Larry Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 WP: Redskins’ Ben Kotwica has players lining up to join his ‘special forces’ Just read this article, courtesy of our really useful Breaking News section. And it really got me fired up. Figured maybe it would do so, for some other people, too. The former Apache helicopter pilot and company commander stood in front of the room and issued the challenge. “Who wants to join my special forces?” Ben Kotwica asked, strong and clear as he conducted his first special teams meeting at Redskins Park back in the spring. He spoke of pride, commitment, and a physical style of play, and again, asked who wanted to join his “special forces.” Ears perked up. Things had definitely changed. After concluding his senior season as a linebacker for Army, where he anchored the defense and helped his team to 10 wins — most in school history — Kotwica went on to serve his country as an Apache helicopter pilot. During his eight years in the Army, Kotwica deployed to Bosnia, and was stationed in Korea. In 2004, as a captain in the second Iraq war, Kotwica flew more than 1,000 combat hours. Kotwica never lost his love for football, and he realized coaching bore a number of similarities to his role as a company commander, where he had to unite a group of men, get them to buy in on an important mission and execute with precision. Upon completion of his military career in 2005, Bob Sutton, Kotwica’s former coach at West Point, helped the soldier get a job as the defensive coordinator for the U.S. Military Academy prep school’s football team. Two years later, upon Sutton’s recommendation, then-Jets head coach Eric Mangini gave Kotwica an entry-level job on his staff as a quality control assistant for the defensive and special teams units. Six years later, he was promoted to special teams coordinator. More at the link. Now I'm really looking forward to the season. Where do I sign up? (Oh, and cool nickname.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsHokieFan Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Even though Lorenzo Alexander is not walking through that door, the special teams will be significantly improved this year. There is no way it can be historically bad again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Reparations Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Love the change in philosophy...and a different kickoff returner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zazzaro703 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 This was an excellent article. I just hope the discapline shows and we don't get the foolish block in the back and other assorted penalties we always get on special teams that criples us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Great read *applause*...I definitely expect a significant improvement over last year's performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jflow78 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I'd love to see our ST be such a force this year it overshadows every other part of the team. The year Brett Favre and the Packers won the SB in 1997 it was that way. Desmond Howard was great that season (as a returner). He had 3 punt returns for TDs and averaged 15 yards per return. In the playoffs he returned a punt for a TD, then in the SB he returned a kickoff for a TD. He was on the verge of breaking just about every punt return that season. It was actually intense watching punts just because of him. I would love for Roberts to turn into that guy. He had one playoff game with 2 punt returns, one for a TD (71 yards), the other was a measly 46 yard return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 This alone could help get two to three wins for the team this year. Field position is like Location, Location, Location in Real Estate. You just finish drives better with that momentum. I am excited to see Roberts and Crawford as return men, also think Niles Paul and others make the team just based on ST Special Forces rolls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Adama Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I can just imagine Bang reading this article with a tear of joy streaming down his face, and after finishing it, standing up and doing the "slow-clap" all by himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmF-6wP2Ze8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LD0506 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 This alone could help get two to three wins for the team this year. Field position is like Location, Location, Location in Real Estate. You just finish drives better with that momentum. I am excited to see Roberts and Crawford as return men, also think Niles Paul and others make the team just based on ST Special Forces rolls. It's great to see coaches trying to instill that kind of attitude in players, we all saw too many times last season when the guys were just going through the motions. Kotwica could easily be a more valuable addition than DJax to overall results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I can just imagine Bang reading this article with a tear of joy streaming down his face, and after finishing it, standing up and doing the "slow-clap" all by himself. Exclusive insider pic of Bang as the announcement is made at the ES quarterly meetings..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martytheman Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Hmm, I spend 8 years in the Army, and that guy LOOKS like a commander... minus the hands in the pockets I'd have a problem NOT calling him Sir if I were there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrypticVillain Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I'm not surprised Burns challenged a player to a fight. They should have took him up on the challenge and knocked his... I like this part: But Kotwica has done more than talk. He has backed up his all-hands-on-deck message by enlisting the services of position coaches to help he and assistant special teams coach Bradford Banta, in an attempt to ensure that his players receive the best instruction possible, and to spark greater unity. I saw that on Redskins Nation and was very impressed. I'm so excited to see this special team unit next season. Every time I hear or read about Kotwica, he got me wanting to run down the field and hit somebody man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rskin72 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I heard an interview with him on Redskins nation and was impressed with his demeanor and words....how he spoke. One thing that stood out was that he believes in being physical. He believes that the more physical team normally wins out. So...I anticipate some popping going on this season on st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 This alone could help get two to three wins for the team this year. Field position is like Location, Location, Location in Real Estate. I keep remembering one time, last season, Cooley observing that 11 of the last 13 Redskins opponent's scoring drives had started on our side of the 50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MassSkinsFan Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 This guy has HC written all over him! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 Hmm, I spend 8 years in the Army, and that guy LOOKS like a commander... minus the hands in the pockets I'd have a problem NOT calling him Sir if I were there. It's the haircut. ---------- So...I anticipate some popping going on this season on st. I anticipate a lot of people on the bubble gonna be very enthusiastic on ST, during preseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 *raises hand* I'm in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKSkinsFan Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Special teams, offensive line, and secondary were painfully bad last year. We may not have these completely turned around, but it sure looks to me like they are actively addressing these things as much as possible and are doing it in several ways. ST: a. New coach b. signing other team's ST captains c. competition across the board. Oline: a. Free agency: I'm not impressed with our FA signings here b. Draft: great potential at G & RT c. Bringing in DJax and Roberts will force defenses to not stack the box on us. Secondary: a. Free agency: Love Ryan Clark coming back, he instantly brings leadership, other FA signings (Porter) leave much to be desired although he could help in the right role b. Bringing in Hatcher to improve our pass rush will help our secondary. c. Keeping continuity by retaining Raheem and having hopes that Rambo, Thomas, and Amerson take steps towards being quality starters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepball1 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 interesting note is that the Superbowl champs, Seattle Seahawks have used STARTERS on special teams. If somebody tackles well and is a playmaker, use them. If they don't tackle well...get rid of them. Pretty simple formula. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborneskins Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 OH HELL YEAH! I got goose bumps just reading the article. Cant wait to see the improvement on the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 One of two things are going to happen. Guys are going to get fired up, fall in line, and produce. The alternative is, guys are going to get annoyed by the military speak and assert that they do not have to follow orders without explanation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Now that's a haircut you can set your watch to, by cricky! Nowhere to go but up. The words are good, and the work with the Jets is encouraging. I'm in. I do find it funny how many of you think of me when our special teams coaches get mentioned.that alone will get me to do the slow clap. ~Bang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roanoker Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 In reading the article, it appears that there is a new, positive mindset for special teams. I'm stoked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckus Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I like the passion. I will hold off getting too excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 One of two things are going to happen. Guys are going to get fired up, fall in line, and produce. The alternative is, guys are going to get annoyed by the military speak and assert that they do not have to follow orders without explanation. and thus they will be helped out, they way they came in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.