Bretsky
02-15-2007, 11:54 PM
Nobody does it worse
Ranking reflects state of special teams
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Feb. 15, 2007
Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers changed their kicker, their punter, their kick returners and their special-teams coach last season.
It just didn't do much good.
Based on the Dallas Morning News' annual statistical analysis, the Packers finished 32nd in overall special-teams performance in 2006, just as they did in '05.
"A thirty-second rank in special teams is not OK," coach Mike McCarthy said. "We definitely need to improve. There's no question about it."
The analysis ranked teams in 22 areas of special teams, with one point assigned to the best team in each category and 32 points for the worst. After finishing last with 442½ points in 2005, the Packers were even worse in '06 with 493½ points.
Chicago was first with 237½ points, followed by Tennessee (240), Buffalo (252½), the New York Jets (295), Cleveland (296½) and Detroit (296½).
Four of the eight teams at the bottom of the rankings were coached by first-year head coaches with offensive backgrounds. The list included Green Bay under McCarthy, Houston under Gary Kubiak, Minnesota under Brad Childress and St. Louis under Scott Linehan.
From 1990-2004, the Packers never ranked worse than 25th. They were eighth in 2003, ninth in '04 and then 32nd in '05 under John Bonamego, who coached New Orleans to a tie for 10th in '06.
Bonamego's replacement, Mike Stock, was out of football in 2005 after coaching St. Louis to a 32nd-place finish in '04.
Although displeased with the results, McCarthy pointed out that there were almost no catastrophic mistakes made by the special teams.
"I don't think you can sit there and talk about scheme or displacement," he said. "Everybody talked about our youth but the guy who had the most youth was the special teams coach. That was never talked about.
"You can't get too far away from the film. We didn't finish last in any of the categories. But things like no points, no blocks, no turnovers, that's the stuff that's more about attitude and approach than anything. I'm actually excited about the body types and the ability. We've got a lot to work with."
Stock and his assistant, Shawn Slocum, will return. McCarthy said he didn't attempt to lure Steve Hoffman, the exceptional kicking coach who wasn't retained by Atlanta but then was hired by Miami this week as assistant special teams coach.
As a Packers consultant in the '05 off-season, Hoffman made improvements in punter B.J. Sander. If kicker Dave Rayner and punter Jon Ryan fail to improve in their second seasons, the Packers might seek replacements.
"I'm very comfortable with the technique work and the fundamentals that they do with both our kickers," McCarthy said. "You didn't even know both of our kickers when the season started. I think you'll see some improvement just from some of the things we're going to do with Jon in the off-season."
The Packers ranked 24th in punt-return average and 31st in kickoff-return average. However, McCarthy saluted 30-year-old punt returner Charles Woodson for catching everything and preventing most roll yardage.
"You look at what Devin Hester did in Chicago, that obviously makes a difference," he said. "I feel very good about (Woodson) but also you've got to be conscious of his age and (position). I'm going to look at (Shaun) Bodiford and some other young guys."
The Moss matter: Some fans are clamoring for the Packers to trade for Oakland wide receiver Randy Moss, who turned 30 this week and is presumed to be available. But there has been almost no internal discussion of Moss by the Packers.
The trading period opens March 2 but, at this point, the Raiders appear almost directionless.
Mike Lombardi, owner Al Davis' top personnel man, reportedly has been under fire for months. Sean Jones, the former Packers defensive end who held a prominent position as a Raiders pro scout and contract negotiator, was recently fired, according to an official with an AFC West team.
The Raiders probably will hold out for at least a second-round draft choice and, under general manager Ted Thompson, the Packers have based their rebuilding on acquiring more picks.
"We're about 95, 98% complete with our scheme evaluation," McCarthy said. "We've really pushed the envelope the last three, four weeks. The best way to improve is with the people you have."
No match: McCarthy had experience practicing against other teams as an assistant in Kansas City and Jacksonville. Last year, he discussed the possibility of working against the Chiefs, who train in River Falls, but nothing came of it.
"I've been a part of it and I like the work, but I'm not really leaning toward another team this year," McCarthy said. "There's pros and cons of that, with injuries and getting exactly what you want. You can get into some bad situations."
In August 2005, the Packers conducted practices and an intra-squad scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills in Green Bay.
