Special Teams Has Been the Skins' Achilles Heel. Is Anything Going to Change This Season?
Bill Parcells revolutionized the game of football by declaring, and proving, that defense and special teams win games. Parcells won a Super Bowl with the Giants, took the previously horrible Pats to a Super Bowl, revitalized the Jets and, as GM last year, took the awful Dolphins from last place to a division title.
The Skins have had great defense, finishing in the top ten in the last four years. But special teams have been abysmal.
Think of it this way: because teams are so bad they play on a field that is about 10-20 yards longer than their opponents' field.
The stats:
For the 2008 season the Skins were ranked by stats gurus Football Outsiders as 25 out of 32 teams.
The Skins field goal rating was 18th, with Dallas ranking 2nd and the Giants ranking 3rd.
If the Skins had Peyton Manning and a potent offense it could perhaps overcome the poor performance of its special teams. But in 2008 the Skins offense ranked a scary 25 of 32 teams in terms of points scored.
So why does Danny Smith still have a job? Perhaps because his first name is Danny?
The Skins have had great defense, finishing in the top ten in the last four years. But special teams have been abysmal.
Think of it this way: because teams are so bad they play on a field that is about 10-20 yards longer than their opponents' field.
The stats:
For the 2008 season the Skins were ranked by stats gurus Football Outsiders as 25 out of 32 teams.
The Skins field goal rating was 18th, with Dallas ranking 2nd and the Giants ranking 3rd.
If the Skins had Peyton Manning and a potent offense it could perhaps overcome the poor performance of its special teams. But in 2008 the Skins offense ranked a scary 25 of 32 teams in terms of points scored.
So why does Danny Smith still have a job? Perhaps because his first name is Danny?
posted by Jessica at 3:12 PM
1 Comments:
The special teams is a concern - no doubt about it. At least we shouldnt have to worry about Randle El (Mr 2 yards and fall down) back there returning punts this year... The kicking game still concerns a ton... Suisham lead the league in FGs missed last year - and that's just unacceptable.
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