ST Coach Bonamigo looks to improve performance

a lot of fans overlook ST but it is SO important

"anlgp wrote:

a lot of fans overlook ST but it is SO important

Exactly, look at it this way, the opponent scores on field goal with 3 minutes left and we are now down by 1, they kick off deep and we field the ball, if the returner can make it to the 40 yd line we only need 25 yds or so, and the additional 10 yds on the return put us ten yds closer to field goal range.

10 yds is one series for a first down, not bad for "free" yards.

That is why imho we need a designated kick returner who can excel at it.

There was definite improvement in the coverage teams as the year progressed in 2008. I'm hoping we have a solid group of gunners who can really excess in the open field and make the big hit. It does no good to get to the returner and then whiff. We gotta box him in, and smash the ever-loving crap out of him. Ellis Hobbs is a dead man!!!!

"gi§h® wrote:

There was definite improvement in the coverage teams as the year progressed in 2008. I'm hoping we have a solid group of gunners who can really excess in the open field and make the big hit. It does no good to get to the returner and then whiff. We gotta box him in, and smash the ever-loving crap out of him. Ellis Hobbs is a dead man!!!!

ellis hobbes plays for philadelphia now

keys to 2009:
1) Special Teams
2) Offensive Line

"padre31 wrote:

Exactly, look at it this way, the opponent scores on field goal with 3 minutes left and we are now down by 1, they kick off deep and we field the ball, if the returner can make it to the 40 yd line we only need 25 yds or so, and the additional 10 yds on the return put us ten yds closer to field goal range.

10 yds is one series for a first down, not bad for "free" yards.

That is why imho we need a designated kick returner who can excel at it.

its better to have a weak return unit than a weak coverage unit. If our offense can move the ball, then we will score. But if we give up huge returns all day, our defense has no chance, and our offense is forced to do even better. It does work both ways; but I'd rather be great at stopping returns than getting returns if push came to shove. Although both would be awesome.

One of the problems over the past two seasons has been:

1. in 2007 the pats raided us for Sammy Morris, we lost Bowens to the Jets and Travis Minor went to Denver

2. in 2008, the roster was churned over constantly, and heading into 2009 our best all around St player, Erik Walden, is on the roster bubble.

and HC Sparano's philosophy is not exactly conducive to big plays in ST:

Sparano has made it clear he won't be reserving any spots on his roster for special teams specialists. His best, such as punt returner Davone Bess and kick returner Patrick Cobbs, also play significant roles elsewhere.

One quality Sparano admires in Bonamego is his enthusiasm for the job, which he manifests both on the field and in meetings.

The ST unit is the step child, imho that is a mistake.

Friend Gish:six of one, half dozen of the other
the game works this way: 1/3 offense + 1/3 defense + 1/3 special teams
need to win two of the three (or superior % combination of the three) to consistently win games

should be noted

very few players are exclusively special teams relegating (in some minds) the Special Team Unit to a step-child status
in reality it is as important as the offense or defense within the context of any given game

there are play books & special packages/plays for kick-offs & coverage & a seperate coaching cadre

however

they draw their talent almost exclusively from the offense & defense. Want to upgrade the Special teams?
everyone is potentially a special teams component. think about it. where are the best players for ST going to come from on that roster of 53. you play your best. you play to win. can't play any other way.

"gi§h® wrote:

its better to have a weak return unit than a weak coverage unit. If our offense can move the ball, then we will score. But if we give up huge returns all day, our defense has no chance, and our offense is forced to do even better. It does work both ways; but I'd rather be great at stopping returns than getting returns if push came to shove. Although both would be awesome.

Why can't it be both? Returns and coverage?

During the Wanny Era, and the Nicktator era, we had a sort of magic coach theory for the Oline, Houck could take scrubs and make them into decent starters and it never worked out, imho Sparano is sort of doing the same thing with ST Coach Bonamego, he has to make do instead of having a good core of ST players who eat up roster spots.

I can assure you there will be a major shake up on both returns & coverage.
We will use the best fit to produce a competitive special teams unit.
I expect to see a number of our first team utilized in the reconstruction of our horrendous SpecialTeam Unit in 2009.
We simply have to upgrade.:yes:

Like Sparano said;if you keep changing out your players,how can you get continuity on ST? We did alot of that last year trying to get better players at the bottom of the roster.
I see a big step forward this time around.Bigger,stronger,faster with a renewed confidence to get the job done.
Everyone's job is on the line.If you can't cut it on ST,there's no need to put on that Dolphins' jersey.You won't be here much longer.

my sentiments exactly. could have said it better myself. kudos Friend 54Fins!
"I see a big step forward this time around.Bigger,stronger,faster with a renewed confidence to get the job done.
Everyone's job is on the line.If you can't cut it on ST,there's no need to put on that Dolphins' jersey.You won't be here much longer."

