Upgrade special teams?

[carolinatony]

I was looking back and don't remember us having any punt/KO TD returns?

Are you happy with our ST play or would like to see us make some off season moves. Its the plays that don't show in the stat's that can help win or lose a game imo ..called Field position.
Can this be coached up or is it more the players?

I only see 4/5 games on TV so I can't give a accurate opinion.
thanks

 

[mayoclinic]

STs have been OK but not great. The biggest thing that seems to have been lacking is a more explosive kick returner, and we should have one of the best in NCAA history next year, Brandon Tate.

A new punter would be nice, too, but I say that every year, and we seem to just stick with Chris (33.8 yard average against Buffalo) Hanson.

 

[mgteich]

I think that we're fine with Tate and Maroney as kick returners, and with Welker as a punt returner.

I have no problem with drafting a returner, but, in the end, it would be him or Tate for the roster spot.

 

[Jimke]

STs have been OK but not great. The biggest thing that seems to have been lacking is a more explosive kick returner, and we should have one of the best in NCAA history next year, Brandon Tate.

A new punter would be nice, too, but I say that every year, and we seem to just stick with Chris (33.8 yard average against Buffalo) Hanson.

I hope Tate isn't on PUP the first six weeks of the season.

 

[carolinatony]

I hope Tate isn't on PUP the first six weeks of the season.


I forgot about him. You are right; hope he not injured.

 

[mayoclinic]

I hope Tate isn't on PUP the first six weeks of the season.

Why would he be? Not that it couldn't happen, but there's no reason at this point to expect that.

 

[Jimke]

Why would he be? Not that it couldn't happen, but there's no reason at this point to expect that.

BB is so secretive about injuries that we don't know if Tate has another

ACL injury to the other knee.

 

[mayoclinic]

BB is so secretive about injuries that we don't know if Tate has another

ACL injury to the other knee.

Anything is possible, and, as you say, the team doesn't let out much. But my impression was that Tate's re-injury wasn't particularly severe (I believe he was observed riding the stationary bike on the sideline during the Miami game after he came out). It sounded more like the Pats realized that he wasn't ready and was being rushed back, and that they decided to be prudent and prefer a fully healthy Tate next season to an injury-prone Tate this season. I could be wrong, but at this point I don't think there's any reason to assume he will be on PUP to start next season.

 

[The Intimidator]

I think that Tate coming back it will drastically improve our kick return game. He is the NCAA all time in return yards and touchdowns. If his knees are okay, I think he will really improve the kick and punt returns. We could also address this through the draft in the middle to late rounds or even with a guy like Golden Tate in the 2nd round, would also provide a great outside presence along with Randy Moss.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Tate and Maroney at KR isn't likely to be too bad with Slater as the up back, but I'd still like to see another late round speedster with RB vision added in the offseason.

Edelperson showed some PR aptitude, let's get him healthy and see what develops. Welker and Faulk (assuming he's re-signed) provide an adequate baseline.

 

[cstjohn17]

I think that Tate coming back it will drastically improve our kick return game. He is the NCAA all time in return yards and touchdowns. If his knees are okay, I think he will really improve the kick and punt returns. We could also address this through the draft in the middle to late rounds or even with a guy like Golden Tate in the 2nd round, would also provide a great outside presence along with Randy Moss.

That is optimistic vision, lets hope Tate is the man. Meanwhile in 2009 the Patriots starting field position must be among the worst the in the NFL.

All units, including special teams can be improved.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think that Tate coming back it will drastically improve our kick return game. He is the NCAA all time in return yards and touchdowns. If his knees are okay, I think he will really improve the kick and punt returns. We could also address this through the draft in the middle to late rounds or even with a guy like Golden Tate in the 2nd round, would also provide a great outside presence along with Randy Moss.

That is the thing "if his knees are okay". Having torn my ACL, MCL, PCL and patella tendon is my senior year of college, I can tell you that the knee is not 100% in year one back, it is functional for straight line running, but cuts are tough and the leg is sluggish. It seems to me that a kick returner needs to make at least one really super sharp cut to be effective. Could Tate do that and be effective in the NFL?

Also didn't BB draft Slater a few years ago to be our return star? Wasn't he a great college return man in college? Is Slater completely devoid of confidence after the giant bungle against Pittsburgh last season?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

That is the thing "if his knees are okay". Having torn my ACL, MCL, PCL and patella tendon is my senior year of college, I can tell you that the knee is not 100% in year one back, it is functional for straight line running, but cuts are tough and the leg is sluggish. It seems to me that a kick returner needs to make at least one really super sharp cut to be effective. Could Tate do that and be effective in the NFL?

