What Can the Packers Expect on Special Teams in 2019?
Today, I ask whether Shawn Mennenga can fix the Packers Special Teams Unit in 2019.
Can Shawn Mennenga Fix the Packers Special Teams?
The Green Bay Packers special teams unit has been an area of weakness for a long time. Last season saw the Packers lose countless games because of special teams blunders. As we head into the 2019 season, the Packers look for Shawn Mennenga to finally right the ship for the Packers on special teams.
Mennenga does have some experience with Mike Pettine as their time in Cleveland overlapped in 2014 and 2015. This can only help as both coordinators know each other's thought processes and can immediately develop continuity with their players and enforce the same philosophies.
Additionally, he has served as a defensive coordinator in the past (2001,2005-2008) and has been a defensive positional coach in college, which will allow him to teach his players to focus on tackling and proper blocking techniques which were an area in which the Packers were deficient last season.
Mennenga spent seven seasons with the Browns as a special teams assistant under Chris Tabor (2011-2017) where he worked with the likes of Joshua Cribbs, Britton Colquitt and others who seemed provide a glimmer of sunshine during some of Cleveland's darkest days.
Bringing Stability to the Packers Special Teams Unit
The question that needs to be asked is whether Mennenga can bring immediate results to the Packers special teams unit, or whether his results in Cleveland were because of a good system and talented players who fit that system. It is a fair question to ask whether installing his system in Green Bay will take a season or more to implement as he will undoubtedly have to spend time weeding out players who cannot get the job done.
He will have to develop the special teams' games of players like Oren Burks, J'mon Moore, Josh Jackson, Josh Jones (if he stays in Green Bay) and other young players from the 2019 draft class, teaching them to be technically sound enough blockers and tacklers so they will not make game-altering blunders on a week to week basis.
Mennenga will have to get his young players to understand that consistent and productive performances on special teams will put the coaching staff on notice and allow them to gain additional reps at their respective positions in the event that a player is injured or not performing up to the standards set by the coaching staff. Additionally, he will have to find a way to bring consistency to JK Scott's punting game and get the placekicking team on the same page.
My guess is that we will see a gradual improvement in 2019 as Mennenga turns over the roster of the special teams unit and looks for players who will play technically sound football on a consistent basis. Fixing these areas on special teams could easily increase the Packers win total by two or three games in 2019.
We here at Cheesehead TV wish Shawn Mennenga the best of luck fixing this disastrous special teams unit and hopefully making it yield more positive results in 2019.
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David Michalski is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @kilbas27dave
Comments (53)
Point-Packer
June 19, 2019 at 04:08 pm
Special Teams: another poop stain on Mike McCarthys XXXL polo. Literally cost GB a SB and god knows how many games. Hired his buddies to lead the unit. Hope like hell those days are over.
dblbogey
June 19, 2019 at 09:00 pm
MM kept Slocum 3 years too long, kept Capers 4 years too long. There is quite a string of just dumb mistakes in the MM era.
RCPackerFan
June 20, 2019 at 06:23 am
To be fair. It would have been nice to have seen what Capers could have done with a GM that was willing to use FA to get players.
greengold
June 22, 2019 at 09:53 am
No doubt, RC!
Roadrunner23
June 19, 2019 at 04:31 pm
You are what you commit to.
Special teams never seemed to be a major focus in The McCarthy era. Lack of execution on Special teams led to many heartbreaking defeat’s and a chance at another Super Bowl at Seattle. McCarthy always seemed to put his worst qualified coaching buddies at the special-teams position and it cost them.
Let’s hope the new ST coach is a good one.
He sure seems like a no nonsense kinda guy.
Turophile
June 20, 2019 at 03:36 am
This is generally true. As nostradanus said, you get what you emphasise, and McCarthy never put the necessary focus on special teams.
One positive for ST is the Packers policy of gathering of some of the most athletic players available. There is the potential for there to be a solid unit given good training and a commitment throughout the coaching staff to get better.
Time will tell if the Packers can improve some of their longer-term weaknesses (defense, running game, tackling , ST). I have hope that they can improve all of these. There are some positive signs already, but you cannot get too excited in OTAs. At least 2019 should prove to be a very interesting journey.
albert999
June 19, 2019 at 05:46 pm
special teams can’t get any worse so i believe the new coach there on ST’s will rise to the challenge and make a real upgrade in that area
dobber
June 20, 2019 at 08:05 am
I'm usually reluctant to use the old, "It couldn't possibly get any worse", comment because invariably I get proven wrong.
