PFF Ranks Panthers Special Teams 7th best in the League...

[The Golden Child]

I thought we would be better than 7th. 

[Ricky Spanish]

the fact that I have been watching this team all year and have yet to even notice special teams play means that they are doing a great job.

[pstall]

Ginn has 2 big returns in this game. imma say punt return for 70yds.

 

free pstall prediction

[csx]

ginn and gano have been huge difference makers. hard for returners to do anything when the ball is in the stands after every kickoff, and ginn's the type of guy to make marginal blockers look like all-pros.

Ginn is middle of the pack in yards per punt return. Thats not going to make anyone look all pro.

[RelaxImaPro]

Honestly, aside from Gano and Nortman (who have been great) our STs have seemed rather average/below-average to me.  I have no idea how we're 7th by their metric.  We had some costly blunders early in the season that resulted in TOs on STs, and those Armond Smith penalties, and the blocking has left a lot to be desired... forcing Ginn to have to fair catch damn near everything.

 

I've watched plenty of other team's games this season where you can see STs make an actual impact on the game.  Other than that return by Ginn against the Falcons (which already had great field position before the return) I don't remember seeing any game-changing plays.

[The_Mango55]

Kicking is good.

 

Punting is good.

 

blocking on returns is still garbage.

[panthers90]

But Armanti...

[NanuqoftheNorth]

I don't remember seeing any game-changing plays.

 

That is the improvement.

[RelaxImaPro]

That is the improvement.

 

I never said we didn't improve, obviously Gano and Nortman have been great this year... and we have a legit threat in Ginn--if we decide to block for him.  I'm just saying watching other teams around the league I have no idea how we're 7th.  Our returns have left a bit to be desired.

 

And as for game-changing plays against us, well, look no further than the first couple weeks of the season where we turned it over and were racking up stupid penalties.  The tackling has improved though, so I'll give 'em that.

[French Navy]

Jones has been a pretty good gunner, yes? I always seem to see him beating his man/men.

[rayzor]

our special teams have been poo since we lost hankton. at least until this year. gano, ginn, and nortman are all doing great and tlreturn coverage has been great as well. return blocking is lacking, but overall these guys are doing great. its nice not having special teams being a glaring weakness and perennial bottom dwellers league wide.

 

btw, i think a lot of credit goes to ST teams coaching, esp. bruce dehaven. the guy is a STs coaching legend and i don't think it's a coincidence that the year he came here is the year things really turned around. i'm sure his input has been invaluable.

[dos poptarts]

That is the improvement.

 

Hahahaha.......

[frash.exe]

Being relatively healthy

[CharlottePanther]

They haven't cost us a game. Which is good enough for me. It does concern me that at least once a game our opponents short punt and we almost botch it every single week.

Colin Jones had a nice recovery a while back and Ted had a great return to set up a score vs. ATL.

I personally hate kickoff and punt returns. Wish they would eliminate them completely. The risks of injuries and fumbling far outweigh the reward MAYBE returning one or two back for a TD. For every returned TD, you will have a muffed punt that results in a fumble, someone getting hurt, a illegal block in the back, guys not knowing where the ball is and getting touched by the ball by their shoe strings and suddenly its a turnover. I long for the day they are eliminated completely. I always turn my head when we field a punt.