Why bother with Special Teams?

[ProcessTruster]

Since Bass can kick 4 out of 5 (5 out of 5?) out of the end zone anytime he wants, and the point of punt and kickoff returns is simply to get the ball safely into 17's hands, why would the Bills tie up 10m+ in Neal, Jones, Matakavich, et al?   With Hines and Bass on the team, returns and kickoffs are non events.   I would prefer to take that cap space, load up on offense and therefore punt very little, taking that risk off the table as well.   Coaches talk all about the importance of special teams.  With long ball kickers and solid return guys, not sure I'm buying it.   

[Buffalo_Stampede]

I honestly don’t understand why they don’t just kick it out of the end zone every kick.

 

They are trying to kick it high and make a tackle inside the 20 but it’s not likely to happen. Sets up injuries and a possible long return.

 

 I also think they have to justify the cap spent on special teams players. They need to change the philosophy. 
 

Bass was 70% touch back as a rookie and the coaches have him down to 46% last year. Dropping each year. There is very little benefit in kicking short. 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Simon Says]

6 minutes ago, ProcessTruster said:

Since Bass can kick 4 out of 5 (5 out of 5?) out of the end zone anytime he wants, and the point of punt and kickoff returns is simply to get the ball safely into 17's hands, why would the Bills tie up 10m+ in Neal, Jones, Matakavich, et al?   With Hines and Bass on the team, returns and kickoffs are non events.   I would prefer to take that cap space, load up on offense and therefore punt very little, taking that risk off the table as well.   Coaches talk all about the importance of special teams.  With long ball kickers and solid return guys, not sure I'm buying it.   

You obviously are referring to COVERAGE guys, but, Hines and Bass can't do it all by themselves.

Smiley coached ST into a top unit,so,maybe he can get by with rookies replacing Jones, Matakevich,etc. But look at their cap hits; is there really that much to be saved?

[Buffalo Junction]

Because having good special teams usually won’t win you a game, but bad special teams play can often lose you a game. The tighter the game is the more influence special teams has with turnovers, field position, and momentum. Poor jammers or up backs can lead to turnovers, bad gunners can lead to big returns, bad holders lead to missed field goals, etc. There’s a reason why guys like Taiwan Jones and Kumerow make rosters every year. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

6 minutes ago, Buffalo Junction said:

Because having good special teams usually won’t win you a game, but bad special teams play can often lose you a game. The tighter the game is the more influence special teams has with turnovers, field position, and momentum. Poor jammers or up backs can lead to turnovers, bad gunners can lead to big returns, bad holders lead to missed field goals, etc. There’s a reason why guys like Taiwan Jones and Kumerow make rosters every year. 

It’s the old special teams are 1/3 of the game thinking. The NFL changed the rules which allows for no return the majority of kickoffs. Coach to the rules. The best kick cover teams allow around 20 yards a return. Most of the NFL is right around 20-25 yards a return.

 

If the rules stay the same just kick it out of the end zone. Getting a few yards extra isn’t worth it.

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Matt_In_NH]

13 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

honestly don’t understand why they don’t just kick it out of the end zone every kick

The answer is data/analytics.  Because the other team has an average drive start further back than the 25 and statistically that means you give up points.  There is really good data to back it up.  Over the course of the season it probably means 20 or more less points given up. 

[John from Riverside]

Guys, they can block in guys that can tackle on special teams
 

But we should be using a lot more draft picks for this

[Buffalo_Stampede]

9 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said:

The answer is data/analytics.  Because the other team has an average drive start further back than the 25 and statistically that means you give up points.  There is really good data to back it up.  Over the course of the season it probably means 20 or more less points given up. 

I would love to see league points scored starting after a touch back vs starting a drive after a return.

 

I dont believe it’s worth risking injury or a long return. If you have a kicker that can kick a TB 100% of the time why wouldn’t you do it? Zero teams in the NFL tackle a returner short of the 25 every kickoff.

[BillsFan130]

29 minutes ago, Herb Nightly said:

You obviously are referring to COVERAGE guys, but, Hines and Bass can't do it all by themselves.

Smiley coached ST into a top unit,so,maybe he can get by with rookies replacing Jones, Matakevich,etc. But look at their cap hits; is there really that much to be saved?

