Special Teams - After 2 Games

[mgteich]

The bottom line is that these units have played well enough to win and even had a game fumble recovery that saved our only win.

THE KICKERS
Gost and Hanson have been fine. Gost missed one and then made up for it with a fumble receovery.

RETURNERS
This group misses Hobbs. I am surprised that Maroney isn't used more. But as a unit, this unit's OK, except for the penalties. But it isn't those few yards that have crippled the offense. This group will not win us games. But, they will not be allowed to lose them either, which is why Faulk is out there.

COVERAGE
There have been problems with the coverage units. Their production needs to improve. But they have done nothing that the defense couldn't cope with. After all, even given some of the field position issues, the defense has kept opponents to 18 and 16 points.

 

[patriotscpfc]

Hanson was awful on Sunday.

He only seems to do anything in adverse weather and pre-season.

 

[Pats726]

I don't think they were that good against Washington...he averaged almost 32 yards on teh kickoffs, but I think Meriwether was absent for at least 3 of them. He had 3 in the 40 yard range and another a bouncy kick near the half where he got only 7. Forty yards is a bit too much though.
I would agree on the kicking and the return teams. And this unit made the big play in Game one..so all in all not that bad.

 

[JSn]

Hanson was awful on Sunday.

He only seems to do anything in adverse weather and pre-season.

Surely you're referring to the band...

 

[denverpatsfan]

ST cost the team the game on Sunday and last season against the Jests as well. They looked like they were jogging while the Jests players were running full speed. Setting up that crappy offense with short fields all game and not getting TB and Co a decent starting field position.

That being said they did win game 1 for the team.

Hopefully they will have an answer for Leon Washington come November.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Year after year Buffalo has really good ST, so I think that skews the numbers some.

However we need more from the coverage units and the kickoff return unit.

 

[mgteich]

The offense scored zero touchdowns, gost converted at all three opportunities and it's the special teams that cost us the victory. I guess everyone has their own analysis.

ST cost the team the game on Sunday and last season against the Jests as well. They looked like they were jogging while the Jests players were running full speed. Setting up that crappy offense with short fields all game and not getting TB and Co a decent starting field position.

That being said they did win game 1 for the team.

Hopefully they will have an answer for Leon Washington come November.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Average drive starting position for Buffalo 29, NE 31; NY 32, NE 29. This to me was the key difference between the Buffalo & NYJ games, Special Teams.

 

[mac]

People may laugh, but the coverage units miss Slater. Kickoff return needs Slater, too. Faulk is too slow and too valuable. Maroney is only good in space. In my view, given how little the Pats run the ball, only one of Morris, Taylor, and Maroney should be active on game day. None of the three add to special teams. BJGE can serve as backup running back. Sitting two of the above three, maybe the coverage units can be shored up.