However, in this case, trying just about anything is better than sticking with what we've seen in recent years.
Grandfathered
June 21, 2019 at 08:33 pm
Your comment reminded me of the Packers ST units of the late 70's and all through the 80's. Yes, it can get worse.
Since'61
June 19, 2019 at 06:03 pm
Special Teams require attention to detail, just like the rest of the team. STs need players who are aware of the game situation, such as not returning a KO out of the end zone when Aaron Rodgers is your QB.
ST players need to be assignment sure, stay in their lanes, make their blocks, etc.
If the new ST coach can just cut down on the penalties and sloppy play the STs will be significantly improved. Time will tell. Thanks, Since ‘61
Lare
June 20, 2019 at 05:43 am
My sentiments exactly. Less penalties and stupid mistakes, consistent play and no turnovers would be a huge improvement for the ST's.
Coldworld
June 19, 2019 at 07:12 pm
Incisive point.
It’s the boneheaded plays that cost us most dearly, but the same lack of focus was behind the routine failure to stay in lanes etc.
It’s not just about athleticism, that’s important, but about athletes who understand what they are doing and coaching is about getting them to that point so that they can be aware of what to do if the next person loses assignment, a kicker shaped to throw etc.
Hopefully the new coach will instill that along with an understanding of the consequences of freelancing. That seemed beyond the ST coaches we have had here for a long time.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2019 at 11:17 pm
It's like Belichick says, he wants smart players on the field. Keeping some of these hammerhead scrubs over the years cost this team key games and a SB berth.
ThxJackVainisi
June 19, 2019 at 06:22 pm
I was disappointed they didn’t close the deal with Darren Rizzi. I think he was at or near the top of the list of candidates.
But of course, I do wish Mennenga the best of luck. :)
Samson
June 19, 2019 at 07:09 pm
Reportedly, the Saints offered an "arm & a leg" for Rizzi. --- The Packers didn't match or exceed the offer.... Happens all the time, especially in the NFL coaching carousel.
ricky
June 19, 2019 at 07:10 pm
He was the top choice. But GB didn't want to pay him, so he went elsewhere. Whether this is penny wise and pound foolish remains to be seen. IfMennenga can get the guys to play with intensity, focus and discipline, the ST's will be improved. If not...
Lare
June 20, 2019 at 03:31 pm
I don't think money was the issue. I think it was more his family not wanting to move from Florida to Green Bay.
ricky
June 19, 2019 at 07:11 pm
He was the top choice. But GB didn't want to pay him, so he went elsewhere. Whether this is penny wise and pound foolish remains to be seen. IfMennenga can get the guys to play with intensity, focus and discipline, the ST's will be improved. If not...
IceBowl
June 19, 2019 at 09:12 pm
31 other teams..... Not all are a fit.
IceBowl
June 19, 2019 at 07:29 pm
OK folks, I have posted before and I will reiterate it here.
Last year we witnessed the creativity ST can have. (not with us) Unique in my watching career. 50+ years.
It would be absolutely crazy if the Pack doesn't have that capability involved in their ST play. What a weapon and option!!
Very important the specific distance/time is selected. But make the D defend every inch of the field, every situation, every minute.
Last year those ST plays changed football, IMO. I want the Pack do double down, and make those plays, plus plays.
Yes we can.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2019 at 11:37 pm
You get the feeling LeFleur knows the game is played 60 minutes. That includes the transition game. Mccarthy talked a good game about every play counting BS, but seeing is believing. Foregoing 2pts when the odds favor it or taking your team out of the field position battle with 54-56 yard field goal attempts (misses) in the second or third quarters was unsound. Le Fleur mentioned the triad from day one. Belichick is deeply involved with the sp. teams coaching. He knows it helps you win key games at key moments.
hobowilly
June 20, 2019 at 02:36 pm
Couldn't resist foot-stomping this: Belichick is deeply involved with the sp. teams coaching. He knows it helps you win key games at key moments. Bluntly, this is what i abhorred MM for: his lack of situational awareness in key game moments and overall poor play calling in the clutch . For those handful of times GB pulled games out of the fire, it was AR that pulled it off, despite MM's stubborn non-creative play calling.
