<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Special-teams rankings: Teams 1-10Scouts Inc. 1. Chicago BearsThe Bears have Pro Bowlers in place-kicker Robbie Gould, core player Brendon Ayanbadejo and explosive returner Devin Hester. Special-teams coordinator Dave Toub does an excellent job of letting his talented players play to their strengths and not overcomplicating the schemes. The coverage units are solid and keep opponents pinned deep. They will continue to provide the offense with exceptional field position. 2. Buffalo BillsCoordinator Bobby April has done a superb job the past three years. His units have finished among the league's elite due to contributions from Pro Bowl punter Brian Moorman, and solid returners Terrence McGee and Roscoe Parrish. The Bills have many talented linebackers and secondary players who make for excellent special-teams contributors. Buffalo's special-teams units handle the difficult weather conditions at home exceptionally well and perform even better in warmer climates. 3. New York JetsDangerous kickoff returner Justin Miller capped a fantastic 2006 season with a trip to the Pro Bowl. Coordinator Mike Westhoff has a different kickoff scheme every week, which keeps his coverage unit unpredictable and hard to block. Ben Graham and Mike Nugent were solid in 2006 with their punting and place-kicking. The Jets have a solid group of versatile core players in Brad Smith (the converted quarterback), linebacker Brad Kassell and safety Rashad Washington. The Jets' special teams will be very productive again this upcoming season. 4. Tennessee TitansTennessee's special teams are known for their fakes and different formations each week. Opposing coordinators have to be alert on every special-teams snap. The absence of Pacman Jones will hurt the return game. Although he's had issues off the field, Jones' special-teams contribution to the Titans was significant. The punt unit will motion the gunners to give them a free release and a better chance to cover Craig Hentrich's punts. Overall, the Tennessee special teams have been consistent for a number of years. 5. Cleveland BrownsThe Browns are coming off another exceptional year of special-teams play. Josh Cribbs is an explosive kickoff returner, and Phil Dawson is an outstanding place-kicker who kicks in some of the toughest conditions. He has an arsenal of kickoffs and it is very hard to predict where the ball is going. David Zastudil had his best season in 2006. With the departure of Dennis Northcutt to Jacksonville, the Browns will have a punt return competition in training camp. Schemes will be different in Cleveland due to the coaching change, but the talent on special teams has improved. 6. Detroit LionsLongtime special-teams coach Chuck Priefer retired after the 2006 season and his assistant, Stan Kwan, has been handed the job. The schemes that have been productive throughout the years will likely remain the same to allow for continuity. Veteran place-kicker Jason Hanson has remained consistent and productive. Eddie Drummond is an explosive returner who has breakaway speed and vision. The core players play with passion and reckless abandon on the coverage units. The Lions' special teams should continue to complete at a high level against all their opponents. 7. San Diego ChargersSan Diego was the only team besides Chicago to send three special-teams players to the Pro Bowl: place-kicker Nate Kaeding, long snapper David Binn and core player Kassim Osgood. Osgood was all over the field in 2006 and his only responsibility was to make tackles. Punter Mike Scifres boasts a powerful leg and exceptional hang time. Michael Turner is a downhill, bruising kickoff returner who is a vertical runner. The Chargers have offensive players who contribute to special teams almost as much as the defensive players, which speaks volumes about their overall versatility. 8. Seattle SeahawksJosh Brown is an elite kicker in the NFL. Second-year punter Ryan Plackemeier had a good rookie season in 2006. New special-teams coach Bruce DeHaven will now implement his system in Seattle. Returner Nate Burleson is better at punt returns than kickoff returns. The linebacker position supplies the better special-teams core players, including guys like Kevin Bentley, Niko Koutouvides and Marquis Cooper. The offseason signing of free-agent safety Brian Russell will add value to all the special-teams phases. Russell is an intelligent player who is able to make adjustments on the fly and plays with a relentless attitude. DeHaven has inherited a solid unit which should have continued success. 9. New Orleans SaintsThe Saints have a solid group of special-teams core players. Newly acquired Kevin Kaesviharn is an aggressive special-teamer. Safety Roman Harper also has proved to be a commodity on coverage units. There are starters who contribute, which makes this unit even more dangerous. Speaking of dangerous, Reggie Bush is still returning punts and will be used when needed as a kickoff returner. Newly acquired kicker Olindo Mare will provide consistency and a strong leg for the dome team. Veteran punter Chris Hanson will compete with second-year player Steve Weatherford for the punting duties. Overall, the Saints' special teams improved in 2006 under coach John Bonamego. The signing of Mare should improve the Saints statistically. 10. Cincinnati BengalsPro Bowl-caliber place-kicker Shayne Graham and punter Kyle Larson are elite specialists in the NFL. The core strength of the special-teams unit comes from the linebacker position, led by Andre Frazier. The secondary also provides contributions from Ethan Kilmer and Herana-Daze Jones. Wide receiver Tab Perry can return kickoffs as well as cover them. Overall, the special teams underachieved in 2006, but expectations are high again.</div>http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/new...%3fid%3d2932624Love the Jets getting some respect in this one.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>6. Detroit LionsLongtime special-teams coach Chuck Priefer retired after the 2006 season and his assistant, Stan Kwan, has been handed the job. The schemes that have been productive throughout the years will likely remain the same to allow for continuity. Veteran place-kicker Jason Hanson has remained consistent and productive. Eddie Drummond is an explosive returner who has breakaway speed and vision. The core players play with passion and reckless abandon on the coverage units. The Lions' special teams should continue to complete at a high level against all their opponents.</div> :LMAO: Drummond sucks. The only good special teams player worth mentioning there is Hanson. He's probably the league's most underrated PK because of who he plays for.And yea, I agree with you on the Jets. Besides the little off year that Nugent had, the Jets have great players on all sides of the special teams. Graham is definitley one of the better punters in the league and Miller has been damn good.
Matt Stover. One of the most steadiest legs in the NFL.Sam Koch. Rookie punter was top 15 in all stats except net average but off by 1 yard to be in the top 15, top 5 in inside the 20. Only 3 TBs in 83 punts. Gary Stills. Special teams tackle specialist with 25 tackles.BJ Sams and Yamon Figurs. BJ hasn't had a touchdown but one of the best yardage averages and Figurs is the fastest player to come out of the combine.Com'on we could make the top 10. Or we could be right on the cusp of it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Capt. Comeback @ Jul 20 2007, 11:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And yea, I agree with you on the Jets. Besides the little off year that Nugent had, the Jets have great players on all sides of the special teams. Graham is definitley one of the better punters in the league and Miller has been damn good.</div>Even Nugent is damn good. He had a rough Week One where he missed 3 Kicks, but after that game he was 23-24 in Field Goals and 32-32 in Extra Points. His Kickoffs leave a bit to be desired, but other then that he's among the best in the league already.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chang @ Jul 20 2007, 04:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Matt Stover. One of the most steadiest legs in the NFL.Sam Koch. Rookie punter was top 15 in all stats except net average but off by 1 yard to be in the top 15, top 5 in inside the 20. Only 3 TBs in 83 punts. Gary Stills. Special teams tackle specialist with 25 tackles.BJ Sams and Yamon Figurs. BJ hasn't had a touchdown but one of the best yardage averages and Figurs is the fastest player to come out of the combine.Com'on we could make the top 10. Or we could be right on the cusp of it.</div>You're saying people are top 15 or close to top 15 in stats but you think they deserve to be top 10. Amazing. Are you?
I'm not sure either, but I think he means that he should be top 10 because he's top 15 in so many areas, and some of the punters in this list are not top 15 at that many categories.
