Packers still want to see something special
Last in a 10-part Packers positiona-nalysis series with grades and biggest needs.
GREEN BAY - When Matt LaFleur was hired last offseason, it wasn’t hard for the Green Bay Packers’ new head coach to figure out what needed to be improved on special teams.
The Packers’ special-teams units had been plagued by simple mistakes for years, culminating in former coordinator Ron Zook’s quick dismissal. LaFleur charged new coordinator Shawn Mennenga with the task of cleaning things up.
In that regard, Mennenga’s first season was a success. The Packers’ special teams ran a much tighter production in 2019, minimizing mistakes. But if the units were more reliable, they certainly weren’t remarkable. There were few explosive plays. By his own admission, Mennenga’s cautious approach that resulted in fewer miscues also hindered play-making, particularly in what was a historically poor punt-return unit.
So as LaFleur reviews special teams from his first season, the necessary improvement remains easy to identify.
The good
Mennenga inherited a special teams unit that had at least 15 penalties in seven straight seasons. That peaked in 2018, when Zook’s unit was penalized 26 times. In Mennenga’s first season, that number was chopped in half. Only three teams had fewer special-teams penalties than the Packers’ 13 (Buffalo with 10, Philadelphia and Minnesota with 11 apiece). It was an impressive one-year turnaround, especially under a new coordinator.
The bad
Let’s talk about that punt-return team. No, it did not finish with negative yardage, but the fact it even came close is inconceivable. Even after Tyler Ervin’s arrival prevented that bit of infamy, the Packers still became only the second team in the past 37 years with fewer than 100 punt-return yards (98 on 20 returns) on the season (joining the 2015 San Diego Chargers). Ervin’s arrival showed how important explosive potential in the return game can be. It’s something the Packers must retain in 2020.
Biggest need
A touchdown would be nice. The Packers haven’t produced a specialteams touchdown since Micah Hyde returned a pair of punts for scores in 2014. Their last kickoff-return touchdown was Randall Cobb’s 106-yard dash in the Packers’ 2011 season opener against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers need that drought to end.
Grades
Mason Crosby: In a contract year, rebounded from dismal 2018 with careerbest field-goal percentage (22 of 24, 91.7 percent). Made 40 of 41 extra points, the lone miss coming in Week 16 at Minnesota. Season highlighted by a pair of game-winning kicks against Detroit Lions. Second game-winner came at Detroit, where Crosby missed five kicks in 2018. Set to become free agent. GM Brian Gutekunst said after the season he wants to re-sign Crosby. Grade: Aminus
JK Scott: Flashes of Pro Bowl potential buried under maddening inconsistency. Too many missed kicks from the former fifth-round pick, and in big moments. Shanked 23-yard punt early in NFC championship game at San Francisco, leading to short-field touchdown and 17-0 deficit. Hit midseason swoon, averaging fewer than 40 yards per punt four straight games. Strengths have been hang time and control. Ranked fifth among NFL punters with 25 fair catches and tied for ninth with 29 punts inside the 20. Grade: C
Hunter Bradley: Inconsistent with snap placements, but mostly steady. No tackles and no penalties. Grade: C
Tyler Ervin: Arrived in early December and immediately transformed the Packers’ historically abysmal punt-return unit. On the season, Packers sat at minus-8 punt return yards before Ervin’s arrival, threatening to become the first team in NFL history with negative return yards for a whole year. Ervin gained 106 return yards in four games. Grade: B