Packers may have finally cleaned up the mess on special teams
It’s not an overreaction to say that the Green Bay Packers’ 2021 special teams have been one of the most tragic units in recent NFL history.
However, the cursed year of 2021 is now in the rear-view mirror and as we all set off on our ambitious New Year’s resolutions, the Packers have conjured up one of their own: to achieve mere competency on special teams.
They actually entered 2022 in pretty decent form. In fact, ever since their abysmal showing against the Chicago Bears a month ago, this unit has been… fine for the most part.
They haven’t been good, but anything above diabolical is an upgrade for Maurice Drayton’s unit. As fans, we tend to have a bad habit of focusing on the negatives, and only passing remarks when this unit does something wrong. But truthfully, there hasn’t been a whole ton to complain about in recent weeks.
Has Mason Crosby shook off the yips?
Entering the bye week, Mason Crosby’s field goal kicking was becoming an egregious issue. It was now costing them games. His two missed field goals in Kansas City would’ve erased the six-point deficit, while his wide-left 34-yarder in Minnesota would have ‘technically’ given the Packers the edge on the scoreboard.
Beginning with the horror show in Cincinnati, Crosby went on a brutal 12-for-21 run entering the bye week, but he appears to have steadied the ship having kicked all six of his field goal attempts through the posts since that week off.
It should be noted that none of these kicks came from beyond 40 yards, so it would be nice to give Crosby a challenge from distance in the meaningless upcoming game against Detroit as preparation.
Packers have made noticeable improvements on kickoff coverage
Following the game against Chicago, the Packers were on a historically bad pace when it came to kickoff coverage. Crosby’s kickoffs couldn’t reach the end zone and poor coverage spacing meant teams were almost guaranteed to take the ball out beyond the 25.
A recommitment to kickoff coverage and some added reinforcements in the form of starting players over the past few weeks has greatly cleaned up these woes.
Despite all this, the Packers have still surrendered two returns of 30+ yards in the past three games, however they were at the mercy of two of the most dangerous return men in football: Baltimore’s Devin Duvernay and Minnesota’s Kene Nwangwu.
Adding Rasul Douglas to the fold on special teams has made a significant difference on kickoffs. Douglas has a knack for spacing and locating the ball carrier, and he’s an upper-echelon tackler for a cornerback.
David Moore might be the answer at punt returner
Former Seattle Seahawks WR David Moore was a recent addition to the Packers practice squad and was suddenly thrust into the lead punt returning role when Amari Rodgers landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
After registering the Packers’ longest punt return in 48 games (yes, seriously), Moore could very likely keep the job going forward. He just looked a whole lot more comfortable out there, a huge contrast to the unsure body language of Amari Rodgers.
Brian Gutekunst has already made solid in-season budget additions this year, be that Rasul Douglas or Whitney Mercilus, and Moore could be the next name added to that group.
Don’t worry about Corey Bojorquez
The Packers’ punter is known by many for his ability to perform in cold weather, harkening back to his days in Buffalo. But in the frigid Lambeau conditions on Sunday night, Corey Bojorquez came uncomfortably close to botching a hold on Mason Crosby’s first field goal attempt. He then followed it with a shank on his first punt of the night.
This proves the Packers’ sheer inability to put together a complete game of special teams, but as the most consistent player on this unit all season, I have very few doubts regarding Bojorquez entering the playoffs.