Chiefs Question on Special Teams problems

chiefzilla1501 · 12-06-2008, 05:49 PM

I would love to see Mike Priefer fired. But I'm wondering if there's also a second reason for the special teams struggles....

Many teams that have a deep roster can afford to use a few roster spots on special teams aces and gunners. Or if the decision is to keep a slightly above average player with no special teams value vs. a decision to keep an average player with special teams value, 9 times out of 10 a deep team will keep the latter option. Recall that when Vermeil was coach, the main reason he kept LJ as an inactive for most of his early years is because LJ provided no special teams value whatsoever.

It seems like building a great special teams unit is a luxury that deep teams have. But when you talk about a rebuilding team, it's got to be something that really suffers because every single roster spot is dedicated to a player you believe might have some starting potential. In many cases, because you are so unsure of your starters, you might keep an extra player on the roster. I just remember that when the Chiefs' special teams were at their best, they had special teams aces like Gary Stills, Boerigter, Blaylock, even Bartee and Quenton Caver.

Just curious... how much is our special teams problems a function of poor coaching from Priefer and how much is it from the fact that rebuilding has limited our ability to keep pure special teams aces on this roster. When I think about it, I'm not sure KC has any guys on special teams you could consider a true gunner.

kstater · 12-06-2008, 05:51 PM

The depth is bad, and they're using that bad depth as ST'ers.

Deberg_1990 · 12-06-2008, 09:37 PM

Does Pollard still play Special Teams?

Remember how good he used to be blocking kicks.

chiefzilla1501 · 12-06-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Does Pollard still play Special Teams?

Remember how good he used to be blocking kicks.

I can't remember. I think he does, but I don't think he's a true gunner on the coverage units. And I know Dajuan Morgan is supposed to be really good at special teams. And I think McGraw is supposed to be decent on special teams.

But other than that, what do we have? Brackenridge and Patterson were actually very strong at special teams last year, but they had to be cut because the Chiefs couldn't find room on the roster to fit them.

**Dartgod** · 12-07-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Brackenridge and Patterson were actually very strong at special teams last year, but they had to be cut because the Chiefs couldn't find room on the roster to fit them.

Didn't our STs suck last year too?

12-06-2008, 05:49 PM
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $2104497	Question on Special Teams problems I would love to see Mike Priefer fired. But I'm wondering if there's also a second reason for the special teams struggles.... Many teams that have a deep roster can afford to use a few roster spots on special teams aces and gunners. Or if the decision is to keep a slightly above average player with no special teams value vs. a decision to keep an average player with special teams value, 9 times out of 10 a deep team will keep the latter option. Recall that when Vermeil was coach, the main reason he kept LJ as an inactive for most of his early years is because LJ provided no special teams value whatsoever. It seems like building a great special teams unit is a luxury that deep teams have. But when you talk about a rebuilding team, it's got to be something that really suffers because every single roster spot is dedicated to a player you believe might have some starting potential. In many cases, because you are so unsure of your starters, you might keep an extra player on the roster. I just remember that when the Chiefs' special teams were at their best, they had special teams aces like Gary Stills, Boerigter, Blaylock, even Bartee and Quenton Caver. Just curious... how much is our special teams problems a function of poor coaching from Priefer and how much is it from the fact that rebuilding has limited our ability to keep pure special teams aces on this roster. When I think about it, I'm not sure KC has any guys on special teams you could consider a true gunner.
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12-06-2008, 05:51 PM	#2
kstater Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $1876563	The depth is bad, and they're using that bad depth as ST'ers.
Posts: 39,175

12-06-2008, 09:37 PM	#3
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Does Pollard still play Special Teams? Remember how good he used to be blocking kicks. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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