Special Teams' Impact in 2011

[freddyg12]

I am not confident that either the O or D units are near playoff caliber yet, but I think special teams may be our strong point & could get us to .500 or better, espcially if Gano improves. Last year, between Banks' TDs that were called back & some Gano misses, this team might've been 8-8 at least. How much of a difference will special teams make this year?

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

I am not confident that either the O or D units are near playoff caliber yet, but I think special teams may be our strong point & could get us to .500 or better, espcially if Gano improves. Last year, between Banks' TDs that were called back & some Gano misses, this team might've been 8-8 at least. How much of a difference will special teams make this year?

Kicking/punting game has been struggling for long time. The return game and coverage teams were solid. This is the make or break year for Gano...need him to take that next step. With an offense which has been so poor for several years, kicking is an extremely important part of our game, we need ever freakin point we can get. Gano making that transition to solid kicker is just as important as Armstrong taking that next step at receiver or Helu/Royster breaking out at running back.

[Monkeydad]

If we can get a competent longsnapper, Gano will be fine. Bidwell is a great punter when healthy. Of course Banks is a spark plug. We should be solid on ST but that LS situation will really determine it.


Albright should still be able to do it. I don't know why we let him go in the first place. I'm also unsure why he couldn't stick with another team for more than a few weeks.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Monkeydad

If we can get a competent longsnapper, Gano will be fine. Bidwell is a great punter when healthy. Of course Banks is a spark plug. We should be solid on ST but that LS situation will really determine it.


Albright should still be able to do it. I don't know why we let him go in the first place. I'm also unsure why he couldn't stick with another team for more than a few weeks.

Albright had back issues when he was let go. I would hope they solidify the LS situation though.

[Monkeydad]

Wonder if Jamarcus can longsnap? He did have a strong arm and should be heavy enough to block.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Monkeydad

Wonder if Jamarcus can longsnap? He did have a strong arm and should be heavy enough to block.

lol! I hadn't thought about the LS situation that much, but that's a great point & is part of Gano's alibi for 2010. I think we have something in Gano, he just needs to make some big kicks early in the year & he'll be alright.

[firstdown]

Why not have Lorenzo Alexander long snap? He does everthing else.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I read somewhere that Banks might not even be on the team with all the WRs we drafted. It's tough to make it as a return specialist alone.

[mlmpetert]

^ That was what i was thinking when looking over the draft picks. I honestly give him a 50/50 shot at making the team.

[Monkeydad]

Either Niles Paul or Aldrick Robinson could be a really good KR.


I'd hate to see Banks go.

I think he'll make the team. Malcolm Kelly will not. Going to be a tough competition at WR and RB. Great problem to have.

[freddyg12]

We're already assuming Paul & Robinson are going to contend for spots. So often, 5th & 6th round picks are 1st cuts. If those guys are good, it will be tough for Banks, but I think he showed what a dangerous returner he was last year & on a team w/a pretty sluggish O he should make the team.