Special Teams rankings for the Panthers dating back to 2006

[Sam Mills Fan]

Went back to 2006 since 2005 was the last season that ended with a playoff win. How we've done since then according to Football Outsiders:

 

2006: 24th

2007: 30th

2008: 10th

2009: 29th

2010: 22nd

2011: 32nd

2012: 29th

2013: 13th

2014: 28th

 

Does it surprise you that we've been this abysmal? What to you attribute it to? Different head coaches, different special teams coaches, same old poo remains.

[Towelboy]

there's not enough emphasis on bringing in special teams guys - guys that are specifically brought in to make plays on special teams. i also think our coaching does a poor job preparing our team. if another coach can find weaknesses in our punt formations, we should be able to as well. i also don't understand how our gunners never seem to be there for the tackle. it just seems our guys are in the wrong place several times a game. i attribute that to coaching.

[ZeroZeroSeven]

I see we made the playoffs in the 2 years our special teams wasn't horrible.  I'm wondering if that holds true for '03 and '05 as well.

[Mr. Scot]

Our highest ranked unit of the last ten years came with Danny Crossman in charge?

[Zaximus]

Wasn't 2008 when we had Mark Jones and then 2013 obviously, Ginn?  We just don't put enough focus on it.

 

I can't remember when we were good on coverage either.

[BIGH2001]

I miss Scott O'Brien. Our special teams were among the best in the league in the early 2000s.

[top dawg]

The drop off between this year and last...could it have been personnel based?

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Our coaches across the board this year remind me of that old lady driving aimlessly around the wal mart parking lot. Everybody's iq falls 20-20% when you drive into a Walmart parking lot. Coaches are riding the short bus through the Walmart parking lot this season.

[the_philosopher]

Ironically, I was expecting a lot more muffed punt returns this season, so it could have been a lot worse. But of course there's still time.

[OneBadCat]

Ugh I miss the days of Michael Bates and Smitty as returners. 

[Chaos]

Two decent years had two decent return guys.  For some unknown reason, we can't handle that prosperity and hold on to a solid kick returner for more than a season.

 

KR aren't the only part of special teams, but it's likely more than a coincidence that our two best ranked seasons were when we had them.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I don't remember the 2008 special teams being good beyond a couple blocked punts, but, sure.

[CarolinaCoolin]

It isn't just about returners. The unit as a whole is god awful.

[YourMomsLover]

Dante Wesley