Archived Thread

Special teams - what’s wrong?

gary_from_chester : 11/21/2022 12:52 pm

A lot of things have gone well the first half of this season for the NY Giants.

Special teams play is NOT one of them.

Apart from the glaringly obvious - poor punting by ‘The Scottish Hammer’ - just about every aspect has been sub-par.

Blocking - more than a few blocked PAT and field goal attempts
Coverage - didn’t look up the stats but can’t be good on kickoff and punt return yardage allowed based on the eye test
Return game - nothing much to speak of and a few too many turnovers to boot
Dependability - seems like we’ve had more penalties than usual

I like T-Mac as a coach, but something seems off. Not sure where things have gone south, but we are playing like a bottom third of the league unit. With the lack of playmakers on both sides of the ball, special teams play can be a difference maker and add a win or two over the course of the season.

Any insight on why we’ve played so poorly this year? Or is my take just wrong?

The talent on this roster, especially the type of players who

Ben in Tampa : 11/21/2022 12:56 pm : link

find themselves on special teams, is bad.

We need to move on from the "Scottish Hammer"

PatersonPlank : 11/21/2022 12:57 pm : link

Maybe an Irish one, or perhaps a more general Gaelic one.

The coach.

Joe Beckwith : 11/21/2022 1:02 pm : link

How many hundreds of players has he gone through and we’ve been singing this song of woe for years.
Maybe , if it’s not the coach, then the back end of the draft and UDFA signings should focus on ST specialists, like they did with Tyree( though he also was a 2nd string WR).

RE: The talent on this roster, especially the type of players who

Sammo85 : 11/21/2022 1:03 pm : link

In comment 15916822 Ben in Tampa said:

Quote:

find themselves on special teams, is bad.

This.

Giants have basically cobbled together a "best we can hope for" bottom 1/3 of roster with late draft picks, practice squad/street FA types". The specials lack any unique talents or dependability outside of Gano. Something the FO I hope addresses (punter, gunners, return man).

All the great special teams guys were promoted to the team ;-)

AlwaysASpiral : 11/21/2022 1:03 pm : link

And our special teams is now a bunch of walk ons.

1/2 /s

I think the punt coverage is mostly a product of Gillan's punting

Matt M. : 11/21/2022 1:05 pm : link

He doesn't get enough hang time and isn't booming anything as his nickname would indicate.

this ST coach gets a ton of praise

jmalls23 : 11/21/2022 1:07 pm : link

They have been awful for years. Tons of penalties on returns. I would say that almost every decent return winds up with a blocking penalty.

.....

CoughlinHandsonHips : 11/21/2022 1:26 pm : link

As others have said

Players who'd have a hard time making a different NFL roster are our starters.

Think about the caliber of player backing up these players - that comprises the special team unit.

RE: .....

gary_from_chester : 11/21/2022 1:49 pm : link

In comment 15916882 CoughlinHandsonHips said:

Quote:

As others have said

Players who'd have a hard time making a different NFL roster are our starters.

Think about the caliber of player backing up these players - that comprises the special team unit.

I’m not sure it’s that simple. We are 7-3, currently would qualify for a playoff spot. Teams less talented than we are do not have the same blocking issues, coverage issues, etc. I don’t think this is a talent issue. My comment was to the effect I like T-Mac as a coach BUT… something seems off. I can’t put my finger on in but I’m not a film junkie like some, or have connections to the team like others… thought someone might have a more intelligent take on it. I’m not buying the talent argument.

Time For A New Special Teams Coordinator

Trainmaster : 11/21/2022 1:49 pm : link

Most the coaches under Daboll are top notch. Time to make Special Teams Special.

Coaching? Not sure. But our punter either out

Blue21 : 11/21/2022 2:28 pm : link

Kicks the coverage or gets no hang time. And he definitely can't directional kick.

Carl Banks said on his Podcast about 3 weeks ago

arniefez : 11/21/2022 2:31 pm : link

teams with below average rosters often have below average special teams. How many NFL GM's or HC's would trade their 53 for the Giants 53? Houston? LV? Chicago? Who else.

I will add one thing here

jvm52106 : 11/21/2022 2:40 pm : link

and that is, the more your depth becomes starters the more the deeper backend of the roster becomes main ST's players. After awhile you have a whole host of deep backups playing vital special teams roles.

It is what it is.

Gano, with a built in legit excuse was awful yesterday and I am surprised we didn't go for two on the second TD.