<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insi...&CMP=ILC-INHEADSpecial teams can provide a big lift, especially for teams that struggle to move the ball on offense. Whether it's a big return that results in solid field position or points, or a clutch kick, special-teams play looms large in almost every game. Here are the teams that are best on special teams, according to Scouts Inc.1. Chicago BearsHaving rookie Devin Hester alone guarantees you the No. 1 special-teams unit in the NFL. Hester has set a new NFL record with six touchdown returns this season. Throw in place-kicker Robbie Gould (89.7 percent on field goals), punter Brad Maynard (44.0 yards per punt) and special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo, who is among the leaders in special-teams tackles, and this group is hard to match.2. Buffalo BillsThe Bills have two of the best return men in the game in kickoff returner Terrence McGee and punt returner Roscoe Parrish. Parrish is one of the most exciting players in the NFL and special-teams coaches hold their breath every time they punt him the ball. Place-kicker Rian Lindell is converting 90 percent of his attempts and is 2-of-2 from 50-plus yards. Punter Brian Moorman will keep the opposing offense backed up all day. Through 13 games he has placed 25 punts inside the 20-yard line with only five touchbacks.3. N.Y. JetsThey have one of the best kick return men in the NFL in Justin Miller, who is averaging 29.0 yards per return and has two touchdowns, including a 103-yarder. The combination of place-kicker Mike Nugent and punter Ben Graham is above average. What really makes the Jets' special-teams units excellent are Miller and their cover units. The Jets rank in the top 10 in terms of covering kicks and punts this season.4. Cleveland BrownsSpecial teams have been one of the few areas where the Browns are solid on a weekly basis. They also have one of the best special-teams coaches in the NFL in Jerry Rosburg. Kickoff return man Joshua Cribbs is averaging 25.6 yards per return and has one TD. Punt return man Dennis Northcutt is fourth in the NFL with an 11.6-yard average. The Browns' cover units are sound too.5. Baltimore RavensTheir special teams took a blow with the loss of return specialist B.J. Sams. Sams was a true return specialist in that he was not a position player for the Ravens. The Ravens still have one of the best place-kickers in the NFL in Matt Stover and excellent coverage units. Backup OLB Gary Stills is one of the best coverage players in the league. He currently leads the NFL with an unofficial 22 special-teams tackles in 13 games.6. San Diego ChargersWhen you talk about the Chargers' special teams you have to start with their kicking game. They have one of the best duos in the NFL in place-kicker Nate Kaeding and punter Mike Scifres. Scifres is averaging over 43 yards per punt and has dropped an amazing 26 punts inside the 20-yard line with only two touchbacks. His ability to do that makes the Chargers' outstanding defense even better. The return units are not special but they are very good. The Chargers have two solid kickoff return men in Michael Turner and rookie Antonio Cromartie, and punt returner Eric Parker is extremely reliable.7. New England PatriotsThe Patriots are in the top 10 based on their return units and coverage units. They currently rank first in kickoff return average and seventh in punt return average. Rookie kick return man Laurence Maroney and punt return man Kevin Faulk have been extremely solid. The Patriots also have excellent cover units that are just as disciplined as their head coach, Bill Belichick. If there is one area of concern it is the kicking game. Rookie place-kicker Stephen Gostkowski has been a little shaky and the Pats recently had to put punter Josh Miller on injured reserve.8. Tennessee TitansThey have one of the most dangerous punt return men in the NFL in Adam "Pacman" Jones. He has scored two touchdowns on punt returns this season and has been close to breaking a few more. Place-kicker Rob Bironas is only 15-for-19 for the season, but he has hit three game-winning field goals, making him extremely clutch. None of those clutch kicks was as big as the one from 60 yards to upset the Colts back in Week 13.9. Cincinnati BengalsThe Bengals have one of the top kicking duos in the NFL in place-kicker Shayne Graham and punter Kyle Larson. Their cover units are also among the league's best. Their kickoff coverage unit is ranked first and they are No. 8 in covering punts. The only thing that really holds this team back is the lack of consistency from its return units.9. Dallas CowboysPunter Mat McBriar has been outstanding this season. He ranks first in gross punting and fourth in net punting. The Cowboys cut Mike Vanderjagt a few weeks ago and newly signed Martin Gramatica responded with a game-winning, 43-yard field goal to beat the Giants in the Meadowlands. The Cowboys' return units have been pretty average statistically. The play of McBriar is what really puts this unit in the top 10.Reply With Quote</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Dec 17 2006, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Is this just returning or coverage too?</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>What really makes the Jets' special-teams units excellent are Miller and their cover units. The Jets rank in the top 10 in terms of covering kicks and punts this season.</div>