"the 23rd wrote:

my sentiments exactly. could have said it better myself. kudos Friend 54Fins!
"I see a big step forward this time around.Bigger,stronger,faster with a renewed confidence to get the job done.
Everyone's job is on the line.If you can't cut it on ST,there's no need to put on that Dolphins' jersey.You won't be here much longer."

Really?

I sort of don't see that much of an improvement moving forward, Sparano won't use roster spots for the Best ST guys, they have to be the "right" ST guys, meaning if Brandon London isn't seen as a guy who can play Wr at a high level, he won't be here.

Simple & only solution to the problem:
Special Teams draw their talent almost exclusively from the offense & defense. Want to upgrade the Special teams?
everyone is potentially a special teams component. think about it. where are the best players for ST going to come from on that roster of 53. you play your best. you play to win. can't play any other way.

:morning:every farmers wife knows:
can't make a silk purse out of a sows' ear
got to have the material to work with to get the job done.
:hammertime:Run GinnJr Run!

Until they un brain cramp themselves and let Ginn return kickoffs full time like he was born to do, the Special Teams coach is about as much use as a baseball mitt. Ginn could be one of the best in the game if he got the touches. Biggest WTF??? ever if you ask me.
EDIT: OK maybe not as big a WTF??? as a Jamar Fletcher or "who the @#$% is Eddie F.N. Moore?" or Cullpepper? instead of Brees? but still
WHY ISN'T TED GINN RETURNING KICKOFFS?!?!???

ST's was hurt big last year by the incredible turnover or churning of the bottom of the roster. This year there will be a lot more continuity, yes we will still churn the bottom of the roster when an upgrade becomes available, but we have a LOT more talent on the roster this year so expect less turnover in ST's. This should help us to get to where ST's was the last 6 games last season, much earlier this season.

"padre31 wrote:

Really?

I sort of don't see that much of an improvement moving forward, Sparano won't use roster spots for the Best ST guys, they have to be the "right" ST guys, meaning if Brandon London isn't seen as a guy who can play Wr at a high level, he won't be here.

I just don't understand why you think that the only way to have a good STs unit is to have a roster spot set aside for a STs ace. Or that if you don't have that designated roster spot you therefore don't care about STs.

"rafael wrote:

I just don't understand why you think that the only way to have a good STs unit is to have a roster spot set aside for a STs ace. Or that if you don't have that designated roster spot you therefore don't care about STs.

Because you cannot demand performance then dispose of the ST players who do perform, that puts ST Coach Bonaemgo in the situation of retraining ST fillins over and over again during the season, and their performance is unknown until the ball is kicked off.

C'mon John, what are we doing out there?!?! Coverage is dreadful the past 2 weeks!

we took a step back last night in terms of coverage

"Frumundah Finnatic wrote:

we took a step back last night in terms of coverage

Well...sort of, it was more of mixed bag, we allowed that long return (with Fields being held) and Chris Williams muffed that led to a TD, but we also recovered a fumble on a punt and defended a busted FG play.

And Bryan should have hung onto the first fumbled punt...

I said it elsewhere and I'll repeat it here with a solid ST core (PLEASE somebody let Ginn return kick offs) we are Super Bowl bound. If we get the same old same old then we'll make the play offs but not make it past the second round!! JM2C:pity:

"padre31 wrote:

Because you cannot demand performance then dispose of the ST players who do perform, that puts ST Coach Bonaemgo in the situation of retraining ST fillins over and over again during the season, and their performance is unknown until the ball is kicked off.

Most of your STs will be made up of players who do something else. That's the reality of roster limits. How those players play together is what will determine if your STs excel or not. It will not be because you saved a roster spot for a STs ace.

The one exception would be an outstanding returner.

"gafinfan wrote:

I said it elsewhere and I'll repeat it here with a solid ST core (PLEASE somebody let Ginn return kick offs) we are Super Bowl bound. If we get the same old same old then we'll make the play offs but not make it past the second round!! JM2C:pity:

I'm drinking the kool-aid on a Super Bowl run. I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm b/c I know the odds are against every single team, but I'm doing a poor job of it.