Do we block well on kickoff and punt returns?

[flippy]

Special teams are getting a lot of heat for the returns we give up. But how are we doing on special teams in terms of our own returns?

Stefan Logan is a talented player, but hasn't had any returns himself. Is that his fault or is their room to improve in terms of the way we block for him on his returns?

Improving our returns may be just as important as improving our coverage.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Not well enough...we've got 7 games to improve before the real season starts.

[steelblood]

No. Logan is on his own out there. He's had some decent returns to midfield or so. It is usually because he runs around the coverage. Our special teams (besides punting) are a weakness. A good kick returning unit with create creases for the returner to hit. There are rarely creases.

[ikestops85]

Our blocking on returns has been attrocious. There really have not been any creases for Logan to run through at speed. Our special teams has taken 10 steps backward from last year. Was Anthony Madison that good?

[papillon]

If Logan needs each punt and kickoff blocked perfectly then he really was a wasted roster spot. The returner has to be able to break some tackles and make people miss.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

If Logan needs each punt and kickoff blocked perfectly then he really was a wasted roster spot. The returner has to be able to break some tackles and make people miss.

Pappy

Not perfectly...just better.

[ikestops85]

If Logan needs each punt and kickoff blocked perfectly then he really was a wasted roster spot. The returner has to be able to break some tackles and make people miss.

Pappy

I don't think he needs it blocked perfectly ... he just needs a crease and it ain't been there.

[True Fan]

wasn't special teams an area that tomlin said is a priority and will be addressed (a few years ago)/

[RuthlessBurgher]

wasn't special teams an area that tomlin said is a priority and will be addressed (a few years ago)/

Our special teams were awful in Tomlin's first season. Changes were made and the coverage units improved significantly during the Super Bowl year (although the return game was still subpar, using guys like Gary Russell and Najeh Davenport on kick returns). Now the returns have improved (even though we haven't broken on for a TD yet, our average yardage gained on kick and punt returns are higher than any year since Randle El left), but the coverage units have regressed sharply.

[phillyesq]

wasn't special teams an area that tomlin said is a priority and will be addressed (a few years ago)/

Our special teams were awful in Tomlin's first season. Changes were made and the coverage units improved significantly during the Super Bowl year (although the return game was still subpar, using guys like Gary Russell and Najeh Davenport on kick returns). Now the returns have improved (even though we haven't broken on for a TD yet, our average yardage gained on kick and punt returns are higher than any year since Randle El left), but the coverage units have regressed sharply.

The improvement in return average, I think, is directly attributable to Logan. He can make a few guys miss, and he has made some plays on his own, but he is not getting creases. He shouldn't need perfect blocking, but he isn't getting much help.

[flippy]

I rarely see anything set up for Logan. He always seems to be running right into defenders on every return. Maybe we should have signed his entire Canadian league unit. Get all the players that blocked for him too.