An often overlooked aspect of football is special teams. When a team is good in that department, you don’t consider it much. When it’s a team’s weakness, it can drive you crazy and cost your team games. The Green Bay Packers are all too familiar with poor special team play, and they have prioritized improving it this offseason.
Green Bay Packers Retain Core Special Team Guys
The thing with special teams is consistency. It is often a side of the ball a young guy plays while trying to get a starting spot, and few guys are designated special teams guys. The Packers resigned guys who played a significant role last year.
Signings and special teams snap counts according to Pro Football Focus:
- Eric Wilson – led the team with 345 special teams snaps. (PFF Grade: 76.6)
- Kristian Welch – fourth in snaps with 237. (PFF Grade: 75.1)
- Keisean Nixon – 216 snaps. (PFF Grade: 58.3, 1st. Team All-Pro Kick Returner)
- Robert Rochell – 141 snaps. (PFF Grade: 70.1)
- Jack Podlesny – (Packers signed Podlesny, kicker, on January 24th, to a futures contract)
- Greg Joseph – (Packers signed Joseph to one year deal, kicker, former team was the Vikings)
Rich Bisaccia Has No More Excuses
With the Packers’ recent re-signings, Rich Bisaccia has a pull in the building. He also has no more excuses for the poor special teams’ play. Anders Carlson had the lowest extra-point percentage, at 87.2%, and the second—worst field goal percentage by .1%, at 80.5. Punter Daniel Whelan was bottom of the league in punt net yards at 39.7. Packer allowed 12.3 yards per punt return, which is in the bottom 25% of the league.
The Packers also allowed the most kick returns and kick return yards in the league, which might have been a coaching decision. In weeks one through nine, 12 kicks were returned. Weeks 10-18, 28 kicks were returned. Whether it was a coaching decision or a strategy, the risk of giving up a large return rather than starting at the 25-yard line doesn’t seem worth it.
Final Thoughts
The Green Bay Packers have a young and cheap offense, while the defense is one of the most expensive in the league. Last year, both sides of the ball showed highs and lows, but both showed their capabilities. Hopefully, by bringing back a core group of special teams guys, the Packers can get more consistency out of that side of the ball. If they can make a big jump in special teams play, this will be a tough team to beat next year.
Green Bay Packers Should Not Hesitate Drafting Defensive Line
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