Should Special Teams Be A Concern?
August 30th, 2010
Joe noted Saturday night that Jeff Bowden couldn’t have shanked more punts than Bucs punter Brent Bowden. But Joe wasn’t quite ready to sound the alarm on all Bucs special teams.
It seems eye-RAH! Kaufman is. The long-time Bucs beat writer for the Tampa Tribune believes the Bucs need major work on their special teams between now and when the season kicks off at the CITS in less than two weeks.
Tampa Bay’s special teams were among the league’s best in 2009, but kick coverage has been ragged in the preseason. A week ago, Chiefs rookie Javier Arenas returned a kickoff 54 yards to set up a TD drive.
Jacksonville rookie Scotty McGee brought back Connor Barth’s opening kickoff 47 yards Saturday night, but the Jags were limited to a 35-yard field goal by Josh Scobee.
Last season, the Bucs did not allow a kickoff or punt return longer than 37 yards.
Joe isn’t ready to jump off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge quite yet over the special teams play. Remember, the Bucs are using quite a few bubble players in different positions on special teams so naturally there isn’t a smooth flow, nor should one expect there be at this time of the year.
Now, by the time the Bucs host the Steelers, if special teams is playing overall lousy, then it will be a major concern.
August 30th, 2010 at 8:23 am
That was the punters first bad game.
As far as special teams coverage:
Part of me says once the regulars are there week in and week out it should be fine BUT you would think with all the different guys playing there over the last few weeks that they would be better because these are the guys trying to make the squad based on special teams.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:55 am
I believe that the special will come around. It’s early yet.
August 30th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
They miss Stovall. Graham is a good Special Teamer too.
WTF? Joe has been catching hell lately from many angles. I think we’re all ready for the real bullets to start flying.
Cover me, I’m F@@ked!
F@@k you, I’m covered.
August 30th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Biscaccia will have his special teams ready for the season. Will Morris have his defense ready? How about olsen, will the Offense be ready?
I think that the cleveland game will tell the tale on the whole season!
August 31st, 2010 at 2:21 am
The big kick return was the result of an over-aggressive Roberson leaving his lane with outside contain, missing the angle and letting McGee get outside. Roberson, like many players, is trying to earn a spot on the roster. He knows his chances are slim with Biggers healthy this year and playing well, and Myron Lewis looking better each week. Roberson played it too aggressively trying to impress with his special teams play to make the squad. Once the team is set, you’ll see guys stay in their lanes better and that won’t happen unless there are some great blocks on our contain guys.