Pouring resources into special teams pays off for Packers
The Green Bay Packers were determined to have a better special teams unit in 2022. After last year’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers – in which the 49ers scored their only touchdown off a blocked punt – something had to change.
Last year, the Packers finished dead last in Rich Gosselin’s annual special teams ranking. This year, they jumped 10 spots to 22nd.
The effort to pull Green Bay’s special teams out of the gutter started with Matt LaFleur’s firing of first-year coordinator Maurice Drayton. LaFleur is not typically quick to cut ties with a member of his staff, but he did go through two special teams coordinators in his first three years as the head coach. Clearly, it was a serious issue.
In need of a new coordinator, LaFleur went out and hired Rich Bisaccia. Bisaccia had two decades of experience and spent the last four years with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he replaced Jon Gruden as the interim head coach last season. Bisaccia led the Raiders to a 7-5 record and into the playoffs for the first time in four years.
After the season, Las Vegas decided to fire Bisaccia in favor of Josh McDaniels. Their loss was the Packers’ gain.
“We’re just really fortunate to have a guy of that caliber,” LaFleur said at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. “I think if you asked the coaches around the league, he’s regarded as one of the best in the business. Any time you can get a guy like that, that’s a big-time win for us. Ultimately, we all have to go out there and perform. But just in terms of the presence he brings, and the experience he brings, and the leadership he brings, it’s really going to benefit us.”
Green Bay had their man, but Bisaccia needed guys he could trust to carry out his principles. So, general manager Brian Gutekunst signed free agents Dallin Leavitt and Keisean Nixon, two players who had been with Bisaccia teams on the Raiders.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
The Packers even kept their special teams unit in mind when it was time to draft. In the seventh round, they added safety Tariq Carpenter, who was a developmental prospect with all the traits of a special teamer. The following month, they signed long snapper Jack Coco, who helped kicker Mason Crosby regain his consistency.
Last year was one of the worst years of Crosby’s career after nine missed field goals. Some were straight misses while others were a result of a poor operation. This year, field goal ops were much better, as Crosby missed only four attempts.
Still not satisfied, special teams remained a priority for Green Bay after training camp and into the regular season. The day after final roster cuts, they signed safety Rudy Ford, who came in with 985 special teams snaps under his belt. After Week 4, they added another important piece in linebacker Eric Wilson.
All of these acquisitions helped the Packers form not just a decent special teams, but at times, deadly. When Nixon finally took over for Amari Rodgers as the primary kick returner, he became an All-Pro with a league-high five kickoff returns of 50-plus yards for a total of 1,009 yards while being one of five players with a kick return touchdown.
Meanwhile, Leavitt brought a much-needed tenacity, attitude and leadership to special teams with seven tackles. Carpenter also proved to be a solid addition as a rookie, with seven tackles of his own.
According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson tied with Isaiah McDuffie for the most special teams tackles even though he was a mid-season signing. Wilson was also responsible for the team’s first blocked punt since 2018.
In the end, Green Bay missed out on the playoffs but finished with their best special teams ranking since 2017. It’s a solid consolation prize after so many years of ineptitude.
Unfortunately, it may be short-lived if the Packers lose Bisaccia to the Indianapolis Colts. Bisaccia interviewed for the head coaching gig on Friday and would be a deserving candidate.
Hopefully, even if Bisaccia leaves, Green Bay will continue to pour resources into its special teams after seeing the impact it can have.
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