Special Teams Top Guns

[mgteich]

We have three units: offense, defense and special teams. All three have starters and backups.

I am somewhat amused by those who year after year indicate that some 6th or 7th rounder or UDFA will be a starter on special teams just because they are a better #6 wide receiver, a better #9 LB or a better #9 defensive back than some of the BEST SPECIAL TEAMERS AROUND!

SPECIAL TEAMS
If Crable ends up on PUP, I have FOUR special teams positions.
Aiken, Jones, Banta-Cain and Ciurciu are my choices. Alexander, Slater and Ventrone are also competing for those positions.

I do understand that there are those who would keep Edleman or Nunn or both. IMHO, keeping either would mean cutting a top special teamer.

 

[DaBruinz]

We have three units: offense, defense and special teams. All three have starters and backups.

I am somewhat amused by those who year after year indicate that some 6th or 7th rounder or UDFA will be a starter on special teams just because they are a better #6 wide receiver, a better #9 LB or a better #9 defensive back than some of the BEST SPECIAL TEAMERS AROUND!

SPECIAL TEAMS
If Crable ends up on PUP, I have FOUR special teams positions.
Aiken, Jones, Banta-Cain and Ciurciu are my choices. Alexander, Slater and Ventrone are also competing for those positions.

I do understand that there are those who would keep Edleman or Nunn or both. IMHO, keeping either would mean cutting a top special teamer.

The only problem is that Banta-Cain isn't doing too well, according to Chris Price.

 

[patriot lifer]

The only problem is that Banta-Cain isn't doing too well, according to Chris Price.

i saw that little exchange with Chris. i think one of the few things going for him is that they've been lining him up at both the 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB. But that versatility might not be enough.

 

[Deus Irae]

i saw that little exchange with Chris. i think one of the few things going for him is that they've been lining him up at both the 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB. But that versatility might not be enough.

...particularly since they just traded for another player who can do the same thing.

 

[mgteich]

I understand that Banta-Cain isn't doing well as a DE and even as a LB. HOWEVER, the open question is how he is viewed as a special teamer. I do understand that if Crable is on PUP, linebacker skills become more important. But is Alexander really an option at OLB.

I'd be fine with Aiken, Jones and Ciurciu as our top guns on special teams.

 

[wdkantro2]

I understand that Banta-Cain isn't doing well as a DE and even as a LB. HOWEVER, the open question is how he is viewed as a special teamer. I do understand that if Crable is on PUP, linebacker skills become more important. But is Alexander really an option at OLB.

I'd be fine with Aiken, Jones and Ciurciu as our top guns on special teams.

Ventrone has been calling signals on the punt team behind/instead of Aiken quite frequently in the practices I've been to. I think there's maybe a 1% chance he doesn't make this team.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Ventrone has been calling signals on the punt team behind/instead of Aiken quite frequently in the practices I've been to. I think there's maybe a 1% chance he doesn't make this team.

I'm not going to say that Ventrone is a roster lock, but remember that, despite the fact he played only on STs, and wasn't even involved in signal calling, Belichick saw enough in what he contributed on STs that he was active every week he was healthy.

 

[Mike the Brit]

SPECIAL TEAMS
If Crable ends up on PUP, I have FOUR special teams positions.
Aiken, Jones, Banta-Cain and Ciurciu are my choices. Alexander, Slater and Ventrone are also competing for those positions.

I'd be interested to know what aspects of their camp performance makes you think that those four are in the lead -- and how you think that the balance of the special teams slots on the team might be affected by the new rule change.

Thanks

 

[Deus Irae]

What would be interesting to find out, although we may never do so, is whether or not the new special teams coach has an impact on which players from the 'old guard' remain going forward.

 

[QB12]

...
I do understand that there are those who would keep Edleman or Nunn or both. IMHO, keeping either would mean cutting a top special teamer.

So mgteich - what would your projected roster look like?

QB12

 

[Deus Irae]

So mgteich - what would your projected roster look like?

QB12

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/257358-post-your-current-roster-projections-page2.html#post1452977

 

[signbabybrady]

I posted about this in a roster breakdown thread.

here is basically what I said

IMO Slater and Aiken are two of the better STs players on the team.

how good a STer McGowan, Lennon, and Crable are will make a difference in which other STers make it. because they are on the bottom of the depth at their positions and if others are better at STs than they might get a spot over them.

