Don't Special Teams Count?

by MichaelCushman on Apr 27, 2009 7:59 PM MDT

All the draft analysts and fans divide a football team into offense and defense. What about special teams? They are on the field 20 to 30 times a game, sometimes more.

Not only did the Bronco’s defense blow up last year, the special teams had net negative yardage.

When evaluating the draft, I think we all forget to look at not only upgrading offensive and defensive players, but also at who will start on special teams. That’s right, start! Special teams isn’t where you put your backups who are bored, it’s a place where you put your best open field blockers and tacklers, isn’t it?

Look again at this draft class. Four or five are special team studs who tie up blockers, strip balls, make open field tackles. Four or five better players out of 11 is a pretty good jolt in quality.

I don’t know if anyone has ever done the analysis, but I’m guessing that most players who are special team studs in college turn out to be just as good on the pro-level.

Part of the Denver draft strategy looks to me to dramatically improve our net special team yardage (and perhaps the special team turnover ratio too).

Isn’t this important to the team’s success?

The truth is last year, the Broncos were given a win against SD by a referee call. The Broncos were 7 – 9. Also true, the defense and the special teams were at the bottom of the heap. So two out of 3 units were bad and only the offense was good.

I think the Broncos just significantly upgraded the special teams to be average or positive. The offense is a tad better, with a downgrade at QB but an upgrade at RB.

Now what’s left to overhaul is the Defense. Lots of question marks still remain. Is there a free agent or two out there who can surprise? Will the new scheme work better? Can our current talent be reshuffled to better use their talents? I think no one knows, not even the coaches. At least not yet.

However, the idea that the Broncos didn’t address a major need in the draft is mistaken. They sure did, unless you think that special teams don’t matter. Is that really true?

I think the problem is we don’t measure and rank special teams productivity properly. If we don’t measure it, how can we “see” that we have a need and that we are addressing it? So, should our draft analysis consider special teams too? I think so.

What do you think?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

Totally agree!

It’s something McDaniel’s has been emphasizing this off-season too.

by scannon on Apr 27, 2009 8:27 PM MDT reply actions

+1

Im pretty sure none of you know this team as well as McD, probably none of you were at mimi camp evaluating what kind of players we had, and what we needed to get. Special Teams is an area that has killed, we are now looking a lot better, not just with return threats, we have players that excel in making open field tackles on special teams, and blocking.

But yes great post, off topic, but i would just like to say id rather have these smart, instinctive, hard working, versatile players, than teams like the Cowboys. I really like the way McD is shaping this team. Some of you are jumping ship…we’ll guess what you can turn in your fan card stop whining and complaining. I love hearing criticism and people arguing picks when they give good facts and opinions, but if your saying im never going to be a broncos fan, then dont be, we(Broncos Nation) dont want you.

"My age is getting up there, but that doesn't mean my play has to diminish,"-Brian Dawkins

by BDAWKisaBRONC on Apr 27, 2009 8:36 PM MDT reply actions

Special Teams Count

Period.

I’m thrilled to have an HC and FO that value this part of the game. I am convinced this is a departure from the past.

by NedBronco on Apr 27, 2009 8:41 PM MDT reply actions

Jason Elams departure was a big testament to that.

"It means nothing to throw for 4500 yards, 25 touchdowns, and you dont win" -Brandon Marshall

by Joe Medina on Apr 27, 2009 10:09 PM MDT up reply actions

Especially

when there didn’t appear to be any forethought given to his departure. We knew for years that it was going to have to happen but we passed over several talented kickers with late round picks that could have really kept it from being a problem.

Don't jump off the cliff but if the guys next to you are loud and annoying try to push them off.

by Kfustud on Apr 28, 2009 7:54 AM MDT up reply actions

Special teams will be a better!

Coach McD will make special teams a priority, something Shanahan hadn’t done in a very long time. Most of these young players drafted this past weekend will contribute in a very positive way on ST.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN THUNDER!

by Rogue Stallion on Apr 27, 2009 9:03 PM MDT reply actions

Special teams are special

I am honestly excited to see the upgrade in special teams. I’d love to see an improvement this year in field position, special teams scores, and impact plays in the kicking and return game. Hopefully Prater is a bit more reliable next year – those 3-pointers make a difference! Anyway, I really think we addressed a NEED in the draft. I like it!

We're gonna get together as a team and make some things happen this year.

by uziguzi on Apr 28, 2009 1:40 AM MDT reply actions