Special teams Overview » Sav Rocca had a terrific season, especially compared to previous Redskins punters. But in terms of the league, he was right in the middle. His 39.0 net average ranked 17th. And he was 24th in gross average at 43.1 Seven punters topped his number of punts inside the 20 (28). But in fairness to Rocca, all seven of those punters attempted at least 12 more punts than he did. Still, he was valuable. Lorenzo Alexander had a terrific year in coverage. Niles Paul is a definite keeper as a blocker and coverman. Returner Brandon Banks did not have a good season. Was it blocking? Perhaps in part, but teams also did a good job of pinning him inside or to a side. Kicker Graham Gano improved and finished strong. He missed 10 field goals, though half of those were blocked. The coverage units were good, helped in part by Rocca’s punts and Gano’s kickoffs. But five blocked field goals? That’s terrible.
Better or worse than 2010 » Of the five areas on special teams, the Redskins were better in three of them. But having five field goals blocked as well as an extra point and having a return game that struggled makes it tough to say they overall were better.
Key free agents » Graham Gano (restricted). After sticking with him through an inconsistent 2010, it’s hard to imagine they’d let him leave now. Gano did not have a Pro Bowl season, but he improved and he made his last 14 field goals.
Degree of need » Moderate. They need to add depth and find players who can block. The better depth a team has on its roster, the better the special teams become. They need someone to challenge Banks. He finished 20th on kickoff returns and 21st on punt returns.
Offseason chore » Re-signing Gano. And improving the return game. Maybe the candidates to replace Banks already are on the roster, with Terrence Austin and perhaps even Aldrick Robinson. I have a hard time seeing the latter being ready to handle that role. He struggled in training camp. Robinson said he worked a lot on catching punts during the season, but he had a ways to go. Austin has good feet and would be better as a punt returner, where he can set defenders up a little easier. Plus, if he handled this role, they wouldn’t have to hold a roster spot for someone who rarely plays from offense. Banks is worth bringing back to camp because of his speed and what he showed in 2010. But last year a roster spot was a near guarantee and it shouldn’t be this year.
Best place to find help » Free agency (if they want a top returner), I think. Ted Ginn, who finished in the top five in both punt and kick returns, is the top free agent returner. No one else is close. The draft has some intriguing players in the middle rounds: Florida International’s T. Y. Hilton, Fresno State’s Devon Wylie (a punt returner) and Arkansas’ Joe Adams (punt returner). It could be their best option is on their own roster (Niles Paul can return kickoffs). If Gano somehow left, Denver’s Matt Prater is unrestricted. This past season, he made 19 of 25 field goals and is a career 78.4 percent kicker. He spent one season with Mike Shanahan.
– John Keim
