When discussing special teams, beat reporters at most may mention the Kicker, Punter, Snapper or Returners (if even that). I figured it might be enlightening to look a little deeper, and try to understand the competitions going on at the rest of the special teams ‘starting’ positions. What I would consider being a special teams ‘starter’: 1) 4 Core. Punt Coverage, Punt Return, Kickoff Coverage, and Kickoff Return comprise the Core 4 special teams. A player contributing on all of those is called a 4 Core player, and is what I’d consider a ‘starter’ on Special teams. - Safeties and Linebackers make up the bulk of the 4 core players, often playing along the lines for coverage teams and blocking for kick returns. Sometimes you’ll see Fullbacks or Tight Ends here as well. This is where most of the competition is. - CB’s and WR’s usually round out the list of 4 Core players, contributing more as Gunners, Jammers or Returners, and compete against each other for spots. 2) Specialists. The specialists are more visible, and traditionally known positions like Placekicker, Punter, Holder, Long Snapper and Kickoff Specialist. Only Punter is really a competition this year, with Purdum and Folk locked in as starters. Other players, and even other positions, may contribute on ST’s. It may be on 1 or 2 of the Core 4, or FG team, hands team, etc, but I wouldn’t consider those contributors as ST starters, and won’t go into much detail there. So who was starting preseason week 1? Bellore, Edds, Troy Davis, and Rontez Miles started on all 4 Core ST’s, and played the entire first half. Allen, Bush, and Cumberland played on 3 of the 4 Core. Lankster and Hakim were the starting Gunners on both Kickoff and Punt teams. Lankster also played Jammer on the Punt Return. Many of the rookies were out there with the 2nd team ST’s. It will be interesting to see how our ST starters change between now and the Giants game. As roster choices get tougher, I think more of the rookies will be given a look to see if they can earn a spot on the 53. For instance: Reilly or IK could push Troy Davis, George can push Edds, and Dixon can push Hakim for Gunner. If anyone interested in more detail, I’ll post the starters for each unit against Indy in this thread, and note any highlight those units had on the night (once i get a little time)..
Punt team week 1: Line: LT McIntire, LG Bellore, LS Purdum, RG Edds, RT Davis Wings: Miles, Allen Punt Protector (Upback): Bush Gunners: Lankster, Hakim Punter: Quigley - Quigley had 39yd average night punting - Davis and Lankster with crushing hit in first half 2nd half - Bellore with tackle (IK there as well). Bellore a lock to make this team. - IK with an offsides penalty - Schum with 45 yd punt, and 39 yd punt which dropped at the 10. Decent 2 punts.
I dunno about Quigley. Seems he's been the weak link now for quite awhile. While I realize Punters don't grow on trees, I find it hard to believe we haven't found a decent punter since Weatherford. Hopefully Schum replaces this knucklehead and gives the Jets better position after a punt. On a sidenote, I don't know why the NFL insists on fiddling with this part of the game. I hate the six zillion touchbacks per game since they moved the kickoff line 5 yds forward. I REALLY HATE the new extra point gimmick they're testing. The two point conversion was fine and innovative. This extra point from the 40 just seems like an afterthought or change for the sake of change.
It's getting really stupid. Special Teams used to be PERFECT until they dicked around with it. It gave games that extra X factor that wasn't just offense and defense, not to mention it was exciting. Now there's talk of effectively getting rid of half those things. If they take away kicking from the game, then I propose we call this game soccer since there will no longer be any element of the "foot" in "football". I guess they just want to turn the NFL into the game of Madden for all those people who can't understand other aspects of the game.
