Packers Season Preview - Special Teams

Though oftentimes unnoticed and underrated, special teams plays an important role in a football game. Kick and punt coverage teams can dictate whether an opponent has to go 40 yards or 80 yards to get into the end zone. In the same way, kick and punt return teams can dictate whether their own offense has to go 40 or 80 yards for a score. When a team kicks a field goal, it is often described as "settling" for three points, rather than taking six. In fact, kickers usually go unnoticed for doing their jobs right and are attacked ferociously by fans and the media if they are not perfect.

In Green Bay this season, there are strengths, weaknesses and question marks across various parts of special teams. Perhaps the most important piece to consider in an assessment of the special teams is that long-snapper Rob Davis retired after 11 seasons with the Packers. Davis provided the Packers with stability and consistency at an unsung position during his tenure, playing in 151 consecutive games, a streak second in Green Bay only to a certain departed quarterback. Davis made the clock tick in both the punting and field goal kicking units. His departure has already been noted.

The Packers expected J.J. Jansen to replace Davis this season, but Jansen was injured during the Packers final pre-season game against Tennessee. There was talk of coaxing Davis out of retirement, but Ted Thompson ultimately decided to sign free agent Brett Goode. Goode attended the University of Arkansas and spent time in training camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. His most recent job was pouring concrete. Packer fans can hope that his snaps are as solid as the pavement he was working with.

Goode’s performance will prove important for two facets of the special teams game: field goals and punts. In the field goal unit, Goode will be snapping to a new holder who will be holding for a second year kicker who has room for improvement. Mason Crosby had a solid first year, but had the opportunity to be even better. While Crosby was golden inside 40 yards (19 for 20) he looked more green from 40 yards and deeper (12 for 19). Certainly he made a couple of clutch field goals during the season, but after the bye week, 9 of Green Bay’s last 10 games were decided by 10 points or more. It is likely that Crosby will have to make more of those long field goals—and in clutch situations if the Packers are to repeat their success of 2007.

Goode will also be snapping to a new punter, Derrick Frost, whom the Redskins released during the final rounds of cuts this past weekend. In response to concern about the fluctuation at the punter position, General Manager Ted Thomspon noted that there are always changes at this time of year, citing the Packers’ running back situation last year. Frost joins the team after spending three years with the Washington Redskins. Frost seems to present the same problem Jon Ryan displayed in outkicking his coverage, sacrificing hang time for gross yardage. The Packers, though, are hoping Frost will be more consistent and avoid having any games like Ryan had last year in the Chicago debacle.

On the return side of the special teams, the Packers will hope to build off of a strong pre-season. Jordy Nelson was impressive in returning kickoffs for Green Bay, averaging over 35 yards on five kickoff returns in three games after returning punts for the first pre-season game. The Packers may also utilize rookie cornerback Pat Lee to return punts, a position primarily occupied by Charles Woodson. Woodson is probably the more dynamic of the two, and has proven to have value at the position, but the risk for injury may be too great, especially considering the Packers’ struggles to contain opposing wide receivers with Woodson and Al Harris on the bench. Lee presents good speed to go along with a solid frame that can take some extra hits on the punt return team.