Two Weeks Into Free Agency - Special Teams

[mgteich]

Curiously, Belichick has done quite a lot, primarily in bringing back what we had in the excellent 2014 special teams units.

Slater and White were re-signed. Gostkowski was franchised. Ott was brought back in case Aiken isn't Belichick's choice. Amendola's contract was restructured, so now he is a cost-effect WR and returner. Cadet is a returner, adding options on special teams.

Belichick focuses a lot on special teams, and pays a lot to keep his players.

 

[rookBoston]

White was a favorite of mine, after watching a lot of kickoff return coverage film last season. The guy always seemed to be around the ball. And even when he didn't make the tackle, had a way of shedding blocks and influencing the runner to keep him pinned.

I was concerned during Free Agency that he might be a player BB would try to replace with a late round pick or a journeyman free agent. As others have pointed out already, the depth chart is pretty deep, and you have to wonder how more than one or two rookies will crack the 53-man. White's role is one that you might be able to plug the right 7th rounder or UDFA into, and get results. But, happy to see him back on the roster, and obviously at a price BB is willing to pay.

 

[patsfaninpa]

We'll be elite here too. Maybe a drafted WR or RB can help on returns too. I love the kid from K-St, Lockett.

 

[meatface]

The pats have been trying to upgrade at long snapper for awhile but Aiken isn't the worst and it's hard to find an upgrade at long snapper.

 

[BTTA]

This is a good thread, and a nice anti-dote to the fantasy-football-fed analysis that creeps in.

IIRC, at least one of the new CB's has strong ST creds, in addition to the retention of the current players cited above.