The Philadelphia Eagles went 1-1 in three-point games last year and over the course of the 2017 season there will no doubt be games that will come down to the foot of a kicker.
Football coaches often refer to the three phases of football, offense, defense and special teams. While offense gets most of the glory, defense gets cheers for big hits and interceptions the special teams unit usually gets pushed to the side and is forgotten. In reality the special teams units are just as important as offense and defense, the Philadelphia Eagles are no exception.
Dave Fipp returns as the special teams coach for another season and will look to improve on an above average year for the Eagles special teams unit.
Kicking Unit
In 2016, Eagles kicker Caleb Sturgis ranked second in the NFL for field goals made, but just managed to be 15th in field goal percentage at 85.4%. The reality of the kicker position in the NFL is that once a kicker misses a few field goals the pressure will be on. NFL teams will bring in competition and will often switch kickers faster than other positions.
The three-team unit of magician long snapper Jon Dorenbos, holder/punter Donnie Jones and kicker Caleb Sturgis look to all be back to handle field goal duties this up-coming season. This trio will be watched throughout camp and preseason to ensure a 100% success rate with snaps, holds and kicks. Caleb Sturgis has the job for now but with any NFL kicker, success doesn’t always translate from season to season and a few missed kicks in pre-season will bring in competition for the starting gig.
Caleb Sturgis kicking field goals. #Eagles https://t.co/OTre7tVN18
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) July 28, 2017
Punting Unit
Long snapper Jon Dorenbos and long time Eagles punter Donnie Jones are both back this season as one of the best duos in the NFL. Donnie Jones will hope to continue punting in the top of the NFL in average and Net average. With only 21 punts downed inside the 20 yard line last season(26th in the league) there will be emphases on Jones to pin the opposing team deep in their own territory.
Kick and Punt Return Units
The Eagles kick return unit notched 2 return touchdowns last season. Former Eagle, Josh Huff and Wendell Smallwood each took one to the house for one of the best return units in the NFL. Kick return duty was split last season between Huff (7 returns), Smallwood(9 returns), Barner (9 returns) and Agholor (5 returns). With Barner and Huff gone this season, it will be something to watch to see who takes over the return duties. Paul Turner and Nelson Agholor may have the inside track to the two spots but this will be sorted out during the 4 game pre-season schedule.
Darren Sproles will most likely be back as the starting punt returner this season. As Sproles is getting older the Eagles have brought in other running backs to keep Sproles fresh for 3rd and 4th down duties. Sproles was 3rd in the NFL in punt return average with 13.2 yard per return. Dave Fipp and the Eagles coaches will expect another season of top-tier return units to help the offense and defense throughout the Eagles 16-game schedule.
The Philadelphia Eagles boast plenty of new faces on the offensive and defensive side of the ball and It will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out. The special teams units will have a lot of familiar faces and that will be a good thing, continuity and cohesion can win and lose close games.
Next: No more excuses for Carson Wentz
A positive training camp and pre-season with come and go without much talk about the special teams unit. Good punts, good coverage and made kicks are expected and needed to get this team in the Playoff hunt.