Special Teams
So the Vikings upgraded their offense this year by filling the holes on the OL. The defense, riddled with injuries last year, should be about a thousand times better as well. But what about Special Teams? How many losses last year might've been wins with better special teams? In an article on the sidebar, we're reminded of the following almost-impossible-to-believe stats...
• Finished 31st in Rick Gosselin’s annual review of NFL special teams play.
• Ranked dead last in punt return average at 4.3 yards per return.
• Ranked dead last in starting field position on BOTH offense and defense. Putting them at a huge disadvantage on both sides of the ball.
• Ranked dead last in overall field goal percentage at 68.18, the ONLY team below 70 percent in the NFL.• Punter Britton Colquitt ranked 31st in net punting average.
• Allowed the third-most punt return yards in the league.
• Place Kicker Dan Bailey missed 13 kicks, ten of which came in the last five games.
• Were one of only seven teams to allow a kickoff return TD, with former first-round draft choice Cordarrelle Patterson taking one to the house on MNF in Week 10.
• Rookie WR K.J. Osborn, drafted in the fifth round as a return specialist, was a major disappointment who eventually lost both the punt and kick return jobs.
https://vikingsterritory.com/2021/analysis/its-all-eyes-on-qb-kellen-mond-but-this-is-the-vikings-draft-pick-who-could-have-the-biggest-impact-in-2021
“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't." - Tom Waits
@"MaroonBells" said: So the Vikings upgraded their offense this year by filling the holes on the OL. The defense, riddled with injuries last year, should be about a thousand times better as well. But what about Special Teams? How many losses last year might've been wins with better special teams? In an article on the sidebar, we're reminded of the following almost-impossible-to-believe stats... • Finished 31st in Rick Gosselin’s annual review of NFL special teams play. • Ranked dead last in punt return average at 4.3 yards per return. • Ranked dead last in starting field position on BOTH offense and defense. Putting them at a huge disadvantage on both sides of the ball. • Ranked dead last in overall field goal percentage at 68.18, the ONLY team below 70 percent in the NFL.• Punter Britton Colquitt ranked 31st in net punting average. • Allowed the third-most punt return yards in the league. • Place Kicker Dan Bailey missed 13 kicks, ten of which came in the last five games. • Were one of only seven teams to allow a kickoff return TD, with former first-round draft choice Cordarrelle Patterson taking one to the house on MNF in Week 10. • Rookie WR K.J. Osborn, drafted in the fifth round as a return specialist, was a major disappointment who eventually lost both the punt and kick return jobs.
Only one way to go, up!
Two returners, one kick blocker, a potential LS, P, who can also play TE, and a converted QB who could be up man on the punt team. Definitely threw some talent at the issue.
I do think poor coaching was a big factor with last seasons ST unit. So that hopefully has been rectified. But they did add some nice athletes in the draft who can play STs who are also capable of being depth at positions of need. So I would like to think the talent level will be better as well.
@"Geoff Nichols" said: I do think poor coaching was a big factor with last seasons ST unit. So that hopefully has been rectified. But they did add some nice athletes in the draft who can play STs who are also capable of being depth at positions of need. So I would like to think the talent level will be better as well.Should be better across the board. Improving our field position on both offense and defense will make a big difference, but unless we land on a kicker who can be better than Bailey, not many will notice. We might need to get a little lucky there.
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