickers as a result of they plant so much tougher. I didn’t have to alter cleats. Some guys do and could also be extra of a psychological factor, however I’ve all the time simply caught with my soccer cleats.

DBN: You might be getting into the ultimate yr of your contract. Any speak of an extension?

Bojorquez: Nothing but. They’ve so much occurring constructing the roster and the draft arising. Clearly, I wish to get one finished within the low season. In an ideal world that may be nice. Get one thing long-term as an alternative of preserve doing these two-year offers. It’s higher for household stability and never have to fret about having to maneuver. I’m assured that after subsequent season we are going to get one thing finished. My household loves it right here. This place is nice. We’ve got made some pals exterior of labor that we get pleasure from spending time with. Elevating our youngsters right here.

DBN: Typically in a sport, the offense will stall out close to midfield and the coach sends out the punter and desires a pooch kick that may hopefully be downed contained in the 10-yard line. However for you the punter, which means you might be purposely kicking the ball quick which hurts your common however helps your staff. Appropriate?

Bojorquez: That occurred within the Raiders sport. I had 5 punts, three from open discipline and one other from their 40-yard line that was downed contained in the 5. Should you take that one punt out with my different 4 kicks, I’d have had nearly a 70-yard common. It dropped it down which was nonetheless actually excessive.

Editor’s notice: Towards the Raiders, Bojo’s 5 punts had been 60, 37, 61, 74, and 84 yards for a 63.2 common. Take the 37-yarder out and the typical would have been 69.75 yards, an unheard-of quantity.

Photograph by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos

DBN: Cooke was named the AFC punter, however you tied him on common. He had fewer complete yards, 21 fewer punts, shorter punts, fewer touchbacks, and fewer punts contained in the 20. He was additionally not ranked Number one in any class whereas you had been in 4 classes. Inform me a superb purpose why we’re not calling to congratulate you on making your first Professional Bowl.

Bojorquez: I assumed I had an opportunity this yr however by means thought it was a lock. There have been some video games by which I had some good punts, however within the final sport towards the Ravens, it wasn’t all good. In case you have that in Prime Time video games it stands out a bit of extra. It might be a state of affairs like that the place in the primary video games I didn’t have my finest sport. That’s what everybody who votes is seeing. They’ll solely vote for you by what they see as a result of we as gamers don’t watch each sport.