Ranking reflects state of special teams
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Feb. 15, 2007
Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers changed their kicker, their punter, their kick returners and their special-teams coach last season.
It just didn't do much good.
Based on the Dallas Morning News' annual statistical analysis, the Packers finished 32nd in overall special-teams performance in 2006, just as they did in '05.
"A thirty-second rank in special teams is not OK," coach Mike McCarthy said. "We definitely need to improve. There's no question about it."
The analysis ranked teams in 22 areas of special teams, with one point assigned to the best team in each category and 32 points for the worst. After finishing last with 442½ points in 2005, the Packers were even worse in '06 with 493½ points.
Chicago was first with 237½ points, followed by Tennessee (240), Buffalo (252½), the New York Jets (295), Cleveland (296½) and Detroit (296½).
Four of the eight teams at the bottom of the rankings were coached by first-year head coaches with offensive backgrounds. The list included Green Bay under McCarthy, Houston under Gary Kubiak, Minnesota under Brad Childress and St. Louis under Scott Linehan.
From 1990-2004, the Packers never ranked worse than 25th. They were eighth in 2003, ninth in '04 and then 32nd in '05 under John Bonamego, who coached New Orleans to a tie for 10th in '06.
Bonamego's replacement, Mike Stock, was out of football in 2005 after coaching St. Louis to a 32nd-place finish in '04.
Although displeased with the results, McCarthy pointed out that there were almost no catastrophic mistakes made by the special teams.
"I don't think you can sit there and talk about scheme or displacement," he said. "Everybody talked about our youth but the guy who had the most youth was the special teams coach. That was never talked about.
"You can't get too far away from the film. We didn't finish last in any of the categories. But things like no points, no blocks, no turnovers, that's the stuff that's more about attitude and approach than anything. I'm actually excited about the body types and the ability. We've got a lot to work with."
Stock and his assistant, Shawn Slocum, will return. McCarthy said he didn't attempt to lure Steve Hoffman, the exceptional kicking coach who wasn't retained by Atlanta but then was hired by Miami this week as assistant special teams coach.
As a Packers consultant in the '05 off-season, Hoffman made improvements in punter B.J. Sander. If kicker Dave Rayner and punter Jon Ryan fail to improve in their second seasons, the Packers might seek replacements.
"I'm very comfortable with the technique work and the fundamentals that they do with both our kickers," McCarthy said. "You didn't even know both of our kickers when the season started. I think you'll see some improvement just from some of the things we're going to do with Jon in the off-season."
The Packers ranked 24th in punt-return average and 31st in kickoff-return average. However, McCarthy saluted 30-year-old punt returner Charles Woodson for catching everything and preventing most roll yardage.
"You look at what Devin Hester did in Chicago, that obviously makes a difference," he said. "I feel very good about (Woodson) but also you've got to be conscious of his age and (position). I'm going to look at (Shaun) Bodiford and some other young guys."
The Moss matter: Some fans are clamoring for the Packers to trade for Oakland wide receiver Randy Moss, who turned 30 this week and is presumed to be available. But there has been almost no internal discussion of Moss by the Packers.
The trading period opens March 2 but, at this point, the Raiders appear almost directionless.
Mike Lombardi, owner Al Davis' top personnel man, reportedly has been under fire for months. Sean Jones, the former Packers defensive end who held a prominent position as a Raiders pro scout and contract negotiator, was recently fired, according to an official with an AFC West team.
The Raiders probably will hold out for at least a second-round draft choice and, under general manager Ted Thompson, the Packers have based their rebuilding on acquiring more picks.
"We're about 95, 98% complete with our scheme evaluation," McCarthy said. "We've really pushed the envelope the last three, four weeks. The best way to improve is with the people you have."
No match: McCarthy had experience practicing against other teams as an assistant in Kansas City and Jacksonville. Last year, he discussed the possibility of working against the Chiefs, who train in River Falls, but nothing came of it.
"I've been a part of it and I like the work, but I'm not really leaning toward another team this year," McCarthy said. "There's pros and cons of that, with injuries and getting exactly what you want. You can get into some bad situations."
In August 2005, the Packers conducted practices and an intra-squad scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills in Green Bay.