For those of you who think McFarland is yet another speedster who can't break tackles

[whatever]

Or it can be looked at as phases Offense Defense and Special Teams. There are 3 phases of an NFL game so in that regard Special Teams could be considered 1/3 of the game.

I guess, but the ones that use that phrase are insinuating that the 3 phases are equal in regards to importance in winning.

[hawaiiansteel]

I guess, but the ones that use that phrase are insinuating that the 3 phases are equal in regards to importance in winning.

I don't believe that ST are equal in regards to the importance of winning, but STs can result in a loss which might make the difference of making the playoffs or staying at home.

[whatever]

There's a reason why ST are made up of rookies and backups. They aren't viewed as being very important by any HC.

[Captain Lemming]

There's a reason why ST are made up of rookies and backups. They aren't viewed as being very important by any HC.

Bolstering the point, "rookie" Lynn Swann lead the NFL in punt returns. The Steelers led the NFL in punt returns that season.
He was never again the team's primary returner even though he clearly was their best returner.

[Captain Lemming]

It may be a mere 20 yards per game, on average, HOWEVER, those with great returners win at least one more game per season from them, if not 2-3. Now THAT IS a big deal. Remember when the Bears made the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman at QB? How could that be? They had a killer return game. But the Steelers can't be bothered to even try to land one, they pretend the role doesn't even exist.

Scouting report on Dri Archer:
Archer’s best chance at immediate success might be as a kickoff returner, a capacity in which he led all FBS players in 2012 with 34.76 yards per return, and had four touchdowns in the past two seasons alone.

Colbert on why we drafted Dri Archer:
"Return guys can change the game," said general manager Kevin Colbert. "In my mind, return guys are starters. When you get guys like that who change the game, they are special. His kick-return ability is special."

Before Archer....it was Chris Rainey.

Recently?
Antonio Brown led the NCAA in one stat. Average yards per punt return. He was PRIMARILY a punt returner with us with little thought at the time he was starter material. We previously drafted Wallace and we drafted Sanders earlier in the same draft. He was the team's 5th receiver as a rookie.
Brown was initially PRIMARILY a punt and kick returner.

And he was an AWESOME returner. His eventual ascension to elite receiver is why his role as a return man diminished.

And the dude everybody hates, Switzer? We traded for him SPECIFICALLY because of his rep as a returner.
Dude led the NCAA in punt returns and had just come off of all rookie team punt returner with the Cowboys.

We HAVE drafted and traded to try to get a top tier returner.

We just miss a lot.

[Steelerphile]

There is some irony in this. First, people condemn picks like Dri Archer and Chris Rainey, and whine they would never want another player like. Then on the other side, say the Steelers never address the return position. Archer and Rainey were selected primarily because of their return abilities. Most return specialists are smaller guys. So if the Steelers were to draft another player who is specifically a return specialist, as certain people state they should, then they would probably resemble Dri Archer or Chris Rainey, and then would then be another uproar about how they are too small?

[Mr.wizard]

I guess, but the ones that use that phrase are insinuating that the 3 phases are equal in regards to importance in winning.

I would agree with that, Special Teams does not have the same impact as offense or defense on a regualr basis but it still can impact an individual game and in the NFL a single game could be the difference.

[Steel Maniac]

There is some irony in this. First, people condemn picks like Dri Archer and Chris Rainey, and whine they would never want another player like. Then on the other side, say the Steelers never address the return position. Archer and Rainey were selected primarily because of their return abilities. Most return specialists are smaller guys. So if the Steelers were to draft another player who is specifically a return specialist, as certain people state they should, then they would probably resemble Dri Archer or Chris Rainey, and then would then be another uproar about how they are too small?

No irony whatsoever, why?

Because what was initially said was “ “take a specialist in the last two rounds specifically for punt returns.“

And... what the Captain didn’t include was those guys were to have a role in the offense as well. A significant role in which we all were questioning at the time ;which kept bringing up the questioning of,” why isn’t Archer or Rainey getting any offensive touches like Colbert said they would?” Which brought up the comparisons of McFarland to them.

[Steel Maniac]

https://syndication.bleacherreport.c...plans.amp.html

Everybody knows that Rainey and Archer were not drafted to just play on special teams. They were suppose to be in the offense.

[whatever]

Everybody knows that Rainey and Archer were not drafted to just play on special teams. They were suppose to be in the offense.

Yup. They were going to be nightmares for opposing DCs. That super speedy player that can be lined up all over the place. Players that Ben and the OC will love to have because they are so versatile.
Players that will open up the field. Guys that will take double coverage off our wrs. Etc etc etc.
You know, real Steeler types.....