Published: Friday, September 11, 2009
Seahawks special teams
Special teams were something of a mixed bag for the Seahawks last year. On one hand, they were strong in the return game, ranking second in the NFL on kickoff-return average — the pessimist could point out that the 4-12 Seahawks had lots of practice — and 12th in punt-return average. Stopping those returns was another story, however. The Seahawks were worse than every team in the league but one in kick coverage, and were 21st in punt coverage.
Olindo Mare beat out Brandon Coutu for the place-kicking job, and gives the Seahawks a strong leg that will help compensate for kick coverage problems. He also was accurate on field goals last season.
John Ryan spent the preseason booming punts, and that position appears to be a strength for coach Bruce DeHaven’s special-teams unit.
One adjustment the Seahawks seemed to struggle with in the preseason was the rule change regarding kick returns. Teams are no longer allowed to form three- and four-man wedges to block on returns, and the four-man wedge was part of Seattle’s success in that category last season. The Seahawks hope the talents of Josh Wilson and other returners will compensate for any blocking struggles.
WHERE THEY RANKED IN 2008
A look at how the 2008 Seahawks finished among NFL teams in several special-teams categories:
Punt return average: 12th (10.1)
Kickoff return average: 2nd (25.3)
Punt coverage: 21st (10.1)
Kickoff coverage: 31st (25.6)
Punt gross average: 8th (45)
KEY SPECIALISTS IN 2009
K Olindo Mare
Held off second-year player Brandon Coutu in large part thanks to his booming kickoffs.
P Jon Ryan
Saskatchewan native replaced Ryan Plackemeier last season, and enjoyed an impressive preseason this year.
KR Josh Wilson
Speedy cornerback has been a big-play threat in his first two years in the league.
PR Justin Forsett
Second-year player was solid on returns last year. May give way to Nate Burleson in key situations.
LS Kevin Houser
Signed by the Seahawks in the offseason after eight seasons with New Orleans.
Olindo Mare beat out Brandon Coutu for the place-kicking job, and gives the Seahawks a strong leg that will help compensate for kick coverage problems. He also was accurate on field goals last season.
John Ryan spent the preseason booming punts, and that position appears to be a strength for coach Bruce DeHaven’s special-teams unit.
One adjustment the Seahawks seemed to struggle with in the preseason was the rule change regarding kick returns. Teams are no longer allowed to form three- and four-man wedges to block on returns, and the four-man wedge was part of Seattle’s success in that category last season. The Seahawks hope the talents of Josh Wilson and other returners will compensate for any blocking struggles.
WHERE THEY RANKED IN 2008
A look at how the 2008 Seahawks finished among NFL teams in several special-teams categories:
Punt return average: 12th (10.1)
Kickoff return average: 2nd (25.3)
Punt coverage: 21st (10.1)
Kickoff coverage: 31st (25.6)
Punt gross average: 8th (45)
KEY SPECIALISTS IN 2009
K Olindo Mare
Held off second-year player Brandon Coutu in large part thanks to his booming kickoffs.
P Jon Ryan
Saskatchewan native replaced Ryan Plackemeier last season, and enjoyed an impressive preseason this year.
KR Josh Wilson
Speedy cornerback has been a big-play threat in his first two years in the league.
PR Justin Forsett
Second-year player was solid on returns last year. May give way to Nate Burleson in key situations.
LS Kevin Houser
Signed by the Seahawks in the offseason after eight seasons with New Orleans.
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