Special Teams/Lack of Depth

[OpIv37]

When Bobby April was here, our S/T were dominant, but it came at the price of lacking depth. Many people, myself included, complained that he had too much control over roster decisions, and it caused us to keep guys who can't play their position particularly well in exchange for S/T prowess.

Well, April is gone and our S/T has become pretty mediocre. They suck in some areas and are slightly above average in other areas. So, how has that helped our depth?

On the offensive line, we've had 3 different C's, 3 different LT's and Levitre has started at 3 different positions himself. And we've never had more than 2 starters injured at the same time.

At WR, we've had to send Spiller out wide and sign guys off the streets just to have enough bodies.

At LB, Moats has been going back and forth between ILB and OLB.
We've even used Spencer Johnson- a 4-3 DT, at OLB.

We've sacrificed our dominant S/T and STILL have no depth.

[better days]

Re: Special Teams/Lack of Depth

When Bobby April was here, our S/T were dominant, but it came at the price of lacking depth. Many people, myself included, complained that he had too much control over roster decisions, and it caused us to keep guys who can't play their position particularly well in exchange for S/T prowess.

Well, April is gone and our S/T has become pretty mediocre. They suck in some areas and are slightly above average in other areas. So, how has that helped our depth?

On the offensive line, we've had 3 different C's, 3 different LT's and Levitre has started at 3 different positions himself. And we've never had more than 2 starters injured at the same time.

At WR, we've had to send Spiller out wide and sign guys off the streets just to have enough bodies.

At LB, Moats has been going back and forth between ILB and OLB.
We've even used Spencer Johnson- a 4-3 DT, at OLB.

We've sacrificed our dominant S/T and STILL have no depth.

I think the recent rules changes have had more to do with mediocre special teams plays throughout the league than anything else.

[Buddo]

Re: Special Teams/Lack of Depth

I think the recent rules changes have had more to do with mediocre special teams plays throughout the league than anything else.

This is pretty much spot on imho.
April wasn't so hot once the rule changes were made, either. I'm not sure, tbh, where we stood after the rules were changed, but I do recall us not adapting to them very well at all, when they first came out - and April was the STs coach then.

Besides, that was Jauron's plan for the offense. Run, run, punt, or when he got creative, pass, pass, punt. Had to employ a bunch of STs specialists for the game plan to work.
I think Gailey expects to go down the field by moving the chains.

In respect of our STs, we certainly aren't lacking for returners, be it punts or kicks, and most of the guys who can do it, can do both.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Special Teams/Lack of Depth

I was always meh about DeHaven.

[OpIv37]

Re: Special Teams/Lack of Depth

I think the recent rules changes have had more to do with mediocre special teams plays throughout the league than anything else.

The rule changes only affect kickoff returns, arguably kickoff coverage. They don't affect punts or FG's at all.

[psubills62]

Re: Special Teams/Lack of Depth

The rule changes only affect kickoff returns, arguably kickoff coverage. They don't affect punts or FG's at all.

I'm pretty sure the rule about the wedge affects both kickoff and punt returns.

[YardRat]

Re: Special Teams/Lack of Depth

April's reputation was built his first couple of seasons here...the last few were nothing special, and actually bordered on poor.