Some of those guys have cap hits into the 2.5 3.5 mil range.

 

Lets say you sub out 3-4 of those for guys on rookie deals/ veteran minimum vets

 

You are probably looking at 6-10 mil in cap savings. I would say that’s a descent amount 

[StHustle]

5 of the last 10 Super Bowl winners had top 5 special team units.

[Matt_In_NH]

8 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I would love to see league points scored starting after a touch back vs starting a drive after a return.

 

I dont believe it’s worth risking injury or a long return. If you have a kicker that can kick a TB 100% of the time why wouldn’t you do it? Zero teams in the NFL tackle a returner short of the 25 every kickoff.

 

"Zero teams tackle a returner short of the 25 on every kickoff, true".  However, take the average drive start over all kickoffs that are not touchbacks, that is what you need to work with not one individual play.  That is the whole point of analytics, you are trying to find a small statistical advantage, it might seem worthless to you but if you find 5 such advantages it becomes something significant.  NFL teams have been shown to be wrong in the past, for instance, reluctance to go for it on 4th down has been proven to be a bad philosophy and now you see teams going for it more.  in this case, if you can cover kicks well it does work and that is why it's done.

 

You can search around online and find data.  Ultimately it comes down to a few tenths of points scored on average per drive if you start at the 25 vs the 20. 

 

This is not exact, just trying to show the thinking:

You have about 6 kickoffs per game, figure 3 are touchbacks and 3 you get at the 20 on average.  Those three drive starts at the 20 equal about 1 point in a game statistically.  So 17 points over a season.  Those points can be the difference in winning and losing in an individual game.  Is it debatable?  Maybe, if you can get drive starts inside the 20 the benefit is even greater obviously.   The margin of winning and losing in the NFL is thin, any advantage needs to be carefully considered.

 

http://phdfootball.blogspot.com/2013/06/field-position-and-scoring.html

 

 

 

[Drew21PA]

Old school

 

”losers walk”. Start on their 25

[Buffalo_Stampede]

18 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said:

 

"Zero teams tackle a returner short of the 25 on every kickoff, true".  However, take the average drive start over all kickoffs that are not touchbacks, that is what you need to work with not one individual play.  That is the whole point of analytics, you are trying to find a small statistical advantage, it might seem worthless to you but if you find 5 such advantages it becomes something significant.  NFL teams have been shown to be wrong in the past, for instance, reluctance to go for it on 4th down has been proven to be a bad philosophy and now you see teams going for it more.  in this case, if you can cover kicks well it does work and that is why it's done.

 

You can search around online and find data.  Ultimately it comes down to a few tenths of points scored on average per drive if you start at the 25 vs the 20. 

 

This is not exact, just trying to show the thinking:

You have about 6 kickoffs per game, figure 3 are touchbacks and 3 you get at the 20 on average.  Those three drive starts at the 20 equal about 1 point in a game statistically.  So 17 points over a season.  Those points can be the difference in winning and losing in an individual game.  Is it debatable?  Maybe, if you can get drive starts inside the 20 the benefit is even greater obviously.   The margin of winning and losing in the NFL is thin, any advantage needs to be carefully considered.

 

http://phdfootball.blogspot.com/2013/06/field-position-and-scoring.html

 

 

 

There is no data that supports forcing a return instead a touchback. It’s such a small difference either way. It’s not worth it.

 

You’re much more likely to give up a 30+ yard return or have someone injured. 
 

Scenario 1: 3/6 returns start at the 15 yard line. 2/6 start around 30. One return gets it to the 45.

Scenario 2: 6/6 drives start at the 25.

 

What scenario is more likely to result in points? Also the long return has the chance to change momentum.

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Green Lightning]

5 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

There is no data that supports forcing a return instead a touchback. It’s such a small difference either way. It’s not worth it.

 

You’re much more likely to give up a 30+ yard return or have someone injured. 
 

Scenario 1: 3/6 returns start at the 15 yard line. 2/3 start around 30. One return gets it to the 45.

Scenario 2: 6/6 drives start at the 25.

 

What scenario is more likely to result in points? Also the long return has the chance to change momentum.

