When fans think of football, their attention typically goes to either the offensive or defensive side of the ball. Special teams is like that third wheel on a date. We all know it’s there but rarely do we give it much attention. Unfortunately, special teams is also like a toothache in that if you are thinking about it, it’s often after something painful has developed.
New Orleans Saints Not-So-Special Teams
Two weeks ago, Drew Brees threaded the needle with a 29-yard dart to wide receiver Brandin Cooks to tie their contest with the Denver Broncos in the final two minutes of the game. The once “automatic” extra point would put the New Orleans Saints in the lead and quite probably, in the win column. Fate would have it that the Saints would end up on every sports report in the nation the evening of November 14, 2016 for all the wrong reasons.
During the extra point, Justin Simmons leapt over the Saints offensive line, blocked the extra point and teammate Will Parks returned it for a two-point score.
The focus of the Saints fans immediately went to that return play as they grieved in the loss. It appeared as though Parks had stepped out of bounds on the return. Parks’ white cleats on the white background of the sideline made it too tough to reverse for the officials and the play stood. More of the focus should have been on the block.
One week later, Saints fans watched as they saw Luke Kuechly rumbling down the sideline after another blocked kick late in the first half versus the Carolina Panthers. Like Will Parks, Kuechly did also reach the end zone but an illegal block in the back on kicked Will Lutz brought that play back.
While the blocked kicks are the new glaring issue, the Saints special teams pain is more diverse. The return game, which started the season toward the middle of the NFL pack has steadily declined and is riddled with inconsistency in personnel. The Saints special teams units have also seen more than their share of muffed returns, colliding teammates and a general sense of not knowing how to handle the situations they’re in during those crucial moments of the game. At some point, it certainly looks like there is failure in communication from special teams coach Greg McMahon.
Help on the Horizon
The Saints have since brought in former special teams coach Kevin O’Dea to assist McMahon in his effort to right the ship.
Whether the addition of O’Dea will make any difference remains to be seen. The Saints have no time to get this wrong as a 4-6 record has them desperate for every win they can get. The equally desperate 4-6 Los Angeles Rams head into New Orleans this week to take on the Saints and their new special teams coaching structure.
Unlike most of the weeks thus far, special teams will be under a microscope by head coach Sean Payton, Saints fans, and the entire NFL community. The hope is that the story soon becomes a non-story. The last thing Saints fans need is another toothache.
