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Rams’ Special Teams Best in the League According to USA Today
Posted Jul 16, 2017
Mark Bodenrader Director of Digital Media
We’re just under two weeks away from training camp and over at USA Today Sports their football crew is looking at the positional groups across the NFL heading into camp and ranking them. Recently, they broke down special teams units and coming in at No. 1 was the Los Angeles Rams.
A lot of that has to do with Johhny Hekker, who is regarded as one of, if not the best, punters in the league. Hekker ’s accolades are well known with Rams fans, but as USA Today Sports’ Nate Davis points out you can’t over-emphasize just how much of a weapon he is. The undrafted five-year pro has already made three Pro Bowls and has been a first-team All-Pro selection three times (he was also a second-team selection in 2014).
Here’s more from Davis:
1. Los Angeles Rams: It’s time Johnny Hekker got his due — and for a team that so badly needs his services. His 51 punts inside the 20 easily led the NFL, yet Hekker only committed one touchback — sublime precision. His 46 net yards per punt were nearly 2 better than any of his peers. And Hekker’s background as a quarterback makes him dangerous on fakes whether he’s punting or holding for K Greg Zuerlein. The Rams also deployed the league’s top coverage teams and limited punt returners to a league-low 4.3 yards per chance. Zuerlein rebounded from a poor 2015 but needs more opportunities from the offense. Tavon Austin and Pharoh Cooper are highly capable return men.
It’s rare when anyone outside the punting profession gets excited about punts, but when you have a guy who can boot one 78 yards ALL IN THE AIR and drive the returner back 30 yards to field it it’s enough to give you chills.
You know you’ve done your job well as a punter when the star defensive tackle is the first one to run out on the field and give you dap.
And Hekker’s the classiest punter in the NFL to boot.
AgamemnonRanking NFL special teams: Punter Johnny Hekker, Rams don’t get enough credit
Nate Davis , USA TODAY Sports Published 8:33 a.m. ET July 13, 2017 | Updated 4:12 p.m. ET July 17, 2017Today’s positional group: Special teams
1. Los Angeles Rams: It’s time Johnny Hekker got his due — and for a team that so badly needs his services. His 51 punts inside the 20 easily led the NFL, yet Hekker only committed one touchback — sublime precision. His 46 net yards per punt were nearly 2 better than any of his peers. And Hekker’s background as a quarterback makes him dangerous on fakes whether he’s punting or holding for K Greg Zuerlein. The Rams also deployed the league’s top coverage teams and limited punt returners to a league-low 4.3 yards per chance. Zuerlein rebounded from a poor 2015 but needs more opportunities from the offense. Tavon Austin and Pharoh Cooper are highly capable return men.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyreek Hill was the NFL’s pre-eminent punt returner as a rookie, no one eclipsing his two TDs or 15.2-yard average. But his new role as the featured receiver could limit his opportunities, and the Chiefs no longer plan to use him on kickoffs. Dustin Colquitt’s 38 punts inside the 20 paced the AFC, and he rarely allows chunky returns. Cairo Santos’ 88.6% FG rate ranked fifth in the league.
3. Oakland Raiders: Entering his 18th year, Sebastian Janikowski looks to extend his career record for FGs from 50-plus yards (55). P Marquette King has a huge leg but does tend to outkick his coverage. Cordarrelle Patterson adds an explosive element after leading the league with 31.7 yards per kickoff last year.
4. Atlanta Falcons: They’re understandably overshadowed. Yet it’s always been that way for K Matt Bryant, one of the best in the business for 15 seasons. In addition to solid punting — though he’s rarely needed — Matt Bosher capably handles kickoffs, leading the NFC with 65 touchbacks last year. Newly signed Andre Roberts improves the return game.
5. New Orleans Saints: Sean Payton doesn’t give his kickers much rope, but Wil Lutz stabilized the position in 2016. P Thomas Morstead remains entrenched and can handle kickoffs, though Lutz assumed that role. Ted Ginn should jolt the return game.
6. New England Patriots: Last year was the first since 2011 that K Stephen Gostkowski failed to lead the league in points. Matthew Slater has long been one of the NFL’s special teams aces. P Ryan Allen isn’t a boomer but allows few return yards. The Pats could use more production on their own returns.
7. Baltimore Ravens: Did any team rely more on its kicker? Justin Tucker had a league-high 38 FGs, including 10 of 10 beyond 50 yards, and is now the most accurate man in NFL history (89.8%). Among a combined 66 FG and PAT attempts, he missed just once in 2016. Sam Koch equates his creative punts to golf shots but comes off a bit of a down season. Special teams guru John Harbaugh would surely welcome more impact from his returners.
8. Houston Texans: Only Tucker had more FGs than Nick Novak’s 35. Shane Lechler is one of the top punters in NFL history. Will Fuller’s speed made him a terror on punt returns.
9. Detroit Lions: Pro Bowler Matt Prater was a valuable component for a team that lived on the edge and hit all seven of his FG tries beyond 50 yards. Sam Martin was just as good, finishing second in the league with 44.2 net yards per punt. Andre Roberts wasn’t re-signed despite scoring twice on punt returns.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown always lurks as a threat to take a punt to the house. Since coming aboard in 2015, K Chris Boswell has proven a nice solution. He scored all 18 of Pittsburgh’s points in last year’s playoff win at Kansas City. The Steelers struggled to cover kicks.
Agamemnon
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