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... 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

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.

Cool!

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!

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.

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.

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.

LOL!

Wait, if Walsh is Kicky Musclequads who is Money RoboLeg?

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.

No, but I agree that he's a good returner.

Mothman wrote: LOL!

Wait, if Walsh is Kicky Musclequads who is Money RoboLeg?

They're both Walsh. As is Hulksmash McBallkicker.

Like the MS3K bit.

BUTCH STEEL-FOOT

dead_poet wrote: They're both Walsh. As is Hulksmash McBallkicker.

I see. In other words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFHlJ2voJHY

losperros wrote:Marcus Sherels is also a more effective returner than most want to admit. Not much of a DB, though.

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.

dead_poet wrote:I shall give him PR props. He has improved and is probably the best punt returner we've had since Burleson.

what about reynaud?

AADPFan wrote: what about reynaud?

I put them on an about equal playing field. Reynard was better than Sherels this season.

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.

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.

losperros wrote:Josh Robinson used to do a good job returning both kicks and punts for UCF.

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:I'm surprised he wasn't used a bit more often in those roles this season.

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.

He could probably replace Sherels as a returner and the special teams wouldn't miss a beat.

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).

Robinson certainly has more upside as a CB than Sherels does

That's for sure.

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.

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.

I wonder how long Mike Priefer will remain an ST coach. He seems to have a pretty level head on his shoulders, speaks well at press conferences, is fairly young. He's coached special teams since 1996, so maybe that's all he wants to do. I'd be curious to know whether or not he has greater ambitions. Seems that a guy who can get great performances out of a fairly disparate group of players plugged into ST roles would be a good candidate for a head coaching job.