Special Teams Coordinator Shawn Slocum
The Green Bay Packers got off to a decent start on special teams this past season, but the unit took a nose dive in the second half and finished dead last according to the annual NFL special-teams rankings released on Friday by the Dallas Morning News.
The Packers suffered five of their seven blocked kicks in games 10-16. Punter Tim Masthay had his worst season in Green Bay and the kickoff return unit struggled.
Green Bay’s Micah Hyde did return two punts for touchdowns and kicker Mason Crosby had another outstanding season.
The Dallas Morning News special teams rankings don’t include playoff games, but that didn’t stop the Packers from continuing their struggles in the playoffs.
In the NFC Championship game, the Seahawks scored a touchdown on a fake field goal, then reserve tight end Brandon Bostick messed up his assignment on the “hands” team. Instead of blocking, he tried to field the onside kick and the ball went through his hands and was recovered by the Seahawks, which allowed Seattle to pull out the victory in overtime.
Under Shawn Slocum, the Packers finished 31st in 2009, 29th in 2010, 13th in 2011, 12th in 2012 and 19th in 2013 before this season’s 32nd place finish.
Now the question is, will Mike McCarthy fire Shawn Slocum or give the Special Teams Coordinator another season?