2009 Special Teams Grades

This is the third in my four part series grading the Steeler performances for 2009.  I think everyone knows the special teams where anything but special this year, particularly the coverage teams which gave up no less than 4 KO returns (2 more than the next highest in the NFL) for a 24.3 avg. (27th in NFL)...the punt coverage team wasn't that much better (ranked 23rd).   Below, I grade the specialists and a few position players who were really just strictly ST players this year...

Jeff Reed (B)  Other than his two costly misses in the Bear game, Reed was perfect inside of 50 yds. the rest of the season, going 27-for-31 with his other two misses over 50yds. (and he was perfect on 41 XPs).  So, in terms of grading his placekicking alone, I'd give him an A- (factoring in that he was money at the difficult Heinz field).  However, his KOs left plenty to be desired.  Seldom did they reach the goal line and often they failed to reach the 10.  It's difficult to tell how much the short KOs truly effect ed the coverage units but, if nothing else spotting the return man 10+ yards on each KO makes his getting it out to the 30 and beyond that much easier.  Also, on the returns for TDs andother long returns, Skippy looked like he wanted no part of tackling the returner even though he was the last line of defense (if you are on the field in uniform you are a football player first Jeff, not a spectator).  So, based on his KO game I'd grade him a C-...with his overall grade weighing in a B.  So, now he is a UFA and will be looking for a new contract (he turned down one offered to him before the season).  He will have suitors from other teams, but he is still valuable to the Steelerssince he has mastered Heinz field for the most part.  The key will be to not overpay just to bring him back, since there will be other kickers with stronger legs (both on FGs and KOs) available in the draft or as FA.  The risk of not bringing him back is the unknown that a new K may have trouble adjusting to Heinz.

Daniel Sepulveda (B)  His gross and net avgs. weren't that special (both ranked 22nd), but that's not always the best indicator of a punting performance.  He did managed to get 29 of his 72 punts inside the 20 with only 4 TBs(so in terms of placement he was better than avg.), plus with solid hang time he forced 18 FC.  So, all in all, a solid performance for a guy who missed all of '08 with injury.  Plus, he is one of the best tacklers on STs...no joke (Skippy needs to get some lessons from him).  As an RFA, the Steelers will certainly tender him an offer, andits not out of the ? that they could extend him for the right price.

Greg Warren (B+)  Long snappers usually live in anonymity until the bounce a snap.  So, since we didn't notice Warren this year, he did a good job.  He didn't register any tackles in coverage which everyonce in a while an agressive LS will do, but that's just a bonus.  Unfortunately, he got hurt on the last play (the winning XP) in the GB game and ended up on IR (for the 2nd time in as many years). 

Stefan Logan (B)  After being one of the most exciting stories in preseason with his electrifying returns, the regular season was somewhat of a disappointment.  As a KR, he was above avg. with 26.7 yds. per (and almost broke one going 83yds).  He did have some fumble problems early, and made a few bad decisions at times brining it out from the endzone then getting caught before the 20.  He was only avg. as a PR with 9.3 yds. per and no real big returns.  Plus, he looked tentative at times not sure whether to FC or return it (and gave way to MeMo when a "safe" return was nedeed or in the Brownie game).  As far as his KO coverage goes, he did manage to make some tackles, but at other times was too easily pushed out of his lane (most likely due to his small size).  Overall, he was a nice find by the Steelers and will break one for a TD sooner or later, but next year he should be worked into the O a bit more to see what he can do...and also since he could receive competition as a PR and KR from a potential rookie draft pick.

Anthony Madison (A-) After getting cut at the end of preseason he was finally brought back in week 13 (but not before playing for both the Browns and the Colts first).  He came in and did what he does (making 7 tackles in 5 games), which is cover kicks and punts...and maybe made the team think twice before cutting him again anytime soon.  While he provides nothing really as a DB in the secondary, he is the most valuable of the Steelers cover guys on STs and a top gunner.

Patrick Bailey (B-)  Another one of the teams top ST players, he didn't have the same kind of season that he had last year and was on the field during the 4 TD returns.  Overall, he did make some nice plays, but also got out of his lane a few times.  As an OLB, he has yet to show that he's a viable backup, so he'll have to make his living on STs for now.  Look for him to come back and have a better year in 2010, but he's not a given to make the roster if a rookie OLB prospect is drafted who is a more viable backup to Woodley/Harrison.

Andre Frazier (C)  Like Bailey, another OLB who makes his living mainly of STs.  He didn't have his best year in coverage either and got out of his lane at times (including the TD returns).  He has seen action in reserve as an OLB (mainly as a pash rusher) and is considered the top OLB backup...but that's not saying much.  Like Bailey he's at risk if an OLB prospect is brought in...which is likely.

Rocky Boiman (B-) Brought in before the Balt game in week 12 because the ST coverage was so poor (essentially replacing Arnold Harrison).  Managed to assist on 3 tackles but that's it.  More disciplined in keeping to his lane and seemed to help stablize the coverage a bit along with Madison.  He actually has starting experience as a LB, and could potentially be a viable ILB backup.  He'll be a UFA, and may be worth bringing back since the Steelers have no depth at ILB beyond Fox...but he'll be 30 next year and has reached his potential which is basically a limited backup and STer, so he should only be signed for vet min.

Jared Retkofsky (B)  Considering he came off his couch to snap for the Steelers in week 16, not bad.  His snaps weren't quite as crisp as Warren's but you'd expect a bit of that after so much time off.  So, it's two years in a row for him now, and he may make it a third if Warren can recover from his leg injury.