Punt Return Week 1: Line: Troy Davis, Edds, Cumberland, Bellore, David Nelson LB: Josh Bush Jammers: Kyle Wilson, Miles, Allen, Lankster Returner: Saunders - was surprised to see David Nelson rushing punts - Saunders had only 2 returnable punts, 5.5yd avg. rest were fair caught or sent out of bounds. - Jammers are the versatile chess pieces on the punt return. the Punt situation usually dictates where they line up. on a long field, can be dropped off to play Upback. for extra punt block pressure, they'll line up on the ends or come up the middle. or they may line up as another LB to play the fake. so sometimes you'll notice 2 Jammers lined up on the Gunner, other times only 1. - McDougle, Dixon, and Jarrett, and Ras I saw time at Jammer with the 2nd team
Kickoff Coverage Week 1: I'll list the kickoff coverage positions as follows: L5 L4 L3 L2 L1 K R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 L5 Dixon L4 Lankster (Gunner) L3 Edds L2 Davis L1 Miles K Folk R1 Bush R2 Cumberland R3 Bellore R4 Hakim (Gunner) R5 Kyle Wilson The Gunners appear to line up in that 4 slot (second to sideline). They go straight to the football. The 5 slot has contain responsibility, ie setting the edge - Folk sent the ball out of the endzone, 9 yds deep, and 8 yds deep on his kicks, so not much return action per usual kickoff legs are usually fresh early in season with nice weather. i hate the rule change kicking from the 35 - Miles had the lone tackle with first team - 2nd team Quigley kicked off. sent it 8 yds deep - IK with a nice pop, and Chad Young finishing the tackle
Kick Return week 1: Front Line: Jarrett, Allen, Edds, Miles, Davis Second Line: Bellore, Cumberland Wedge: Douzable, Amaro Upback: Green Returner: Ford All touchbacks with first team (boring) Hakim with a 13 yd return on the 2nd team
*Names in italics were changes from week 1 Punt team week 2: (first team) Line: LT Bellore, LG Reilly, LS Purdum, RG Edds, RT Davis Wings: Miles, Pryor Punt Protector (Upback): Bush Gunners: Hakim, Ford Punter: Quigley - Reilly in for the injured Cumberland - Pryor in coverage action with first team, and also as Punt Protector with the second team - Ford tried out as Gunner. Was knocked down on one attempt - Reilly whiffed on one tackle. Pryor, Bush and Bellore with first team tackles - Pryor, Hakim, IK, and Enunwa with second team tackles - Quigley 47yd avg, Schumm 36yd avg Punt Return Week 2: (first team) Line: Troy Davis, Edds, Sudfeld, Bellore, David Nelson LB: Josh Bush Jammers: Kyle Wilson, Miles, Allen, Lankster Returner: Kerley - Nothing of note regarding returns - Pryor played the LB role with the second team - Ford at punt returner with second team - IK had a holding penalty with second team, and later a beauty of a blocked punt/safety
*Names in italics were changes from week 1 Kickoff Coverage Week 2: (first team) L5 Pryor L4 Dixon (Gunner) L3 Edds L2 Davis L1 Miles K Folk R1 Bush R2 Reilly R3 Bellore R4 Hakim (Gunner) R5 Kyle Wilson - Folk intentionally kicking shorter, so coaches could better analyze the coverage - Reilly seeing first team reps had a nice tackle/forced fumble - Pryor saw time with first and second team - Dixon tried out in Gunner slot with first team (typically Lankster) - Enunwa with impressive tackle with second team, shedding blocker - Quigley showed nice range on kickoffs again with second team Kick Return week 1: (first team) Front Line: Miles, Davis, Edds, Jarrett, Enunwa Second Line: Bellore, Sudfeld Wedge: Douzable, Amaro Upback: Green Returner: Ford - 23 yd avg on returns for Ford - Enunwa seeing action with first team, filling in Allen’s spot
I thought I had already mentioned this, but great thread. And I just don't like Quigley. Westhoff was such a stubborn guy letting Weatherford go like that, this team has been snakebitten at P and PR for a long time. Hopefully Saunders can improve the PR part of that equation. Edit: I also think Westy really retired because he saw the writing on the wall concerning KRs. Kickoff and Kick Return were his bread and butter, he never really was able to kick consistent ass with his punt units.
We could really use a big year on special teams especially punt returns,it has been awful in that area the last few years,we don't have a real punt returner on this roster.Maybe Saunders can fill that void
agreed on your guys punt and punt return comments, and those are more important than kickoff at this point. Cribbs added a real spark to both last year. would love to have someone like him to be a threat in kick and punt returns, while also contributing excellently to coverage. would even considering signing him again (if healthy), keeping Salas, and cutting Ford. and if another Punter becomes available after cuts (like Weatherford did in '10), I'd be down for an upgrade.