Also didn't BB draft Slater a few years ago to be our return star? Wasn't he a great college return man in college? Is Slater completely devoid of confidence after the giant bungle against Pittsburgh last season?

Slater's only issue is he's an arm tackle, no bounce in him whatsoever. He's a decent lead blocker, not as good as Willie Andrews, but he plays well there. He's as strong as Andrews on coverage teams, and it appears he has more offensive versatility to offset any differences between himself and Andrews. I'd like to find a one step acceleration, speedy/quick kid who has strong RB experience (high school or college no nevermind) in the late rounds - someone who runs through arm tackles, has good field vision, and the patience to set up his blockers and wait for his lane. Tate may be that, I suspect he strained an MCL and there was no percentage in giving him 6-8 weeks of healing and trying to bring him back in so late in the season. Edelperson may develop as an option by next year, but his arm limits him for now. I'd still love to see NE bring in a Mardy Gilyard to compete with Tate and Edelman for 3rd/4th WR and Returner duties, redundancy, it's what's for winners.

 

[SidelineSid]

I was looking back and don't remember us having any punt/KO TD returns?

Are you happy with our ST play or would like to see us make some off season moves. Its the plays that don't show in the stat's that can help win or lose a game imo ..called Field position.
Can this be coached up or is it more the players?

I only see 4/5 games on TV so I can't give a accurate opinion.
thanks

As I think about it, I have to agree with you. Consider this: What if our problems were more a result of the blockers on our returns. There was a recent rule change this off-season that banned the wedge. Maybe our style of special teams play relied on this aspect a little more than other teams.

Yes, we did lose Ellis Hobbs. There were also a number of other changes. We all know this is a transitional year for us. A bunch of young guys are being asked to step up and take on more than they have been asked in the past.

On a lighter note, I think we can find a bunch of good contributors in the draft. They'll be dirt cheap because they'll be special teams players, and they will give a number of young players some reps.

It may not seem like it now, but we are one draft away from being a very, very strong team again.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Well so far the we gave away Hobbs people are silent ... so far anyways.

Seriously ... I think Edelman and Tate will bring it in this department next year if they are healthy. I would also like to see Chung and Butler step up and get a shot, they both seem to have some serious burst speed.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'd still love to see NE bring in a Mardy Gilyard to compete with Tate and Edelman for 3rd/4th WR and Returner duties, redundancy, it's what's for winners.

That kid is really special, he took over the Cincy-Pitt game and single handedly won it for Cincy. Depending on how fast he runs at the combine, for us he can contribute on ST and as a third receiver.

My only knock on him is his chicken legs (IE: like Crable) and very few chicken leg players stay healthy in the NFL for whatever reason.

 

[SidelineSid]

That kid is really special, he took over the Cincy-Pitt game and single handedly won it for Cincy. Depending on how fast he runs at the combine, for us he can contribute on ST and as a third receiver.

My only knock on him is his chicken legs (IE: like Crable) and very few chicken leg players stay healthy in the NFL for whatever reason.

Color me skeptical. I don't see this kid making that kind of impact on the NFL level. He has talent, but NFL corners will reroute him and jam him at the line.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Color me skeptical. I don't see this kid making that kind of impact on the NFL level. He has talent, but NFL corners will reroute him and jam him at the line.

That is always a possibility with chicken leg guys,but Jackson of the Eagles is even smaller and doing quite nicely.

I see Gilyard as a Jackson type talent.

 

[SidelineSid]

That is always a possibility with chicken leg guys,but Jackson of the Eagles is even smaller and doing quite nicely.

I see Gilyard as a Jackson type talent.

Those two receivers aren't comparable. When Jackson showed up at the combine, Rod Woodson said that his performance was the finest workout of a wide receiver that he has ever seen. This guy has been around for a long time. He knows what he's talking about.

What makes Jackson so dangerous is his quickness, top end speed, and precise footwork. This gives him three ways to create separation. You could try jamming him, but he might elude you with his short area quickness.

You could try playing him with inside trail technique with help over the top. If he runs a deep post route [which he often does], he'll loose the corner when he changes direction with his ability to accelerate in short spaces. Then, he can simply out run the safety with his top end speed. The man is dangerous.

 

[jsull87]

my hope is edleman takes over from welker in punt returns. and tate becomes the #1 kick returner. and i think that should be the plan for next year