Special Teams play not so special

[MJS]

All our special teams stars sat. This is why it looked so bad.

 

For those who thought that it doesn't make a difference, here is the evidence that it does.

[LabattBlue]

2 minutes ago, MJS said:

All our special teams stars sat. This is why it looked so bad.

 

For those who thought that it doesn't make a difference, here is the evidence that it does.

Preseason games are rarely “evidence” of anything…good or bad.  Case in point…Keenum game #1 vs Keenum game #2. 

Edited August 22, 2022 by BTB

[ColoradoBills]

3 hours ago, InTheBuffAllTheTime said:

Bubble players have to focus on ST and make that their craft. Forget position needs for bubble players. Bills don't need more RB depth, WR depth, LB depth - they need ST starters! ST play will dictate who makes the final 53.

 

There was a lot of the bubble guys playing Saturday.  I saw DE Kingsley Johnathan defending on a Kickoff.  He's a 4th stringer.

Maybe some of the looks these guys were getting was more about who to keep for PS than trying to make the team roster.

[Utah John]

Coaches think about everything.  They watch how all the blockers on KO and punt returns do things.  If they even think there's a good chance that a blocker on a KO return can be maneuvered into committing a penalty, that's a factor in favor of not kicking into the end zone.  If an opponent consistently doesn't return KO's past the 25, that's another reason to not kick it into the end zone.  

[Rocky Landing]

1 hour ago, BTB said:

Preseason games are rarely “evidence” of anything…good or bad.  Case in point…Keenum game #1 vs Keenum game #2. 

Preseason games have various functions, and one of those functions is to evaluate how well potential backup players, or those who are lower on the depth chart, perform on special teams. And that is certainly an evidence-based evaluation.

[AuntieEm]

1 hour ago, mushypeaches said:

My god, if you're complaining about coverage units in the pre-season having a few challenges, you might need to do some critical thinking about a couple of things:

 

1. The players that aren't playing in the game that might just might be really good at special teams.  I heard there were a few of those in that group last week
2. The players that are playing in the game that aren't making the team
3. The fact that it's pre-season

 

 

 P Add

       4. ST plays have higher rates of collision injuries which is why there have been many rule changes trying to bring that rate down.  Even with many of the at risk players likely to be cut anyway why add to the number of players that have injury claims before they wash out of league

 

 

 

 

[ColoradoBills]

7 minutes ago, Utah John said:

Coaches think about everything.  They watch how all the blockers on KO and punt returns do things.  If they even think there's a good chance that a blocker on a KO return can be maneuvered into committing a penalty, that's a factor in favor of not kicking into the end zone.  If an opponent consistently doesn't return KO's past the 25, that's another reason to not kick it into the end zone.  

 

STC Smalley in his presser confirmed everything you just posted.  He added as an example, kickoffs through the endzone or short of the 

goal line is determined by the opposing team's capabilities/weather and game planning.

 

He also said (not enough people listen to it) that he rates all of the ST positions and players and gives that input to McDermott and Beane

They take that info along with the position coach's input to determine the roster.  He then said he works out the best STs he can with

the players he receives knowing the priority goes to the offense and defense.

 

It is a 2-way street I'm sure, but Smalley also has a responsibility to develop the guys he's assigned.  He has to work with who he gets

just like the OC and DC and make the best of it.

[Bob in STL]

3 hours ago, blacklabel said:

 

I can see what you're saying, just boot it thru the EZ every time. I'm sure there are times kickers just don't quite get all of it and it's a returnable ball. But I'm also sure there are times the ST coach might want the kick to be returnable for a number of reasons. Maybe the returner has bobbled the previous kick and they're thinking maybe they'll get a turnover. The other reason I could think is maybe they feel they could pin them back behind the 25 yard line and give them a longer field. Also, once the returner catches the ball, the clock starts which would be handy if your team was ahead with a few seconds to go and wanted to leave the opponent with as little time as possible. I'm trying super hard to figure out a game where that happened tho and I just can't seem to come up with anything....

Good one! 

[hemma]

“All” of our STs did not sit.  On our 3rd kickoff, Kumerow waved goodbye to the returner at the 18.

In a later KO, he made/assisted the tackle at the 33.  Probably was in there for more, but I stopped looking.

 

McCloud - probably will not make the roster -did not wrap up on the 2nd KO.  If he had, they would’ve started at the 12.

 

So there was a mix of players.