the sand has almost run out on this.... we are his 5th team in as many years... all i keep hearing about some of the guys we kept is "special teams ability"... how fricking hard is it, really, to play a non-returner ST role in the NFL? it's basically like playing "tackle the man with the football"... sure, some are better at it than others, but i'm pretty sure the little bit they lack in ST ability is made up for with their ability during the actual offensive or defensive play...

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You are putting way too much emphasis on what you saw in a few preseason games. Practice reps were infinitely more valuable

practice is not more important than how a player actually plays when the lights are brightest... how does a guy helps us that is all-pro in practice, but can't get his shite together during the game? if yiadom was that good at anything, defensively or ST, surely he would have stuck around a little longer at one of his 4 previous stops before us...

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Posted by Proximo

Member since Aug 2011

15576 posts

Posted on 8/30/23 at 11:33 am to chRxis

Shaq Davis
Anfernee Orji
Ty Summers
Anthony Johnson
Johnathan Abram
Jack Heflin

Signed to ps

This post was edited on 8/30/23 at 11:37 am

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Posted by Hot Carl

Prayers up for 3

Member since Dec 2005

59434 posts

Posted on 8/30/23 at 12:50 pm to chRxis

quote:
the sand has almost run out on this.... we are his 5th team in as many years..

That’s my bad. I didn’t realize he had been around that long. I thought he was a 2nd year guy.

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how fricking hard is it, really, to play a non-returner ST role in the NFL? it's basically like playing "tackle the man with the football"

Obviously it’s way harder than you’ve convinced yourself it is. 10 guys on each of the 5 special teams have to have the skill—and willingness—to do it. Then they have to be able to it well and within the scheme. Having 10 guys just running down the field with their hair on fire but no plan, just trying to play “tackle the man with the football” is a really good way for your punts and kicks to get housed.

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sure, some are better at it than others, but i'm pretty sure the little bit they lack in ST ability is made up for with their ability during the actual offensive or defensive play...

Except it’s not. We have a handful of guys that will ONLY play special teams. At least we hope. If some of our end of the depth chart DBs or LBs are out there playing more defensive snaps than special teams, then something has gone way wrong that day.

Like I said about Jaylon Smith. You can’t afford to have too many guys taking up spots who have zero role in the game plan that week. That if everything goes well, you hope they don’t even touch the field. Special teamers and yes, even Tre’Quan who we all hate, at least provide value because, while it may be limited, you know they have a specific role every week and will be used on the actual field.

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Posted by Hot Carl

Prayers up for 3

Member since Dec 2005

59434 posts

Posted on 8/30/23 at 1:02 pm to chRxis

quote:
practice is not more important than how a player actually plays when the lights are brightest...

To be clear, I am not knighting for Yiadom. I just very recently learned this human existed. But the lights aren’t shining that bright in preseason games. Camp practices matter more. There are just so many more reps and situations you can simulate to put players in where you can control who they’re playing with and who they’re going up against.

I do agree with you that there are “gamers” that step up when the lights are on. But I’m also a believer that you have to earn your opportunity to play when the lights are on. In practice. Practice matters. How you practice matters. It just does.

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