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Green Bay Packers: Let’s Talk Special Teams

By Arty Vezikov

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“The special teams needs to improve; it’s definitely an area of concern in the past. We have to continue to develop our players to play as quickly as possible … the standard of play from our veteran players is not where it needs to be.”

Strong words from the leader of the Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Offseasons are made for change and if the past two seasons are any indication, McCarthy means business. The Packers coach vowed to renew the running game in 2013 and what came of that? The team drafted Eddie Lacy, who has rushed for 2,317 yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

What about 2014? McCarthy promised the team’s defense would be different. Despite struggling in run support early on, the Packers came out firing differently after the bye week. Everyone made a big deal about outside linebacker Clay Matthews‘ transition inside but one could see the team’s execution is what deserves the credit. Players, not plays, as they always say. Last year, we saw the team go after and sign Julius Peppers, draft safety Ha-Ha Clinton Dix in the first round of the draft, and rotate defensive backs around, making them one of the team’s strengths.

The Pack ended the year ranked 15th in total defense – only 2 spots behind the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots – as well as 13th in points allowed and 10th in pass defense. Compare those rankings to the year prior and you’ll see a night-and-day difference.

So that brings us to this year. Work needs to be done with the special teams unit, that much is for certain. A few key issues come to mind immediately. First off, the team had seven kicks blocked during the year. Though most came in victories and were essentially meaningless, it’s something McCarthy has pointed out on several occasions and will be working on this offseason.

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The team also struggled mightily in kick returns. Running back DuJuan Harris, who is no longer on the team but has taken his talents to Minnesota, was the team leader in kickoff returns – totaling 456 yards om 22 returns, a measly average of 20.7 yards per return. The team had a 19.1 yards per return average overall, ranking second-to-last in the league. Playing a good portion of their games in the cold, it is all the more important to have an above-average return man. The cold air prevents the ball from being kicked as far and field position becomes a point of emphasis by coaches.

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Punt returns tell a different story. Cornerback Micah Hyde and wide receiver Randall Cobb shared punt return duties, combining for an average of 11.5 yards per return and two touchdowns. The bitter taste in fan’s mouths from last season’s special teams unit comes from the NFC title game loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where the Packers allowed a fake field goal for a touchdown and then botched a simple onside kick in the waning moments of the game.

Less than two weeks later, the Packers fired special teams coach Shawn Slocum. In the era of accountability, it comes down to the head coach and how he deals with adversity.

Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers assistant special teams coach Ron Zook reacts against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 28-22 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

So what changes have we seen so far? As we saw earlier this year, Slocum was replaced by his assistant Ron Zook, who is entering his second year with the team. There will be a new kickoff return specialist will take his place. Coach McCarthy has also stepped down from primary play-calling on offense so that he could oversee the special teams unit as well. Well into OTAs, he was true to his word.

“We’ve spent a lot more time on special teams in Phase II than we have in the past,” said McCarthy to Vic Ketchman of Packers.com, “and we’ll spend more time on special teams in Phase III than we have in the past.”

The Packers emphasized youth involvement because this is undoubtedly a young man’s game. However, McCarthy wants to see more out of his veterans especially on special teams. Perhaps we won’t see who exactly will be out there until the regular season rolls around, but we can tell from his tone that there needs to be more accountability.

From now until September, coaches will need to find a solution for their issues with the return game. The good thing is that there are several in-house options to replace the departed Harris and hopefully jump-start the poor performance on special teams. Let’s take a look at a few.

Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis from Wisconsin, a second-year man, looks to rebound from a lost season. He was drafted last year with a look to the future as being a replacement for the return team. He’ll have every opportunity to earn that job this year. With the Badgers, he totaled 31 career kickoff returns for 800 yards (25.8 average) and 55 punt returns for 587 yards (10.7 average). Abbrederis has a natural ability to see the field and elude tacklers.

We all know about what Cobb can do. Though at 5’10”, 192 pounds, he is more suited for punt returns rather than kickoffs. Even during last season, coach McCarthy said he refused to play with the fear that one of his star players might get hurt in the return game. Hyde, despite returning his fair share of punts last season, also returned four kickoffs for 96 yards (24.0 average). The year before, he had 22 returns for 531 yards, a solid 24.1 average. We’ve seen him make guys miss on his two punt return scores and even step up on defense with two interceptions last year.

Also ready to compete is rookie wideout Ty Montgomery out of Stanford. He was taken in the third round, surprisingly to many, for his ability to return kicks in college. Montgomery led the nation in kickoff return average last season. With the Cardinal, he averaged 27.4 yards on kickoff returns during his career and scored three touchdowns.

Of course, we also can’t dismiss any number of rookies that may impress in training camp and earn a spot on the opening day roster.

If it’s options McCarthy is looking for, he’s got them. As we’ve seen in previous years, he does not take offseasons lightly and holds himself responsible when things do not go as planned. McCarthy has a vision for what he wants and you had better believe he is going to do what it takes.

The special teams unit is a great place to show this off.

Next: Green Bay Packers: 5 Key Stats

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