With so much emphasis put on offense and defense, the value of having an effective special teams unit gets lost in the numbers.There are very few kickers, punters, long snappers, gunners, or holders that actually get any recognition for tasks the preform. Special teamers are often taken for granted, and if they mess up, they are ridiculed by fans and coaches, and can be cut from the team. However there is always one guy on the field that every fan always has their eyes on, the kick returner. On any given kick, the return man has the chance to make a game-changing play and spark excitement in everyone watching. This ability has made kick returners quite valuable and essential for any team's special teams units.
The evolution of the kick return specialist is an interesting one. At one time, all a team needed was to just put someone back to return a kick, and hope that he didn't muff it. As time went on, coaches began to realize the value of having someone who could take the ball for a score anytime they touched the ball. So they would put one of their superstar players back there to return the kick. But being a kick returner is a dangerous job, and coaches and owners didn't want to risk their big money players getting hurt; so a breed of players became prominent, the kick return specialist.
Most of these are players trained for one purpose, which is to return kicks. They normally are one of the shorter, faster, and more athletic players on the field, but rarely start at any other position on the team. Today, some players are drafted just for their unique return talents, and many have made quite a name for themselves as kick-returners (enter: Devin Hester). These kind of players will likely be a returner for the rest of their useful careers, and are well known throughout the league as a major play maker.
The good ones are loved and praised by fans and are difference makers, sure, but as a kick returner, there is one golden rule that all must follow, don't lose the football. The biggest sins any returner could make are 1. Muff the punt, or 2. Fumble the football. It seems so basic, catch the ball, hold on to the ball, run with the ball. However many people underestimate the difficulty of fielding a kick: there is loud noises, wind, tons of pressure, and 200 pound guys running towards the returner at top speed with intentions to rip his head off. It is not exactly someones "dream job," but none the less, it is a job that needs to be done by a brave soul; and if he can't follow the one golden rule, he'll be taken of the field as fast as he was put on.
There is no award yet for being the most valuable kick returner in the league, but I have no doubt that one day there will be. Finding a good return guy is like finding a diamond in the rough. He will shine and can score at any time, so don't blink, you might miss it.
Key Week 8 Matchups.....
Green Bay Packers (4-3) @ New York Jets (5-1)- Two division leaders square off in a battle of hard nosed teams looking for a run at the Super Bowl. Its the pass first Pack vs. the run first Jets, who's strategy will be more effective against two very good defenses. The Packers have struggled mightily with injuries, and will try to build off of last weeks division win over the Vikings, while the Jets only seem to be getting healthier, with Revis Island back to 100%.
My Pick: Jets over Packers
Denver Broncos (2-5) @ San Francisco 49ers (1-6) in LONDON- The coaches for both of these teams are on the verge of losing their jobs. Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is now 4-13 after starting last season with a 6-0 record, while Mike Singletary, coach of the 49ers, has failed to meet his teams expectations. Live, from London, this is the battle of losers.
My Pick: Broncos over Niners.
Houston Texans (4-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (4-2)- The Colts are still fuming after losing to the Texans Week 1, but with both of these teams fighting to win the AFC South, it will a game to watch. Two weak secondaries against two of the best offenses in the NFL. Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub will have their way with the defenses this week. Indy's home field advantage might be the game changer.
My Pick: Colts over Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) @ New Orleans Saints (4-3) Halloween Night- I'm sure that the Superdome will be filled with ghosts and ghouls on Halloween Night, but unfortunately they won't scare away one of the best teams in the NFL at this point. The Steelers look to be the most complete team in the league, with a great offense and defense. The Saints have been struggling with turnovers all season and are coming off an embarrassing loss to Cleveland last week.
My Pick: Steelers over Saints
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