The Special Teams Problem
 

Good article at Sports on Earth yesterday, trying to put context around how bad the Redskins Special Teams actually are.

[url=http://miketanier.sportsonearthblog.com/redskins-special-teams-may-be-the-worst-ever/]Redskins Special Teams May Be the Worst Ever | The Tailgater[/url]

They probably aren't going to cost this roster a playoff berth, but I think independent of special teams, this is an 8-8 roster. It's a 5 or 6 win roster after factoring in having to overcome a huge weakness to start or end every drive.

It will take a year or two to get the special teams units on track again, but this does appear to be rock bottom. I don't think we'll have to worry about the problem getting worse next year.

ST sucks but so does D and hell even O sometimes. It's a 3 phase shit right now

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

There are no shining beacons of hope...but the defense has played a really, really tough schedule. No, the Vikings aren't a tough opponent. They just crapped the bed last Thursday.

8-8 isn't where we want or need to be, but it's at least where we would be if the Special Teams units weren't collapsing under their own weight.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

I've been watching it all year, it's flat out horrible

I would.like 8-8 after this start

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

After watching Sav shank a 15yd punt, I realized it can only get better for the team next year.
I think it is time to make plans for 2014 FAgency.
Rak, Baker, moss, Riley, doughty, Jackson are guys I hope can resign cheap or walk b/c we have upgraded.
I feel like the $36 million in cap will be spent fast with all the needs we have. WR, RT, G, DE, MLB, CB, FS, SS.
I've sort of lost confidence in Shanny's drafts but perhaps Thomas will come back strong next year. For the love of god, get LeRibeus on the subway diet or something.

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;1040637]Good article at Sports on Earth yesterday, trying to put context around how bad the Redskins Special Teams actually are.

[url=http://miketanier.sportsonearthblog.com/redskins-special-teams-may-be-the-worst-ever/]Redskins Special Teams May Be the Worst Ever | The Tailgater[/url]

They probably aren't going to cost this roster a playoff berth, but I think independent of special teams, this is an 8-8 roster. It's a 5 or 6 win roster after factoring in having to overcome a huge weakness to start or end every drive.

It will take a year or two to get the special teams units on track again, but this does appear to be rock bottom. I don't think we'll have to worry about the problem getting worse next year.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for posting that...I too agree that the Special Teams are the biggest problem for the Redskins.

The Defense is the other major problem. Of course when the Offense goes into it shell, that does not help either.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[B][I]2013 Redskins:[/I][/B] putting the "[I]special[/I]" in Special Teams

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Redskins ST

Team PR Avg 6.1 Rank [B]30[/B] TD 0
Opp PR Avg 20.1 Rank [B]32[/B] TD 2 [B]LAST[/B]
Team KR Avg 20.0 Rank [B]32[/B] TD 0 [B]LAST[/B]
Opp KR Avg 20.9 Rank 8 TD 0

Team Punt Gross Avg 41.8 Rank [B]32[/B] Blocked 1 [B]LAST[/B]
Team Punt Net Avg 34.0 Rank [B]32[/B] [B]LAST[/B]

[I]Note: Punt OOB 12. Most in League. Affects Gross Avg.[/I]

Team FG Att 15 Rank 22
Team FG Made 10 Rank [B]31[/B]
Team FG Pct 66.7 [B]31[/B] Blocked 1
Team FG Over 50 Yds 0-2
Team PAT 26-26 100%
Team Blocked Kicks 0

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Nick Williams.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Alexander really held this unit together. I didn't think we'd miss him as much as we do. I don't think the coverage would be nearly as bad if he was still here.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Monkeydad;1040687]Nick Williams.[/quote]

I love that man. I thought he played really good in pre-season but was he a returner in college? The coaches must not have confidence in him if he's just festering on the practice squad.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Hijinx;1040656][B][I]2013 Redskins:[/I][/B] putting the "[I]special[/I]" in Special Teams[/quote]


Yes not to be offensive, because some will be offended, but the Redskins have an Offensive Team, a Defensive Team and a Special Needs Team.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

