My #1 hope for the Panthers this offseason: emphasize special teams

[Sam Mills Fan]

Under Rivera, we've finished in the following positions on special teams according to Football Outsiders:

 

2014: 30th

2013: 13th

2012: 29th

2011: 32nd

 

I think it's safe to say we would have been bumped down to 32nd if playoff performances had been factored in. This is inexcusable for Rivera and Gettleman to have paid so little attention to special teams. An actual return man with experience is an absolute MUST and it wouldn't hurt to sign some guys just to play special teams. Think of how bad our field position was this year compared to opponents' because we couldn't cover kickoffs or punts and WE couldn't return either. I'd like to see Richard Rodgers fired, although that probably isn't happening if Rivera is here.

 

With competent special teams under the past 4 years, I wonder how many more games we would have won? Field position and eliminating turnovers on special teams is critical for teams that say they want to win Super Bowls.

[Semaj]

That is by far our weakest part of the team.  If they don't improve this, then they have failed us badly.  I mean we have an undrafted WR from Wofford returning.  What the Hell?  What team does crap like this?  Good story, but my oh my.