Yeah. Talk to the Bengals about the importance punt return coverage and get back to me.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

18 minutes ago, Green Lightning said:

Yeah. Talk to the Bengals about the importance punt return coverage and get back to me.

Punting is different. There are no rules that benefit the punting team.

 

If I were coaching special teams I would want shorter but higher punts for the same reason, limit a return. Force a fair catch. I bet that Eagles punter was trying to directional kick and also pin inside the 20. He missed it and hit a line drive.

 

 I don’t think the extra 5 yards means much. Yes if you can pin them inside the 10 it definitely makes a difference but that’s all on the punters skill, not the coverage. Some guys are good at downing a punt before it goes into the end zone but I’m not spending cap on those guys.

 

 I would also say this, if that punter kicked it through the end zone they might have won the Super Bowl

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Matt_In_NH]

23 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

There is no data that supports forcing a return instead a touchback. It’s such a small difference either way. It’s not worth it.

 

You’re much more likely to give up a 30+ yard return or have someone injured. 
 

Scenario 1: 3/6 returns start at the 15 yard line. 2/6 start around 30. One return gets it to the 45.

Scenario 2: 6/6 drives start at the 25.

 

What scenario is more likely to result in points? Also the long return has the chance to change momentum.

 

If what you said was true you would be right, but the scenarios you list I assume were just made up guesses.  Below is an article from the Buffalo news from last year that showed the Bills opponents start at the 18.2 yard line on average which was outstanding.

 

PlayAction: How the Bills weaponize their kickoff coverage unit

https://buffalonews.com › sports › playaction-how-the-bill...

Nov 23, 2022 — The Bills are holding opponents to an 18.2-yard average on kickoff returns, second best in the league. Buffalo ranked third in kickoff coverage ...

[Buffalo_Stampede]

5 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said:

 

If what you said was true you would be right, but the scenarios you list I assume were just made up guesses.  Below is an article from the Buffalo news from last year that showed the Bills opponents start at the 18.2 yard line on average which was outstanding.

 

PlayAction: How the Bills weaponize their kickoff coverage unit

https://buffalonews.com › sports › playaction-how-the-bill...

Nov 23, 2022 — The Bills are holding opponents to an 18.2-yard average on kickoff returns, second best in the league. Buffalo ranked third in kickoff coverage ...

And the league average kick return is around 20. 
 

We can’t just say 18 yards. What does that even mean? It doesn’t mean anything when compared to the league. There is no advantage to a defense when the opponents offense starts at the 20 vs the 25. 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Nextmanup]

1 hour ago, ProcessTruster said:

Since Bass can kick 4 out of 5 (5 out of 5?) out of the end zone anytime he wants, and the point of punt and kickoff returns is simply to get the ball safely into 17's hands, why would the Bills tie up 10m+ in Neal, Jones, Matakavich, et al?   With Hines and Bass on the team, returns and kickoffs are non events.   I would prefer to take that cap space, load up on offense and therefore punt very little, taking that risk off the table as well.   Coaches talk all about the importance of special teams.  With long ball kickers and solid return guys, not sure I'm buying it.   

I thought you were going to discuss straight up eliminating ST from the game itself, which I'd be interested in pursuing.

 

But if your point is simply that our administration GREATLY over-values the importance of special teams, you are dead on correct!  It's all part of that classic, old school, football guy mentality, that these guys all learn in the game bubble from the same people, and then kick around in the bubble for the remainder of their careers.

It gets passed from one generation to the next in this way, and is handed down as "football knowledge."

 

Like so many aspects of the game, we now know that is all BS.

 

Data says otherwise.

 

 

[BillsVet]

1 hour ago, Matt_In_NH said:

The answer is data/analytics.  Because the other team has an average drive start further back than the 25 and statistically that means you give up points.  There is really good data to back it up.  Over the course of the season it probably means 20 or more less points given up. 

 

Do you believe that McD embraces analytical data and uses that in his decision making process?  Because most professional coaches aren't enamored with analytics or the prospect of of using data to shape game-plans or even personnel acquisition.    

 

I think more innovative HC's are looking for advantages and are moving toward this, but many are not.  If anything, cap challenges are driving their decisions on special teams and what they do on the special teams unit. 

