Panthers' not-so special teams hurt by injuries and missed tackles....

[AKPantherFan]

By Charles Chandler

McClatchy Newspapers

(MCT)

So far, there's very little special about the Carolina Panthers' special teams, especially the punting unit.

During the team's 0-2 start, the Panthers have given up an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown and had a punt blocked. All other NFL teams have combined to surrender one of each.

Carolina gave up kickoff returns of 29 and 41 yards in last Sunday's loss at Atlanta.

There have been missed tackles and blown assignments aplenty.

The Panthers rank last (32nd) in the league defending punt returns and are 31st in kickoff return defense.

Punter Jason Baker leads the league with a 54.8-yard gross average, but is last in net average (21.3). He's the only punter in the league without a kick downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. His two opportunities in the season opener against Philadelphia resulted in touchbacks.

Special teams coach Danny Crossman was on the practice field working overtime with his troops Thursday after most of the other players had headed to the locker room.

Crossman said the special teams are both "evolving and revolving."

His units have been in a state of flux due to roster depletions from last season and injuries this season.

Nick Goings and Donte Curry played on all four phases of kickoff and punt units last season, but are no longer on the team.

Safeties Nate Salley and Quinton Teal, and cornerback Richard Marshall also worked on all the kickoff and punt teams in '08. However, Salley is on injured reserve, Teal has had to fill in as a starting safety for injured Chris Harris and has become a part-timer on special teams, and Marshall is only on the kickoff team because he's starting at safety.

Veteran long snapper Jason Kyle was replaced by previously inexperienced J.J. Jansen.

Other newcomers include rookies Captain Munnerlyn and Tony Fiammetta.

Second-year tight end Gary Barnidge is also new to the punt team and was the player who didn't pick up the outside rusher (Atlanta's Brian Williams) who blocked Baker's punt in the first quarter of last Sunday's game.

It was the Falcons' first blocked punt since the final game of the 2004 season_a span of 65 consecutive games.

The Panthers' special teams also lost the services of fullback Brad Hoover as Baker's personal protector during the Atlanta game due to a back injury. Linebacker Thomas Davis filled in for Hoover, who didn't practice Thursday and is uncertain for Monday night's game at Dallas.

"I don't know if we've had what we thought would be (our) unit out there yet because of injuries and other things," said Crossman. "Like everybody is this time of year who has injuries, we're still a work in progress."

Head coach John Fox said Thursday he's not ready to make any judgments about the special teams.

"You don't assess when you come out of the blocks," he said. "We've only played two games."

There are some positives. Veteran kicker John Kasay is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and has made all three of his extra-point kicks.

Munnerlyn ranks seventh in the league in punt returns with a 12.5-yard average and rookie Mike Goodson is tied for 15th in kickoff returns (24.0).

Overall, however, the frequent shuffling on special teams has taken a toll. Crossman said he equates the importance of personnel continuity on special teams to that of the offensive line and defensive secondary.

"It's a complicated and tricky thing, and a lot of stuff goes on, but when it comes right down to the end of it, it's blocking and tackling. When you don't do those things, you're going to be in trouble."

Crossman said he has a responsibility to coach better regardless of the circumstances.

more.... http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/sep/24/bc-fbn-panthers-specialch-_-sports-650-words/?sports&nfl

[LelouchBritannia]

Having a bunch of new player or injured players is far from an excuse to have piss poor special teams. How hard is it to teach a play to stay in one gap and make the tackle? Years? WTF. His special teams has ALWAYS been bad, lloyd just masked the piss poor kickoff coverage last year.

[weyco2000]

"It's a complicated and tricky thing, and a lot of stuff goes on, but when it comes right down to the end of it, it's blocking and tackling. When you don't do those things, you're going to be in trouble."

What a quote, isn't that why we have training camp and 4 preseason games? I'm still wondering why we didnt put Smitty back for the last punt, if you saw him on the sideline he grabbed his helmet and was ready. I agree I think Baker and Kasay are performing well so far. The problem with the kickers is we have 1 too many, yeah I'm calling you out Llyod, with all the injuries at DT can we really afford to give up a roster spot. You need kamikaze warriors on special teams and we dont have any. By the way great thread AKPantherFan, nice research! Take some Rep. my man.

[vapanthersfan]

Good Thread. I'm just shaking my head as I read this. What is special teams doing during practice? What are they doing during games? I "know" Atlanta would not have beat us if we hadn't given up so much yardage. Come on Panthers we know how to do better

[jramsey4]

The fact that Crossman still has a job is just one of the many things that Fox's stubbornness to show washed up players and coaches the door that hurts this team.

[Cyberjag]

What's wrong with "Baker, kick it out of bounds over there" as a strategy?

[SCP]

Head coach John Fox said Thursday he's not ready to make any judgments about the special teams.

"You don't assess when you come out of the blocks," he said. "We've only played two games."

This kind of quote is really starting to irritate me. I have always been a Fox backer, but his stuff is becoming nonsense. I heard on the radio this morning that he was quoted as saying "there is nothing wrong with our pass defense." What f*cking team is he watching?

[Guest]

This kind of quote is really starting to irritate me. I have always been a Fox backer, but his stuff is becoming nonsense. I heard on the radio this morning that he was quoted as saying "there is nothing wrong with our pass defense." What f*cking team is he watching?

I heard that too. Denial is a river in Africa...

[SCP]

First it was "only the preseason".

Now it's "only been two games".

Fox has some nerve to keep throwing these bullshit remarks out there. I sure as hell hope his message to the team is different. Their play leads me to believe the message is the same though.

I'm just waiting for the "it's only the 8th game of the season" comment.

[jramsey4]

First it was "only the preseason".

Now it's "only been two games".

Fox has some nerve to keep throwing these bullshit remarks out there. I sure as hell hope his message to the team is different. Their play leads me to believe the message is the same though.

I'm just waiting for the "it's only the 8th game of the season" comment.

Nope next one will be "It's only one season" then he brings up there success in 08. I don't think he will be our HC for much longer.

[scratchy1]

Fox is putting in Spurrier-type hours.

[AKPantherFan]

Time for Fox to pull a rabbit out of his ass and give us a magic show. Seams like folks are getting tired of his "it is what it is", when his "is" isnt working.....

[Mother Grabber]

This organization is built around excuses for poor results. I wonder what excuse they'll use when people stop coming to the stadium.

[mr beauxjangles]

this organization is built around excuses for poor results. I wonder what excuse they'll use when people stop coming to the stadium.

recession!