'Special' Teams 2020

[TheDiplomat]

It can be such a pivotal part of a game. It takes one play, just like on O or D, to swing momentum or even a game.

 

* One big return setting the O up with a short field.

* One big big hit to fire up your D coming onto the field, or even force an opposing teams fumble in their own territory

* One blocked field goal or punt to either keep points off the board or once again set up a short field for our Offense that averages 20 points a game (29th best in the league)

 

And yet, here we are with a NOT so 'special' teams effort week in and week out. I wrote this thread with not Hopkins or Way in mind, but with the other players on the field for our ST.

 

What are everyone's thoughts on Nate Kaczor and the other players? Why are we lacking?Poor Blocking? Questionable Instincts of Danny Johnson or Sims when returning? Poor blocking/effort?

 

It would be really advantageous if we could start to fire on at least one of these bullets points above, in each a game. This Thanksgiving Day vs. Dallas would be an ideal start date. 

[Malapropismic Depository]

Thanks for starting this.

I thought we needed a ST thread. Kaczor is one of only 2 coaching holdovers from the previous regime, so that says a lot. And he's earned it.

ST has been pretty solid for the most part.

I love how he had his unit totally ready for that fake punt, and they were not fooled at all. In fact, if there ever was a time when they might be fooled - that would be the play. Because who on earth would expect Dallas to fake a punt, when they are backed up deep in their own territory around their own 30, on a 4th and long, with about 13 minutes left, and only behind by 4 points ???

 

I even did some research on this. These are our top ST rankings, in respective categories.

 

In 2020, league-wide we are...

 

#2 in Opponents Kick Returns

#2 in Opponents Kick Return Yards

#3 in Punt Returns

#8 in Kick Returns

#4 in Punt Average

#5 in Punt Net Average

 

The only downside I've seen is Hopkins' crucial misses, but maybe we can attribute that to his groin injury, and also he seems to be bouncing back

 

 

 

[SB17]

Can anyone say Danny Smith?  This guy was the ST coach who consistently put up garbage special teams and kept being brought back through a number of head coaching changes instead of being canned.  He finally left the team to be closer to his family (parents), I believe.  Whatever Kaczor is or isn’t doing, I don’t know, because it’s been a delight not to cringe every time special teams takes the field, like it used to be under Danny Smith.  The guy was flat out terrible as an ST coach.

[Malapropismic Depository]

I remember when Kotwica left, and Kaczor came in to replace him. Kaczor was a bit of an unknown and thought to just be here because of a Tampa connection. So many people thought he would be a downgrade from Kotwica. But all indications appear to be an upgrade

[Warhead36]

Kickoffs are a wash nowadays since most of them are just touchbacks anyway.

 

We're really good in punts/punt coverage. Obviously because Way is so good, he's usually pinning teams inside the 10 or making them return really long punts.

 

Hopkins stinks at kicking FGs though and our return game appears mediocre to me.

[Malapropismic Depository]

When does Way's contract end ?

That's another guy we need to renew.

Also, unsung hero is LS Sundberg.

I don't recall him ever tossing a bad snap. He's one of those positions that, the less you hear his name called, the better he's doing. And I basically never hear his name called by anyone.

[Panninho]

Got to love that dude. Seems to be such a positive guy.

[Malapropismic Depository]

Tress Way does not have a bad day.

But sometimes bad days have a Tress Way.

 

He's so great, that every other NFL punter desires to learn the Tress way of punting.