 

[GunnerBill]

The thing is the data does still show that the best teams tend to be good on special teams. I did a comparison of the Bills $$s allocation to STs compared to SB winners a couple of years ago and they were pretty much right about on the average. Happy to crunch those numbers again at some point this offseason to see what has moved, but basically every team pays a few guys just to run about on special teams. 

[GolfandBills]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I honestly don’t understand why they don’t just kick it out of the end zone every kick.

 

They are trying to kick it high and make a tackle inside the 20 but it’s not likely to happen. Sets up injuries and a possible long return.

 

 I also think they have to justify the cap spent on special teams players. They need to change the philosophy. 
 

Bass was 70% touch back as a rookie and the coaches have him down to 46% last year. Dropping each year. There is very little benefit in kicking short. 

Cause we might stop them at the 24 and save a yard…. 🙃

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Haven’t really looked into kickoff stats in a long time. About 60% of all kickoffs are touchbacks. Tyler Bass is at 46%. His % drops every year, likely a coaching decision. 
 

The league average kick return is 23 yards.

 

 

[Matt_In_NH]

33 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

And the league average kick return is around 20. 
 

We can’t just say 18 yards. What does that even mean? It doesn’t mean anything when compared to the league. There is no advantage to a defense when the opponents offense starts at the 20 vs the 25. 

Lets move on, we are on two different wavelengths....

20 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

 

Do you believe that McD embraces analytical data and uses that in his decision making process?  Because most professional coaches aren't enamored with analytics or the prospect of of using data to shape game-plans or even personnel acquisition.    

 

I think more innovative HC's are looking for advantages and are moving toward this, but many are not.  If anything, cap challenges are driving their decisions on special teams and what they do on the special teams unit. 

 

Yes he does..... What do you think this guy does?

 

Luis Güílamo Director of Analytics & Application Development

Edited February 20, 2023 by Matt_In_NH

[RoyBatty is alive]

2 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I honestly don’t understand why they don’t just kick it out of the end zone every kick.

 

They are trying to kick it high and make a tackle inside the 20 but it’s not likely to happen. Sets up injuries and a possible long return.

 

 I also think they have to justify the cap spent on special teams players. They need to change the philosophy. 
 

Bass was 70% touch back as a rookie and the coaches have him down to 46% last year. Dropping each year. There is very little benefit in kicking short. 

I disagree on your second sentence and third is absurd comment, imo..

 

If you have a good enough kicker that can kick it high and right around the goal line, odds are excellent you will gain yardage.  Factor in the wind then it can enhance that advantage.  You certainly dont "have" to do it every kickoff, depends upon game circumstances.  A master of that is Belichek

40 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

And the league average kick return is around 20. 
 

We can’t just say 18 yards. What does that even mean? It doesn’t mean anything when compared to the league. There is no advantage to a defense when the opponents offense starts at the 20 vs the 25. 

There is no advantage to a defense when the opponents start at the 20 or 25.  I couldn't disagree more.  So i guess in a game of inches your assert 5 yards is nothing in a kickoff scenario.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

20 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

I disagree on your second sentence and third is absurd comment, imo..

 

If you have a good enough kicker that can kick it high and right around the goal line, odds are excellent you will gain yardage.  Factor in the wind then it can enhance that advantage.  You certainly dont "have" to do it every kickoff, depends upon game circumstances.  A master of that is Belichek

There is no advantage to a defense when the opponents start at the 20 or 25.  I couldn't disagree more.  So i guess in a game of inches your assert 5 yards is nothing in a kickoff scenario.

This is never a topic discussed by analytics people which makes me believe the difference is minimal.

 

I would love to learn real data on this. The Bills have good kick off coverage but my reaction to them allowing a 40+ yard return even just once is always just kick it out of the end!

 

 I don’t see the downside to having offense start at the 25. I’m just looking and the Bills have kicked it out of bounds 2 times trying to set up a returned kickoff. Drive start at the 40. Momentum has never changed with a touchback.

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[BILLieve85]

Just wait until next offseason when Bass needs a new deal. At some point these luxuries just won’t be possible 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

7 minutes ago, BILLieve85 said:

Just wait until next offseason when Bass needs a new deal. At some point these luxuries just won’t be possible 

The Bills likely have a cap budget for special teams spending. So they probably used cap on cover guys that they saved on a rookie kicker contract. They might have had 1-2 extra special teams players because Bass was cheap.