Coldworld
June 22, 2019 at 07:41 am
ST in the league is changing too. We can’t be left behind in the dark ages on this.
Coldworld
June 19, 2019 at 07:16 pm
Golfers have coaches for their swings. I have often wondered why NFL teams don’t have a specialist kicking mechanics coach.
porupack
June 19, 2019 at 07:30 pm
Yeah, I kick my mechanic sometimes too for the same reason, for not being more of a specialist.
IceBowl
June 19, 2019 at 07:36 pm
porupack,
Give him a chance to clean that blob of grease off his foot.
Adorabelle
June 20, 2019 at 11:36 am
You mean they don't have a "swing coach" for when the kicker gets into a bad habit? Good grief.
IceBowl
June 20, 2019 at 07:03 pm
Adorabelle,
Sure they do. There is a sensor in the jock strap. :-)
Adorabelle
June 20, 2019 at 09:08 pm
<<Sure they do. There is a sensor in the jock strap. :-)>>
Shock treatment when he does it wrong. Now thats motivation.
IceBowl
June 20, 2019 at 09:28 pm
Adorabelle,
I said a sensor, but your idea has merit. Won't be able to wear white pants though.
splitpea1
June 19, 2019 at 08:43 pm
Mennenga should just burn any film from last season and tell any holdovers from last year's unit (except for maybe Crosby) to forget everything they ever learned and start anew. I can't see any other way to go about it. Establish competence first by not shooting yourself in the foot with dumb penalties, blown assignments, and a lack of awareness. Practice long-snapping endlessly and be prepared to replace any specialist that isn't getting the job done. Don't screw around with anybody.
jannesbjornson
June 19, 2019 at 11:43 pm
A lot of those players have already been tossed by Gutekunst. I like the new speed with Burks, Jaire, Jackson ,Savage, Hollman, Summers, J Moore, Greene, jamerson and the TEs can contribute some seal blocks. They should be better with Scott's placement and Crosby can return to form.
Tundraboy
June 19, 2019 at 09:19 pm
Truly Special Teams.
IceBowl
June 19, 2019 at 09:45 pm
1st game....
Davis returns kickoff out to the 45.
Illegal block in the back brings the ball back to the 9.
Can't this be taught?
Leatherhead
June 19, 2019 at 11:09 pm
We could have just started on the 25.
Special teams are comprised of UDFAs and rookies and guys who got called up from the practice squad. They’re going to make more mistakes than Rodgers and Davonte Adams. Why give them the chance?
ILPackerBacker
June 20, 2019 at 11:04 am
The trouble with this is that Tramon was far and away the worst member of the special teams. That he got repeated chances to make MENTAL mistakes on fielding the ball is also an a big clue of really subpar coaching and teaching.
jannesbjornson
June 20, 2019 at 02:13 pm
He's not going to sacrifice his body at this point in his career. That's a young guys spot.
Leatherhead
June 20, 2019 at 04:00 pm
Tramon didn't do us any favors returning punts, but the only reason he was returning them is that the guys who would have been doing it were already hurt. But we had a lot of bad plays on special teams, and I certainly wouldn't single Tramon out as the worst.
IceBowl
June 20, 2019 at 07:10 pm
Old School,
No doubt we have had so many ST failures/blunders that they are hard for us to trust.
That does not excuse them, EVER!!
I believe we need performance from all 3 facets of the team. No excuses, execution and performance.
And the ability/execution to make a 6/7/8/9 yd play on a fake is needed. In this NFL you had better have that in your play book. Your opponents will.
Befuddled
June 21, 2019 at 05:00 am
Two turnovers were the result of players Moore, Montgomery, deciding to return the ball instead of taking a knee in the end zone. I would rather see them take a knee when the ball is kicked into the end zone and start at the 25. Even when they bring it out there rarely get past the 25 so why risk it.
dobber
June 20, 2019 at 08:17 am
I thought they've taught that very well...
