Not So Special
By Max on May 31, 2010 with 7 Comments
Do you remember the last time a Green Bay Packer returned a kickoff for a touchdown? According to Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette it’s been nearly a decade.
“The Green Bay Packers haven’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown in almost a decade. Since Allen Rossum’s 92-yard runback for a score at Lambeau Field on Nov. 19, 2000, helped beat the Indianapolis Colts, 26-24, the Packers’ kickoff return game has gone dark.”
Has it really been that long? I realize the Packers’ kick return teams have been bad, but almost ten years of a special teams unit not executing its sole function? That’s simply unacceptable.
As I read Vandermause’s column, I couldn’t help but remember a conversation I had with my father earlier this year. My father asked me if I remembered what Bill Parcells said when he was asked about who made the difference in Super Bowl XXXI. Parcells’ answer? Desmond Howard. Oh, what Ted Thompson would do for a player of Howard’s caliber. Actually, Thompson would probably cut him before the season even started in favor of an extra fullback. (I’m just kidding…I think.)
I’m not the first to say it, but the Packers need a player who can take one to the house. They need a game-changer; they need that special player that opposing coaches scheme against. Maybe that player is already on the roster; maybe it’s Will Blackmon or the speedy rookie, Sam Shields. Whether it’s one of the aforementioned players or someone else, the fact remains that the kick-return game has to improve. After all, can it get any worse?
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Kick return is a mistery.
I really like Blackmon on Punt returns. He has the feel.
But he’s not fast enough, and can’t break tackles enough for kick returns… There’s Shields, there’s Dillon though…
I like Shields or Dillon returning kicks; they’re both supposed to be pretty fast. Hopefully one of those guys can make the roster as a return man.
Somebody has to come through because if I watch Jordy Nelson return another kick, I’m going to have to vomit. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s going to be a good receiver, but on kickoff returns he might as well have two left feet.
Actually, I believe Nelson had a 99-yard kickoff return TD against Detroit last year nullified by a penalty.
not sure of the yardage but i think your right.
It doesn’t count for two reasons. One, as you pointed out, there was a penalty. Two, it was against the Lions. Don’t Lions games count as 2 extra exhibition games?
In my opinion, Jordy Nelson is not the answer at returning kicks. He might be fast, but has very little elusiveness. It seems like he runs 25 yards and hits the backs of his blockers on every kick. Whether it’s Nelson’s fault, the blockers not being able to open any holes, or the fact Slocum sucks as coach and doesn’t teach well, something must be done to fix the kickoff return issues.
Anyone else think Shields was signed specifically for this area? Howard was essentially a returner in 96, contributing very little on offense. If he can add field position on a regular basis, I’d be fine giving a roster spot to a specialist.
There’s just one thing.
Shields didn’t return kicks in the U.
Yes, I know, he actually had a KR for TD. But it was a reverse. He was a gunner in the U (a damn good one, nonetheless).
So, he has the speed and the potential, but he didn’t do it in college…