[MJS]

The majority of your roster sits on the bench. Those bench sitters might as well be good at special teams.

[Big Turk]

Because it will come back to bite you at the worst possible times if you don't.

[BillsVet]

1 hour ago, Matt_In_NH said:

Luis Güílamo Director of Analytics & Application Development

 

Just because a guy is on staff doesn't mean he's consulted in decision making: 

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/buffalo-bills-head-coach-doug-marrone-meets-the-press-0ap1000000123380

 

I never got the feeling Marrone embraced analytics, but they had a lead there.  Then again, we could debate endlessly what it means to use analytics and get nowhere in the process. 

 

It is to drive decisions, like in game-planning or personnel?  Or should it be supporting decision making?  Perhaps it's used for the latter at OBD now, but definitely does not feature prominently particularly when it comes up against McD's vision of NFL football.  

 

I can't imagine their Analytics Director in the room during draft prep in a deep debate with McBeane about how drafting a RD2 RB or signing another DT is probably not a good idea.  

 

[Matt_In_NH]

2 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

 

Just because a guy is on staff doesn't mean he's consulted in decision making: 

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/buffalo-bills-head-coach-doug-marrone-meets-the-press-0ap1000000123380

 

I never got the feeling Marrone embraced analytics, but they had a lead there.  Then again, we could debate endlessly what it means to use analytics and get nowhere in the process. 

 

It is to drive decisions, like in game-planning or personnel?  Or should it be supporting decision making?  Perhaps it's used for the latter at OBD now, but definitely does not feature prominently particularly when it comes up against McD's vision of NFL football.  

 

I can't imagine their Analytics Director in the room during draft prep in a deep debate with McBeane about how drafting a RD2 RB or signing another DT is probably not a good idea.  

 

Dude they have a whole department with many people include software engineers.  McDermott and Beane has said they use it.  

Edited February 20, 2023 by Matt_In_NH

[BillsFan2313]

Agreed. KC invests very little in just special teams players, I would say that is working out well. While we are giving 2 plus million cap hits to the Siran Neals and Tyler Matakevichs of the world, keeping Kumerow over Hodgins. 

[Green Lightning]

2 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Punting is different. There are no rules that benefit the punting team.

 

If I were coaching special teams I would want shorter but higher punts for the same reason, limit a return. Force a fair catch. I bet that Eagles punter was trying to directional kick and also pin inside the 20. He missed it and hit a line drive.

 

 I don’t think the extra 5 yards means much. Yes if you can pin them inside the 10 it definitely makes a difference but that’s all on the punters skill, not the coverage. Some guys are good at downing a punt before it goes into the end zone but I’m not spending cap on those guys.

 

 I would also say this, if that punter kicked it through the end zone they might have won the Super Bowl

I think we disagree. If you devalue special teams it's all over the board. If your kickoff coverage sucks so will your punt coverage. Muffed punts and muffed Kickoffs can be game changes. Weather plays hugely into this equation, you're not going to kick/punt out of the endzone everytime. Giving them the ball with a quarter of the field every time is too much advantage.

[ColoradoBills]

I'm all for having a competent or above competent ST group.

I do however question how many "ST only" players a team commits to.

 

A guy "like" Matakevich, who is a ST leader, and on the field constantly is acceptable to me.  I do think his salary is too high.  But my point is

a guy who fills that role is fine with me.

A ST ace gunner who has other roles on ST is ok too.

Having a combined KR/PR is highly desirable.

 

After that, keeping a number of depth players over more talented depth guys solely because of ST skills is what I question.

 

To give an example, the average depth LB, S, CB player all can run and tackle in open space.  I would rather see a more qualified

player at his prime position make the team over a lesser talented player at his prime position who got the roster slot because his ST skills

are slightly higher.

