The Upgrade In Special Teams
December 4th, 2013
Bucs punt return specialist Eric Page is on the cusp of a franchise record.
Despite place kicker Rian Lindell continuing to gag his field goal attempts, the Bucs’ special teams unit has seen a rebirth, Joe believes largely to do the tutelage of special teams coach Dave Wannstedt.
And while Bucs fans are just now starting to become familiar with Eric Page, a return specialist who is still learning his craft, his strong play also explains just how long Bucs fans have had to suffer with mediocre play from the team’s punt return squad.
Page has two punt returns of at least 40 yards this season. Yet Page is one more 40-yard punt return short of tying a season record for the Bucs set by Jacquez Green in 1998 as a rookie.
Think about that for a moment. In the 37 years the Bucs have been in existence, the record for number of returned punts in a season of over 40 yards is three! That is simply incredible to Joe.
Page currently is 11th in the NFL in punt return average at 11.1 yards per return. This is just another example of the strong work Wannstedt has put in with his crew.
December 4th, 2013 at 7:52 am
Coach Wannstedt has done a great job.
What if the stadium is half empty this coming Sunday. And Buffalo’s d-line creates confusion to our coaches. JOE, do you think the Glazers surprise everyone with Wannstedt being announced as the new interim coach for the Bucs on Monday morning????
Hmmmm….
December 4th, 2013 at 8:54 am
Can someone tell me why we con’t to keep Rian Lindell employed? I don’t get it. And I don’t want to hear he is the best of whats available. I have NEVER seen a team keep a kicker around who misses so many FGs. It just protocol… you missed a FG, all you do is kick, you’re fired.
December 4th, 2013 at 10:42 am
Laughing stock lives up to his name. Schiano is finishing the season, no bones bout it
December 4th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
@harry – i remember gramatica suffering through a season and a half of really poor kicking before he was dismissed, but at least he had a track record in this town. the only thing i can think of is a subtle tanking maneuver, nobody of consequence is going to get fired because our 3rd choice kicker improved our draft position by missing some key kicks. if lindell were on a team competing for a wildcard he would’ve been gone 2 weeks ago. still, i’d rather see him walk the plank. dimke or any other free agent out there can give us at least what lindell has in terms of success rate.