Rubes Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 The Bills were #1 in punt coverage last year, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment, allowing only 5.3 yards per punt return. They did this with two gunners on the outside, both of whom were new to the team last year, one a rookie and the other an undrafted free agent who did zero his first three years in the league before being sent to NFL Europa. I guess you could say the one good thing to come from Homerun Forward Pass is Bobby April.
Chandler#81 Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 The Bills were #1 in punt coverage last year, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment, allowing only 5.3 yards per punt return. They did this with two gunners on the outside, both of whom were new to the team last year, one a rookie and the other an undrafted free agent who did zero his first three years in the league before being sent to NFL Europa. I guess you could say the one good thing to come from Homerun Forward Pass is Bobby April. Also a great, Pro Bowl punter who 's adept at landing punts inside the 20 and typically great hang time.
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 The Bills were #1 in punt coverage last year, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment, allowing only 5.3 yards per punt return. They did this with two gunners on the outside, both of whom were new to the team last year, one a rookie and the other an undrafted free agent who did zero his first three years in the league before being sent to NFL Europa. I guess you could say the one good thing to come from Homerun Forward Pass is Bobby April. The problem I see is that the Bills released / cut half of the ST'ers
Billadelphia Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 The problem I see is that the Bills released / cut half of the ST'ers I don't see that as a problem as long as April is at the helm. He'll have that unit clicking come September. Don't forget that DiGiorgio, Ellison, and some good rookie corners & receivers will be at his disposal.
Astrobot Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Another amazing thing is that the current punter, kicker, punt returner, and kickoff returner are all the Bills' all-time best statistically. (Source: Athlon) And we're not even counting McKelvin in this yet.
Rubes Posted July 10, 2008 Author Posted July 10, 2008 The problem I see is that the Bills released / cut half of the ST'ers That's the point. April took two guys, one a rookie and the other a new undrafted guy we picked up from NFL Europa, and made them the #1 unit in the league.
Numark Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 i am wondering if april comes up with something very unique to take advantage of McKelvin, McGee, and Parrish.
lets_go_bills Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Moorman for MVP! I love it when we chant MVP for him when he makes a good play. Also, Wendling is the best gunner in the NFL. He covers punts so freaking well it's ridiculous.
Sisyphean Bills Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 I don't see that as a problem as long as April is at the helm. He'll have that unit clicking come September. Don't forget that DiGiorgio, Ellison, and some good rookie corners & receivers will be at his disposal. True. The draft had a marked emphasis on FINE special teams players...
biglukes Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 Moorman for MVP! I love it when we chant MVP for him when he makes a good play. Also, Wendling is the best gunner in the NFL. He covers punts so freaking well it's ridiculous. I agree Wendling is a very good gunner. Justin Jenkins didn't do too shabby either in the little bit of time he saw last year either.
Big Turk Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 The Bills were #1 in punt coverage last year, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment, allowing only 5.3 yards per punt return. They did this with two gunners on the outside, both of whom were new to the team last year, one a rookie and the other an undrafted free agent who did zero his first three years in the league before being sent to NFL Europa. I guess you could say the one good thing to come from Homerun Forward Pass is Bobby April. well, I know our special teams were considered very good overall for the league in general, but I can't help being a little disappointed in them. Kick Returns especially just seemed like McGee got tackled way more times inside the 30 than normal. I guess we are just so spoiled by seeing the best ST in the league, when it tails off a little, we can notice it... Imagine what all the other teams must be like??
Big Turk Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 I agree Wendling is a very good gunner. Justin Jenkins didn't do too shabby either in the little bit of time he saw last year either. Yeah, I thought Jenkins was absolutely terrific on ST last year...would be a real shame if they let him go...
Matt in KC Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 well, I know our special teams were considered very good overall for the league in general, but I can't help being a little disappointed in them. Kick Returns especially just seemed like McGee got tackled way more times inside the 30 than normal. I guess we are just so spoiled by seeing the best ST in the league, when it tails off a little, we can notice it... Imagine what all the other teams must be like?? McGee ripped off several nice returns to around mid-field. But, I agree, he seemed to do better before last year when he had Fletcher or Peters or Banaan (if I remember right) as a big body on the return wedge. He really tore up the opposition when one of his blockers blew a hole in the initial wave coming at him. Last year it looked more like they had trouble getting out of his way, and he had more short returns when he couldn't get that initial 5 yards untouched.
Mark Vader Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 Another amazing thing is that the current punter, kicker, punt returner, and kickoff returner are all the Bills' all-time best statistically. (Source: Athlon) And we're not even counting McKelvin in this yet. That is amazing. Especially at kicker. Lindell has done better than Norwood & Christie? I have asked many Bills fans, who have been fans since the 60's, if they recall the Bills ever having a kick returner as good as McGee has been. Their answer has always been "no".
PNW_Bills_Fan Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 Just think of how good they would have been last year if everyone was healthy. The botched on sides kick in the Dallas game was Gains not knowing where he was supposed to be.
jarthur31 Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 The Bills were #1 in punt coverage last year, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment, allowing only 5.3 yards per punt return. They did this with two gunners on the outside, both of whom were new to the team last year, one a rookie and the other an undrafted free agent who did zero his first three years in the league before being sent to NFL Europa. I guess you could say the one good thing to come from Homerun Forward Pass is Bobby April. Wait, are you blaming that on Bruce DeHaven? We've had great ST play since the 80's to the present except of course that hiccup with Ronnie Jones there.
jarthur31 Posted July 13, 2008 Posted July 13, 2008 Another amazing thing is that the current punter, kicker, punt returner, and kickoff returner are all the Bills' all-time best statistically. (Source: Athlon) And we're not even counting McKelvin in this yet. Hold your horses there pard but I seem to recall a certain Steve Christie who did this franchise proud for many years. Lindell isn't there yet.
colin Posted July 14, 2008 Posted July 14, 2008 Hold your horses there pard but I seem to recall a certain Steve Christie who did this franchise proud for many years. Lindell isn't there yet. maybe so in terms of clutch kicks and so on, but statistically lindell is tops. good unit all around. imo with mccorner in there we will have the fresh legs to vie for #1 in both punt and kick returns.
tennesseeboy Posted July 14, 2008 Posted July 14, 2008 No question. We have special teams at the highest caliber playoff level. Now let's get the offense and defense to make that last step as well!!
Wagon Circler Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 I would say that both of our current returners are the best in the history of the club which has quite frankly not been dotted with too many playmakers.
Recommended Posts