 

Using last year's roster, guys like Kumerow, Neal and Johnson all seem to me to be replaceable with better prime position players,

but most likely made the team because of ST skills.  All 3 of those players last year were needed at their prime position because of

injuries to starters.  Maybe you tip and keep one of those guys but all 3 seems unnecessary.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

22 minutes ago, Green Lightning said:

I think we disagree. If you devalue special teams it's all over the board. If your kickoff coverage sucks so will your punt coverage. Muffed punts and muffed Kickoffs can be game changes. Weather plays hugely into this equation, you're not going to kick/punt out of the endzone everytime. Giving them the ball with a quarter of the field every time is too much advantage.

I’m not saying devalue special teams. I’m saying the rule helps you, use it. The rule itself devalues special teams. Take the touch back.

 

I’m fine having the best coaches and putting emphasis on good special teams in practice. I don’t think you need kick cover specialists over quality defensive and offensive depth. 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

1 hour ago, BillsFan2313 said:

Agreed. KC invests very little in just special teams players, I would say that is working out well. While we are giving 2 plus million cap hits to the Siran Neals and Tyler Matakevichs of the world, keeping Kumerow over Hodgins. 

 

They pay the ones they have a bit less, but they also pay their kicker a bit more.  They also have one of the best special teams coaches in the business so they're a bit more content to use young players (they also had a ton of draft picks).  They do still carry burton and bush who were veteran special teams only players. 

 

I'm all for eliminating paid ST only guys for the most part - i do think that it's worth having 1 or 2 vets though.  Jones is pretty cheap, and a captain.  I'd probably keep him.  

 

Did Hodgins outplay Kumerow at any given point in time?  Kumerows issues this year were injury related, not as though he was a particularly bad player.  He was also a plus blocker vs. hodgins in additiona to special teams ability. 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Bleeding Bills Blue

[Buffalo Junction]

4 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

It’s the old special teams are 1/3 of the game thinking. The NFL changed the rules which allows for no return the majority of kickoffs. Coach to the rules. The best kick cover teams allow around 20 yards a return. Most of the NFL is right around 20-25 yards a return.

 

If the rules stay the same just kick it out of the end zone. Getting a few yards extra isn’t worth it.

I’m not worried about kickoffs. The issue is that many of the best special teamers (guys who stay in the league and get paid) excel in multiple roles on teams. Experienced upbacks usually call and change protections on punts and are also some of the best tacklers in kick coverage. While going for touchbacks will eliminate KO coverage it still leaves blocking and covering punts which are frequent spots for turnovers or flipped field position. 

[Logic]

Some of the finest coaches in the history of the NFL placed great importance on special teams. 

Our own Hall of Famer Marv Levy, Bill "Greatest Of All Time" Belichick, etc.

You can call their thinking outdated if you want, but....last I checked, special teams is still one third of the game of football.

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 hour ago, ColoradoBills said:

I'm all for having a competent or above competent ST group.

I do however question how many "ST only" players a team commits to.

 

A guy "like" Matakevich, who is a ST leader, and on the field constantly is acceptable to me.  I do think his salary is too high.  But my point is

a guy who fills that role is fine with me.

A ST ace gunner who has other roles on ST is ok too.

Having a combined KR/PR is highly desirable.

 

After that, keeping a number of depth players over more talented depth guys solely because of ST skills is what I question.

 

To give an example, the average depth LB, S, CB player all can run and tackle in open space.  I would rather see a more qualified

player at his prime position make the team over a lesser talented player at his prime position who got the roster slot because his ST skills

are slightly higher.

 

Using last year's roster, guys like Kumerow, Neal and Johnson all seem to me to be replaceable with better prime position players,

but most likely made the team because of ST skills.  All 3 of those players last year were needed at their prime position because of

injuries to starters.  Maybe you tip and keep one of those guys but all 3 seems unnecessary.

Yes it is actually enjoyable and exciting to have Hines on the team returning kicks and it certainly paid off in spades versus New England.

[hemma]

IMO, Beane should add a couple of scouts for the college game, specifically for sT’s..  These aren’t guys we’d draft, but instead aggressively

pursue as UDFAs.  Steve Tasker type sledgehammers.

 

Hold onto the crazy money being spent on Matekevich, etc.  

Save a ton on 4 nut jobs.  Keep doing that every year.

 

Might be messy in year 1, but straightened out by year 2.

 

Then get a wr that can catch the ball before it hits his face or an OT that can move his foot in less than a second.