This problem lies on GM Mike S. It is hard for him to make roster moves and focus on game planning for the next weeks opponent. The move to sign Chris Rainey should have been made months ago. Sav has been inconsistent at best and the Perry Riley should not be on special teams anymore.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;1040709]I love that man. I thought he played really good in pre-season but [B]was he a returner in college?[/B] The coaches must not have confidence in him if he's just festering on the practice squad.[/quote]

Nick Williams was an outstanding PR/KR in college. I hope they didn't bring him up just to see him sit on the bench.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;1040658]Redskins ST

Team PR Avg 6.1 Rank [B]30[/B] TD 0
Opp PR Avg 20.1 Rank [B]32[/B] TD 2 [B]LAST[/B]
Team KR Avg 20.0 Rank [B]32[/B] TD 0 [B]LAST[/B]
Opp KR Avg 20.9 Rank 8 TD 0

Team Punt Gross Avg 41.8 Rank [B]32[/B] Blocked 1 [B]LAST[/B]
Team Punt Net Avg 34.0 Rank [B]32[/B] [B]LAST[/B]

[I]Note: Punt OOB 12. Most in League. Affects Gross Avg.[/I]

Team FG Att 15 Rank 22
Team FG Made 10 Rank [B]31[/B]
Team FG Pct 66.7 [B]31[/B] Blocked 1
Team FG Over 50 Yds 0-2
Team PAT 26-26 100%
Team Blocked Kicks 0[/quote]

Thanks for those numbers. Those are some sad ST stats.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[IMG]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4FQK_CB0ac4G7qwLk3WGroUrYPKYxKPuZ-q8C0BlWc8VeBBPK[/IMG]

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;1040709]I love that man. I thought he played really good in pre-season but was he a returner in college? The coaches must not have confidence in him if he's just festering on the practice squad.[/quote]

Can I return kicks?


[img]http://www.csnwashington.com/sites/csnwashington/files/nick-williams.png[/img]


[YT]Agnm4_-Xb6E[/YT]

[YT]pa_dm0D2p4k[/YT]

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Mattyk;1040706]Alexander really held this unit together. I didn't think we'd miss him as much as we do. I don't think the coverage would be nearly as bad if he was still here.[/quote]

I knew his leaving would hurt us, just not this bad. Was really sad to see him go especially when it seemed he wanted to stay but felt the team slighted him in negotiations.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Zerohero;1040776]I knew his leaving would hurt us, just not this bad. Was really sad to see him go especially when it seemed he wanted to stay but felt the team slighted him in negotiations.[/quote]

I don't know whether we slighted him, it seems we just ran out of cap space to sign him for what he needed to stay. Blame Mara if you need to blame anyone.

Count me as another long term fan who is now just apathetic... We've got a serious problem when the majority of core fans on the Warpath project a loss to a mediocre Eagles team. Hope somebody is paying attention.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Zerohero;1040776]I knew his leaving would hurt us, just not this bad. Was really sad to see him go especially when it seemed he wanted to stay but felt the team slighted him in negotiations.[/quote]

We had no money and Arizona was promising him more playing time on D.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Nick Williams looks good for sure, but putting dudes back there seems like poison for us. Dudes who show potential get back there in a live season situation and just blow.

I am starting to wonder if that has less to do with the player running back the kicks and more to do with the other special teams players who seem to do nothing right, ever. (I'm saying, they probably can't block)

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

nick williams has special teams ace written all over him.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Mattyk;1040706]Alexander really held this unit together. I didn't think we'd miss him as much as we do. I don't think the coverage would be nearly as bad if he was still here.[/quote]

Not only is he missed on ST but also as Fletcher's backup. Funny thing is when I complained that the Redskins didn't resign him I was told he's just another Specials Team player. How did this turn out? They could have found a way to keep him.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Gary84Clark;1040792]nick williams has special teams ace written all over him.[/quote]

I'm hoping the Redskins don't get stupid and release him during the off-season. He will definitely go somewhere else and shine. I could also see him developing into a Welker type of receiver. Probably nowhere near as good, but ability wise; small and fast.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;1040786]Nick Williams looks good for sure, but putting dudes back there seems like poison for us. [/quote]

So no more dudes on punt returns? Time for chicks or just send 11 guys for the block every time?

