Dave Gettleman and the rest of the front office clearly placed an emphasis on improving the special teams portion of the Carolina Panthers, starting with a change at Special Teams Coordinator. Here I will examine how some of the new acquisitions will help improve our special teams.
KICKER
#9 Graham Gano, 5 Years Pro, Florida State University
Gano has one of the stronger legs in the NFL and is an asset on kickoffs. His accuracy suffered a bit last year after signing a big 4 year contract ($12.4 million), but Gano is cemented on the roster for the foreseeable future. Hopefully last year was just an off year and his accuracy will climb back upwards toward his first year in Charlotte (88.9% on field goals).
PUNTER
#8 Brad Nortman, 3 Years Pro, University of Wisconsin
The last compensation pick made by the Panthers in 2012, Nortman has a booming leg but can occasionally struggle with placement. He should benefit from the front office's focus on improving special teams coverage units.
LONG SNAPPER
#44 J.J. Jansen, 7 Years Pro, University of Notre Dame
A good long snapper is an asset, and Jansen will likely be around for a long time. Panthers fans should rest easy knowing that they will not have to worry about botched snaps on field goals or punts any time soon.
PUNT RETURNER
#19 Ted Ginn, Jr.
This is why Ginn was brought back. He is electrifying as a return man, and the Panthers punt return game in 2014 can only be described as mortifying. Fellow Wofford alumnus Brenton Bersin was never comfortable fielding punts. Ginn will bring an excitement to the Panthers fan base - in a good way. He can turn field position in Carolina's favor on any given punt.
#16 Philly Brown
Brown was all over the place last year as a punt returner, from muffing a punt, picking it back up, only to fumble it again moments later to scoring a 79 yard touchdown following a penalty on new teammate Teddy Williams. He is a suitable backup but needs to work more on securing the ball.
KICK RETURNER
#19 Ted Ginn, Jr.
See above. Ginn is a dynamic kick returner.
#?? Jordan Todman
Todman was a good kickoff returner for Jacksonville the last two seasons and he should align deep alongside Ginn on kickoff returns next season. He has good speed and is compact as a runner. The Panthers averaged 21.8 yards per kickoff return last season; Todman averaged 25.6.
GUNNERS / KICK COVERAGE
#?? Teddy Williams
Williams was not the cornerback most Panthers fans were hoping would be acquired via free agency this offseason. Williams was a track star in college before trying out for the NFL and should prove to be an asset on punt and kick coverage. Punter Brad Nortman and his booming leg will love watching Fast Teddy Williams race down the field to force the returner to fair catch a 60+ yard bomb.
#?? Kurt Coleman
Coleman was third on the Kansas City Chiefs last year with special teams tackles. He was signed to provide depth and competition at the safety position, but Coleman will also shore up special teams play. The success of Tre' Boston as a starting safety means that he cannot also participate on special teams in a capacity that one might expect out of a fifth round pick; Coleman can fill that role Boston was supposed to play.
#?? Jarrett Boykin
Boykin participated on every phase of special teams for the Green Bay Packers last year. Boykin continued the theme of finding free agents that contribute on special teams in addition to either offense or defense. If he steps up and secures a starting role opposite of Kelvin Benjamin, Boykin will likely not play a significant role on special teams.
#?? JasonTrusnik
Trusink was Miami's special teams captain last season, and he could come in and fulfill that same role in Carolina. The Panthers will not stand another subpar performance from special teams coverage units any longer.
#42 Colin Jones
Jones is perhaps the lone Panthers kick coverage player that should still fill a meaningful role this upcoming season on special teams. Jones is a superb athlete who has started to play more of a role on defense, but he made the team as a special teams player.
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