*Names in italics were changes from week 2 Punt team week 3: (first team) Line: LT Bellore, LG Reilly, LS Purdum, RG Edds, RT Davis Wings: Pryor, Powell Punt Protector (Upback): Bush Gunners: Hakim, Lankster Punter: Quigley - Bilal Powell seeing some time with the first team this week, rotating with Miles at Wing - Hakim and Reilly each with a Tackle - Quigley 38yd avg, 2 Punts Inside20 (1 Inside10) Punt Return Week 3: (first team) Line: Troy Davis, Edds, Reilly, Bellore, Powell LB: Josh Bush Jammers: Kyle Wilson, Miles, Hakim, Lankster Returner: Kerley - Kerley 12yds on 2 returns - Hakim seeing time as Jammer for first time. Reilly and Powell on for first time. - Powell seeing time at End instead of David Nelson. also played Upback with the second team. - Ford at punt returner with second team had fumble - Kyle Wilson with a penalty (even on ST's!)
*Names in italics were changes from week 2 Kickoff Coverage Week 3: (first team) L5 Lankster L4 Dixon (Gunner) L3 Edds L2 Davis/McIntire L1 Lequan Lewis K Folk R1 Powell R2 Reilly R3 Bellore R4 Hakim (Gunner) R5 Kyle Wilson - Folk kicking 60% touchbacks - George subbed in for Bellore for some first team reps - Bellore with another good ST tackle Kick Return week 1: (first team) Front Line: Miles, George, Edds, Jarrett, Enunwa Second Line: Bellore, Sudfeld Wedge: Douzable, Amaro Upback: Powell Returner: Ford - Hakim 32 yd return on only returnable kick - Powell seeing time over Green as the Upback - George finally cracking the lineup over Davis
Summary: After 3 preseason games, i think we can formulate some good ideas on where we stand with ST, and where some of the final roster spots may fall. Specialists - Punter is still a spot that should be upgraded. Too many short punts, no significant hang time. - Folk is still money. - Kerley was our best Punt Returner, which isn't saying much. Still need to see Saunders back there, or potentially Hakim. still not a strength, not sure if a weakness yet. - Hakim won the KR job, and looked explosive in minimum returns. - Purdum still flawless on long snapping 4 Core starters - Bellore and Lankster still entrenched in their roles as 4 Core starters. Bellore in particular continues to impress. - Hakim will join them contributing as KR, Kickoff Gunner, Punt Gunner, and Punt Return Jammer (or returner). He locked up a spot imo. - Troy Davis, Rontez Miles, and Josh Bush were looking like 4 Core prospects, and played well. However, in Giants game their ST roles were reduced a little, while rotating ST snaps with others. That could be a sign they are on the bubble. - Edds was a 4 Core starter throughout the preseason as well, and played D better than George. Will that be enough to hold off the rook? Rookies - Reilly saw the most first team work, and started in all 4 ST units by the Giants game. Still think he ends up on the PS though. - George didn't see any 1st team work until the Giants game, and even then was only Kickoff and Kick Return. was a little disappointed as i figured he was drafted to be a 4 Core player. He may still end up the season as one if he survives the 53 cuts. - IK had a real nice blocked punt/safety as well as some tackles with the second team. was held out against Giants due to injured foot, but i think he could end up taking Davis's roster spot due to his promising ST play. - Enunwa is a big body who showed signs of becoming an effective ST player, handling roles typically occupied by Safeties or even TE's. PS for this year. Misc - Pryor will play ST. i think Punt and Kickoff coverage. He's got the instincts and ability to force a fumble on any play. - Allen will also start on ST, especially Punt return. Maybe even all 4 if Miles gets cut. - Powell was playing all 4 in the Giants game. Not sure if that was just to try him out, or if that move will be necessitated after other roster cuts are made. - Kyle Wilson is no better on ST than he is on D - Cumberland was playing a lot of ST's prior to injury. I think at minimum he'll join Amaro and Douzable for the KR wedge. - neither Salas nor Gates were contributing to ST. thought they would have..