Hey...that's not a bad idea but you know we'd end up roughing the punter every time. Penalties are killing us.


[quote=DynamiteRave;1040795]I'm hoping the Redskins don't get stupid and release him during the off-season. He will definitely go somewhere else and shine. I could also see him developing into a Welker type of receiver. Probably nowhere near as good, but ability wise; small and fast.[/quote]


NE will replace the always-injured Amendola with him and he'll end up being Brady's next Wes Welker.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

the only thing that worries me about nick williams as a returner is his speed . . . he as clocked at 4.62 coming out of college and for someone as small as him that is very slow . . . niles paul is a 4.4 guy and he seems to slow out there . . . granted williams is much quicker than paul, but will also go down far easier as he is far smaller . . .

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=SkinsGuru;1040924]the only thing that worries me about nick williams as a returner is his speed . . . he as clocked at 4.62 coming out of college and for someone as small as him that is very slow . . . niles paul is a 4.4 guy and he seems to slow out there . . . granted williams is much quicker than paul, but will also go down far easier as he is far smaller . . .[/quote]

From his highlights, he seems to have great vision and what is known as "game speed". If he catches the ball, makes the first man miss, runs for 20 yards and then is caught and tackled, I'll be more than satisfied. If he does more than that, I'll be thrilled!

But he can't do anything unless he is given the chance. You'd think that with our ST's being as bad as they are, that the coaches might want to try someone different as a punt returner. I just hope they give Nick a try against the Eagles.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=SkinsGuru;1040924]the only thing that worries me about nick williams as a returner is his speed . . . he as clocked at 4.62 coming out of college and for someone as small as him that is very slow . . . niles paul is a 4.4 guy and he seems to slow out there . . . granted williams is much quicker than paul, but will also go down far easier as he is far smaller . . .[/quote]

Yeah Paul runs a 4.8 in games.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Speed is overrated especially on returns. It's more about vision and quickness.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

It may be that Nick Williams is not playing due to ball security issues. If so, I'm happy if he stays on the bench. Worse than a return game that gains nothing is a return game which turns over the ball.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[quote=Lotus;1040975]It may be that Nick Williams is not playing due to ball security issues. If so, I'm happy if he stays on the bench. Worse than a return game that gains nothing is a return game which turns over the ball.[/quote]

By that reasoning they brought him up to do nothing. I doubt that is the case.

There are enough positions where we could use help that if they weren't planning to use him then they should have scoured the list of free agents for someone who they thought could help.

No, I expect him to return kicks against Philly.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

I'd be surprised if he isn't returning punts on Sunday. Very happy for him, been following his game for a few years now. Big fan

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Per The Washington Post:

"Coach Mike Shanahan praised the practice-field performance this week of rookie wide receiver [B]Nick Williams [/B]but stopped short Friday of officially naming Williams the Washington Redskins’ punt returner for Sunday’s game at Philadelphia."

[I]I would hate to think that Mike Shanahan feels any pressure to make changes to the worst special teams unit in the league. On the other hand, if it's not working why not try something different?[/I]

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Just found this thread again...

Well it is a year later, and the Special Teams still look like Crap!

They still can't tackle, and still can't stay in their lanes.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Despite the coaching change, teams continue to look terrible. I think our punter and return game is better, but our schemes, blocking, and tackling is still poor. Need to get a kicker in the offseason for sure.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[QUOTE=Chico23231;1087514]Despite the coaching change, teams continue to look terrible. I think our punter and return game is better, but our schemes, blocking, and tackling is still poor. Need to get a kicker in the offseason for sure.[/QUOTE]
I agree COMPLETELY!

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

I say we bring Lorenzo back next year, he'll be a FA.

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

Everybody we play against starts on their own 40...
We start on our own 12...
Nick for President!

Re: The Special Teams Problem
 

[QUOTE=SFREDSKIN;1087516]I say we bring Lorenzo back next year, he'll be a FA.[/QUOTE]
I agree!