Head coach Freddie Kitchens appeared surprised by the developments when asked after practice if Gillan kicking was by design or just something the punter did on his own.
“I can’t confirm either way. I really can’t,” Kitchens said. “[The specialists] are over there doing their routine to get loose and stuff like that. I know I have seen him over there get his leg loose by swinging it – like when you hit those hole in ones, you have practice swings – to get his hips and legs loose. I do not know if that was the same type of thing. I have not seen the video or anything.”
Gillan, dubbed ‘The Scottish Hammer,’ blasted footballs using a kicking holder from as far away as 60 yards towards the net protecting the Browns training facility – and he was making them, with ease. A 49-yard try from the right hashmark hit the net mere feet from the top. He followed up with a 47-yard boot from the left hash and made it with ease.
“I did not even know he can kick field goals,” Kitchens said. “If he is out there kicking 60 yarders, hell, he may get a chance. If you can kick a 60 yarder, your ass is going to get a chance.”
Gillan’s cannon of a leg has been on display during camp. He crushed a 74-yard punt against the Colts Saturday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium and launched his fair share of boomers during practice, but it appears unlikely he’ll unseat veteran Britton Colquitt.
With the kicking competition between Greg Joseph and fifth-round pick Austin Seibert being unimpressive, maybe giving Gillan, who only made 61 percent of his field goal tries at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a look might not be a bad idea.
“I know we all looked at him as a punter, but things change,” Kitchens said. “It may have changed today. I do not know. Hopefully, they have it on video.”
“I told those guys the other day, we have five practices and two games [before the regular season],” Kitchens said. “If that is too much pressure for you, then you are probably in the wrong business. Everything we have done is to try to prepare them for that situation and try to put pressure on them in the midst of practice.”
Kitchens made it clear that a lot can change over the next 10 days.
“Can someone go from on the team to off the team in five practices and two games? Of course,” Kitchens said. “Can someone go from off the team to on the team? Of course. Can somebody go from a backup to a starter? Yes.”
Austin Corbett, who entered camp as the favorite has not gotten any reps with the first team in over three weeks. He continues to work at backup center, including during scout team work.
After practice they presented Kitchens and quarterback Baker Mayfield with their own Blue Jackets jerseys.
Kitchens enjoyed the Blue Jackets’ playoff run, which brought back memories for him, earlier this year.
“I knew the run that they went on was very impressive, and it really reminded of the run that we went on in Arizona when we went to the NFC Championship game,” Kitchens said. “We really did not know if they were going to do very much once they got in the playoffs, and they just go on a run there. I was very excited watching it. I used to go watch the Coyotes when I was in Arizona some.
“I like hockey. I do not really follow all the rules yet. Although, it tends to never matter that I still watch it and I do not really care to learn the rules. I just like the fact that what they do is impressive. Have you ever tried to ice skate? I have been on skates. That is the reason why it is so impressive. Are you serious at what they do? It is unbelievable.”
“It may be the flu or something. I am not sure,” Kitchens said. “He was not feeling really well. It started last night and carried over to today.”