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Cool!The Vikings were led by a second-generation special teams coach in Mike Priefer, whose father, Chuck, spent 10 years with San Diego and Detroit from 1987 to ’96. His father’s best finish in special teams was second with the Lions in 1992.
Under Priefer’s direction, Minnesota vaulted from 29th in 2011 to the top spot this season. It was the greatest one-season improvement in the 33-year history of these rankings.
Not taking anything away from Priefer, but having Money RoboLeg had a lot to do with that. But kudos goes to him for helping Kicky Musclequads make the Pro Bowl one year after having a mediocre (at best) senior season.Mothman wrote:... at least according to Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning news, who ranked the Vikes at the top of his Special teams rankings for the year:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/column ... a-hero.ece
Cool!
LOL!dead_poet wrote:Not taking anything away from Priefer, but having Money RoboLeg had a lot to do with that. But kudos goes to him for helping Kicky Musclequads make the Pro Bowl one year after having a mediocre (at best) senior season.
losperros wrote:When one adds Percy Harvin's returns to the mix, then the Vikings special teams are even better.
Marcus Sherels is also a more effective returner than most want to admit. Not much of a DB, though.
They're both Walsh. As is Hulksmash McBallkicker.Mothman wrote: LOL!
Wait, if Walsh is Kicky Musclequads who is Money RoboLeg?
I see. In other words:dead_poet wrote: They're both Walsh. As is Hulksmash McBallkicker.
I shall give him PR props. He has improved and is probably the best punt returner we've had since Burleson. He's not electric, but serviceable. I think he was in the top-15 (in average) for returners with over 20 returns. 9.0 average. Good, but not irreplaceable. Unfortunately, if we upgrade our CB corps, I'm fine with trying out Wright or Robinson or player TBD. In my mind he's not electric enough to warrant a special roster spot. He shouldn't be an NFL corner as anything more than a #5.losperros wrote:Marcus Sherels is also a more effective returner than most want to admit. Not much of a DB, though.
what about reynaud?dead_poet wrote:I shall give him PR props. He has improved and is probably the best punt returner we've had since Burleson.
I put them on an about equal playing field. Reynard was better than Sherels this season.AADPFan wrote: what about reynaud?
Josh Robinson used to do a good job returning both kicks and punts for UCF. I'm surprised he wasn't used a bit more often in those roles this season. He could probably replace Sherels as a returner and the special teams wouldn't miss a beat. Robinson certainly has more upside as a CB than Sherels does.dead_poet wrote: I shall give him PR props. He has improved and is probably the best punt returner we've had since Burleson. He's not electric, but serviceable. I think he was in the top-15 (in average) for returners with over 20 returns. 9.0 average. Good, but not irreplaceable. Unfortunately, if we upgrade our CB corps, I'm fine with trying out Wright or Robinson or player TBD. In my mind he's not electric enough to warrant a special roster spot. He shouldn't be an NFL corner as anything more than a #5.
He hasn't done a ton with it, but he does have some experience. He returned 20 punts his sophomore year (nice 15.2 average) but only 7 his junior year.losperros wrote:Josh Robinson used to do a good job returning both kicks and punts for UCF.
He was my preference during the offseason. I think word circulated that he wasn't natural at catching the ball (maybe he dropped his fair share?). I know speed alone isn't going to translate into a good returner. Hopefully he gets another opportunity.losperros wrote:I'm surprised he wasn't used a bit more often in those roles this season.
I'll give Sherels credit again, he did an above average job (though perhaps my expectations are very low since the Bobby Wade/Greg Camerillo days), so it wouldn't be a cake walk for Robinson. But still, he'd certainly be much more explosive (provided he'd be secure with the football).He could probably replace Sherels as a returner and the special teams wouldn't miss a beat.
That's for sure.Robinson certainly has more upside as a CB than Sherels does
The stats are misleading, given some of the problems the Knights unexpectedly encountered with their defense in 2011, which led to fewer punts against them (they usually have a strong defense). Also, one has to remember that Rannell Hall was one of the nation's best KO returners and they had J.J. Worton for punt returns. Admittedly, Robinson did backup duty for these guys but he was good at it. It's not far-fetched to think he might be able to expand that role and be a primary returner. It's either that or the Vikings turn to another player on their roster or sign someone else. IIRC, Jarius Wright was not a returner for the Razorbacks.dead_poet wrote: He hasn't done a ton with it, but he does have some experience. He returned 20 punts his sophomore year (nice 15.2 average) but only 7 his junior year.
