Special Teams Weight

[Ctown-Fan]

It does not seem like special teams are weighted enough by scouts and coaches in the game. Often, I will draft a late round CB/WR/S with high Punt and Kick Return stats only to have the player placed on the Inactive List or cut (w/o a drop in return stats). Then when I go to the depth chart, the only retun men avaliable have low ratings or are running backs without return ratings. This is an important aspect of the game (obviously signified by training camp) but there is no emphasis by scouts and coaches in player decisions in this regard. If special teams skills are part of training camp, why isn't there a coach rating for this aspect of the game? Bill Cowher was a great special teams coach before he became head coach of the steelers. Does anyone else agree with me, or am I out on a limb on this one?

What about other special teams skills? Tarek Saleh (sp.) seems to make every punt tackle for the Browns, but in FOF 2001 there is no reason to keep him, becasue his FB ratings are poor. What about someone like Steve Tasker? I know that Special Teams is basically something for young players to get NFL experience, but for others it can be a career where they shine.

[ICE55]

I agree, I think a special teams bar on players (except QB's) would be a great addition. It would allow you to fill up some of those last roster positions with guys who could be classified as "specialists". It would also add another aspect to the draft in that if it came down to two rookie LB's with one having better regular ratings but sucking on special teams and one with lower ratings but higher special teamsratings you would have a decision to make.

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ICE55