If they are not good enough look for some of these guys to make it instead ventrone, Tully, Alexander, Ciurciu, Herna-Daze or someone else I might be overlooking that we know have STs skills.

At the end of my post I realized Edelman was on the 53 and think Ventrone will be on the team instead of him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It's been a great camp battle so far, but there's a month to go before BB's final decision, with much of those practices behind closed doors. The one thing we are assured of, BB brought in a number of top "specialist" Special Teamers for camp, again highlighting his valuation of Special Teams.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I'm not going to say that Ventrone is a roster lock, but remember that, despite the fact he played only on STs, and wasn't even involved in signal calling, Belichick saw enough in what he contributed on STs that he was active every week he was healthy.

At one point last year Bill was breaking down ST coverage film on All Access and he said that Bubba was the lynchpin on our coverage units. Other teams look for him and attempt to double team him, which leaves someone else open to make a big play. That is also why we went to the huddle prior to kickoffs - to make it harder for them to identify where Ventrone is coming from. But the fans think he's a shmuck so he's probably a gonner...:ugh:

 

[muslimman]

At one point last year Bill was breaking down ST coverage film on All Access and he said that Bubba was the lynchpin on our coverage units. Other teams look for him and attempt to double team him, which leaves someone else open to make a big play. That is also why we went to the huddle prior to kickoffs - to make it harder for them to identify where Ventrone is coming from. But the fans think he's a shmuck so he's probably a gonner...:ugh:

Are you kidding I thought it was common knowledge that Ventrone is one of our best STers. I cant even remember the last Pats game I watched in which Ventrone didnt contribute.

 

[DaBruinz]

At one point last year Bill was breaking down ST coverage film on All Access and he said that Bubba was the lynchpin on our coverage units. Other teams look for him and attempt to double team him, which leaves someone else open to make a big play. That is also why we went to the huddle prior to kickoffs - to make it harder for them to identify where Ventrone is coming from. But the fans think he's a shmuck so he's probably a gonner...:ugh:

Last year was Ventrone's first full year on the roster. I wasn't that impressed with what I saw of him on the coverage units and I feel he's replaceable. Could I be wrong? Yep. Could I be right? yep. I was right about Cassel last year when everyone else was naysaying him.

BB brought in a ton of special teamers this year because he clearly didn't like everything he saw last year from the units as a whole. Could that mean Ventrone is safe? Maybe. But bringing in McGowan, Daze-Jones and Ciurcui tells me he's not.

 

[DaBruinz]

Are you kidding I thought it was common knowledge that Ventrone is one of our best STers. I cant even remember the last Pats game I watched in which Ventrone didnt contribute.

You must have blocked out the last game they played because Ventrone wasn't on the field. And Ventrone didn't play most of the season in 2007.

Ventrone is the Pats version of Rudy, in terms of being hustle and heart and a no quit attitude. Its not a bad thing. Its just that there are other players who, imho, bring as much to the table as he does and more, who are probably going to be cut.

 

[patriotscpfc]

Ventrone was there in every game making a tackle.

How many Special Teamers have gone this year?

Kelley Washington. Larry Izzo.

Aiken, Ventrone and Slater all looked better as gunners for me.

Ventrone's tackle in the Superbowl was awesome.

Slater was first down there every time as he went down the field the same side as Ventrone and he flew through the gap that was the double team on Bubba and most of the time got the hit on the KR whether he knocked them down or not, he got the early hit to slow the returner down.

Those 3 are key to our Kick-off team. Slater also has been playing more as a Safety in camp this year, Aiken is a capable 5th WR. Bubba is a Special teams ace.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

That is also why we went to the huddle prior to kickoffs - to make it harder for them to identify where Ventrone is coming from. But the fans think he's a shmuck so he's probably a gonner...:ugh:

Was it really because of Ventrone? I know it's to disguise the coverage, so to speak, but if it's specifically to confuse teams about Bubba. . . .

 

[RoughingthePasser]

What would be interesting to find out, although we may never do so, is whether or not the new special teams coach has an impact on which players from the 'old guard' remain going forward.

Scott O’Brian was the ST Coach in Cleveland for Bill. He’s been an ST coach for 18 yrs.

Cool article:
New coach Scott O'Brien brings passion -- and fun -- to Patriots' special-teams play | New England Patriots | projo.com | The Providence Journal





Plus, Bill has some experience and is always checking out the players. He was ST Coach for the Lions ‘76-‘78, ‘78 Asst. ST Coach for the Broncos and ’79 Asst. ST for the NYG.