Point-Packer
June 20, 2019 at 11:53 am
It got to a point that I expected a flag on every kick/punt return and was surprised when their wasn't one. It was that bad. MM's inability to fix the super special GB special teams unit was one of the many reasons why the Pack didn't return to the SB post 2011 - though interestingly the GB special team was ranked #27 in 2010. That being said, there's literally not one Special Teams player that I can point to as a standout on that unit since Randall Cobb was returning kicks..
IceBowl
June 20, 2019 at 06:52 pm
Our SB MVP was our kick returner.
Tundraboy
June 20, 2019 at 04:07 pm
Thanks for reminding me of that. If there's one single thing I do not want to see any returns called back.
ILPackerBacker
June 20, 2019 at 11:02 am
Generally like David but he and most fans should know better. The issue with ST was the coach. Repeatedly failing to get the correct people in and not being prepared.
Go back and LISTEN to him admit after the NE game that on the critical roughing the punter call he was UNPREPARED. His words. Not my words, his.
LISTEN to him talk about knowing the wrong people were on the field and specifically that the guy who roughed was not fast/quick enough for the block.
That tied to the total lack of accountability at 1265 and the failure of the inbred press to follow up so few people know this happened. Not a single follow up question to the idiot inept non competent coach. Watch it, watch the reporters paying ZERO attention to this.
The special teams should be enough better that everyone notices.
hobowilly
June 20, 2019 at 02:23 pm
Oh, and one more thought: I'm really charged with the new group of mgmt/coaches. Digressing quite a bit concerning past players and how long they were kept specifically: I was never a Jarrett Bush fan....he tried 3-4 years being a CB and was Gunter like (never got it and cost the team dearly). Since (apparently) he had pictures of someone in a compromising situation...just kidding, he was kept on. He eventually became a very good gunner, and believe he made the pro-bowl and had an interception in the super bowl even. My point is: we now have a GM and hopefully like minded HC that will work like heck to get the best out of a players' talents, but if after a couple years, they don't contribute....then off to Appleton! Nothing against Bush personally, many of us have had challenges but few can say we were given the opportunity to play in the NFL. For that kind of $$, don't most put out 110% and most don't use PED's and such. Here's wishing Jarrett well, life continues!
Lare
June 20, 2019 at 03:37 pm
Bush and Gunter were Ted's guys. You don't win Super Bowls with those types of players.
flackcatcher
June 21, 2019 at 11:03 pm
Gunter was in a impossible situation in 2016. He liberality was the last corner standing. Go back and watch the last 8 games of that year. Capers went big 7 because he had no CB. Randall and Rollins both had serious quad injuries that should have IR them both for the year, but they played because the Packers had no one else. And in case you forgot, it was that spit and duct tape defense that got the Packers to the NFC champ game that year. (YES, yes, we all know Rodgers played out of his mind during that run. greatness on display. But it was that old and slow and beat up secondary that found a way to shut down elite WR like OBJ that got them there. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. McCarthy and Capers did some of the best coaching you will ever see, in getting a beat up and crippled team that had no business even being on the field into the NFC champ game that year.)
Leatherhead
June 20, 2019 at 03:58 pm
Didn't we win a Super Bowl with Bush? And didn't he make a really good interception in the game?
Adorabelle
June 22, 2019 at 01:37 pm
One of my favorite plays is the one of Bush intercepting a pass in the Super Bowl. But I really think he got it because he was in the wrong place, left the tight end wide open, and got to the ball because Big Ben thought there was no way anyone would be where Bush was.
LeotisHarris
June 20, 2019 at 08:21 pm
I hope the Packers don't lose countless games again this season because of special teams blunders. If Coach Mennenga can't right the ship, and without a glimmer of sunshine the Packers are destined to finish 0 and countless.
IceBowl
June 20, 2019 at 09:45 pm
LeotisHarris,
We have said that same thing over the last few years. Each new ST coach was going to solve the issue. Previous coaches were paid millions, as is MENNENGA.
It is time to make ST an EQUAL part of the packers.
Points to be had, games to be won. No joke.
greengold
June 22, 2019 at 10:06 am
It will be interesting to see how "accountability" comes into play with LaFleur. STs will be one of those areas of prime focus this season.
I think we will be way better than we have been, just for the coaching change alone, but, add to that a more athletic, football smart group of players assembled by Gutey.
New leadership and improved personnel top to bottom will help this unit immensely.