YardRat
09-16-2014, 04:45 AM
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140916/buffalo-bills-teamreport
The Buffalo Bills were one of the league's worst special teams performers in 2013, but there was a concerted effort to upgrade in that area across the board.
Through two weeks, the results are readily apparent.
Against the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo's kicking teams were the difference in the 29-10 victory as kicker Dan Carpenter made five field goals, one of which was set up by a blocked punt deep in Miami territory by Anthony Dixon. And C.J. Spiller had a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. When you do the math, that's 23 of the 29 points (counting extra points) directly attributable to the special teams.
Going further, over the first two weeks, punter Colton Schmidt, who replaced longtime Bill standout Brian Moorman, punted nine times and seven were downed inside the 20. Opponents total only six yards on punt return. And kickoff specialist Jordan Gay, who just joined the team, has 10 touchbacks on 14 kickoffs, and the opposing team's drive start after kickoffs is the 20.
"We consider ourselves one of the best units in the league," Dixon said. "We're not going to shy away from that. Every team we go up against, we're looking to sting them, no matter who they is."
One of the keys has been coach Doug Marrone's use of starting players on offense and defense playing active roles in the kicking game. For instance, Spiller on kickoffs. There's a school of thought that using your No. 1 running back, a fifth-year veteran, on kickoff returns is an unnecessary injury risk. Well, Spiller got dinged on the opening kickoff against Miami and sat out the first offensive series, but then in the third quarter, his touchdown was a key play in the game.
"It's just like I told you guys early on with the touches and C.J. being an explosive player," said Marrone. "That's the type of stuff we're looking for. I think he's very dangerous back there. We were able to get a returnable ball and you see what he can do. That's how we're going to have to win; by playing well in all three phrases. Special teams, really for the last two weeks have done a heck of a job."
The Buffalo Bills were one of the league's worst special teams performers in 2013, but there was a concerted effort to upgrade in that area across the board.
Through two weeks, the results are readily apparent.
Against the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo's kicking teams were the difference in the 29-10 victory as kicker Dan Carpenter made five field goals, one of which was set up by a blocked punt deep in Miami territory by Anthony Dixon. And C.J. Spiller had a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. When you do the math, that's 23 of the 29 points (counting extra points) directly attributable to the special teams.
Going further, over the first two weeks, punter Colton Schmidt, who replaced longtime Bill standout Brian Moorman, punted nine times and seven were downed inside the 20. Opponents total only six yards on punt return. And kickoff specialist Jordan Gay, who just joined the team, has 10 touchbacks on 14 kickoffs, and the opposing team's drive start after kickoffs is the 20.
"We consider ourselves one of the best units in the league," Dixon said. "We're not going to shy away from that. Every team we go up against, we're looking to sting them, no matter who they is."
One of the keys has been coach Doug Marrone's use of starting players on offense and defense playing active roles in the kicking game. For instance, Spiller on kickoffs. There's a school of thought that using your No. 1 running back, a fifth-year veteran, on kickoff returns is an unnecessary injury risk. Well, Spiller got dinged on the opening kickoff against Miami and sat out the first offensive series, but then in the third quarter, his touchdown was a key play in the game.
"It's just like I told you guys early on with the touches and C.J. being an explosive player," said Marrone. "That's the type of stuff we're looking for. I think he's very dangerous back there. We were able to get a returnable ball and you see what he can do. That's how we're going to have to win; by playing well in all three phrases. Special teams, really for the last two weeks have done a heck of a job."