Panthers Special Teams Finally Does Something Special

by Jaxon on Nov 22, 2011 6:00 PM EST in Sponsored Posts

With 13:50 left in the 2nd quarter of the Panthers game against the Lions rookie WR Keoloha Pilares returned a kick off 101 yards for a TD, the first kick off return since 2003. It was an obvious relief for a fan base and a unit that had done nothing but struggle all season. Now it was only one play but there were other players who made an impact on special teams besides Pilares, in particular on kick coverage.

The Panthers recent roster moves all involved players expected to help with kick coverage and Ron Rivera singled a few out if you didn't already notice:

Panthers coach Ron Rivera pointed to Vaughan, Richie Brockel and Kion Wilson as players who made a difference in special teams play and could have long-term impacts on the team.

"What's happening is there are some veteran guys that we brought in and expected bigger things from them and we haven't gotten it so we're going to move on.

"We're going to find the young guys and start plugging these guys in," Rivera said.

I would say those were some good changes. I've loved seeing Brockels enthusiasm all season but it was also nice to see I guy like Vaughan, who was hardly considered a ST type of guy, make two tackles. I know many will knock Vaughan for his horse collar tackle and penalty but he did apparently save a TD (for a moment anyway).

Consequently, based on the TD and other fine play I'm going to give our Special Teams the Power Play of the Week award!

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Comments

Nice to see ST making some plays

And getting some love too.

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Nov 22, 2011 6:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions

FYI

Have you seen where Thomas Keiser has been listed on NFL.com in the voting for “rookie of the week”.
VOTE GUYS !!!!!

Jim

by goofygolfer on Nov 22, 2011 6:39 PM EST reply actions

I voted like 20 times (he needs it if hes gonna win)

by rscott94 on Nov 22, 2011 6:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Need a LINK for that!

by criolle johnny on Nov 22, 2011 8:11 PM EST up reply actions

I put a link to it in a fan post earlier today.

STICK THE KNIFE IN AND TURN IT!!!!!

by MrBernz on Nov 22, 2011 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

Got it, thanks.

by criolle johnny on Nov 24, 2011 6:48 AM EST up reply actions

Great ST last week

Vaughn made some great tackles and of course Pilares did work

by rscott94 on Nov 22, 2011 6:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Yea that was awesome! I do see a bright future for Pilares however I do kind of hope we get a big stud WR in the draft. What I mean is a Megatron type WR, I’m talking about a guy that is 6-3 or 6-4. Dwight Jones, Alshon Jeffery and Michael Floyd are all big WRs. The way Cam throws high passes a lot, a big and tall WR might be the perfect fit, someone to compliment Smitty.

Because Pilares is only 5-10 isn’t he? But yea, congrats to him. He finally broke 1!

by PantherTrain on Nov 22, 2011 6:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions

We have another height challenged WR on the roster. Mayhaps you have heard of him?

I believe he’s number 89, whoever the hell that is…

Nobody fucks with the Jesus! -Big Lebowski

by Tomthehomer on Nov 22, 2011 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

Steven Smith?

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Nov 23, 2011 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

It would be nice..

To have a Plaxico (without a gun) type receiver. Tall and big redzone threat…. but we have greater needs and we should pick up a tackler (Zack Brown in the first and maybe Worthy in the 2nd)

by rscott94 on Nov 22, 2011 7:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I hate to point this out but

it’s no coincidence that our ST unit suddenly got exponentially better in one week. Detroit’s ST unit is ranked 30th overall only ahead of, wait for it…Carolina and Indianapolis according to: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamst I’m not convinced just yet.

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson

by Swamp Panther on Nov 22, 2011 7:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Hey, if they can make a headline story that Kevin Smith completely gashed the Panther known-to-be atrocius run Defense...then

We have the right to get take our own positives from the game as well.

"Hope for the best plan for the worst"
"They laugh at me because I'm different, I laugh at them because they're all the same"

by Efury on Nov 22, 2011 8:35 PM EST up reply actions

I hadn't thought of it that way!

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson

by Swamp Panther on Nov 22, 2011 9:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think in North Carolina, that gun charge wouldn't even have been a charge.

Maybe a charge for it going off in public though.

STICK THE KNIFE IN AND TURN IT!!!!!

by MrBernz on Nov 22, 2011 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

Still

I’d prefer no gun please lol

by rscott94 on Nov 22, 2011 8:19 PM EST up reply actions

You heard of the recent "Castle Law" in NC?

Apparently you’re allowed to shoot anybody that takes a single step on your property now.

"If ya ain't first, you're last."
- Ricky Bobby's Dad

"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain."
-Frank Tyger

by KaiserBromley on Nov 23, 2011 1:18 AM EST up reply actions

Probably not.

I actually tend to think he got hosed. His punishment should have been the embarrassment of everyone knowing he nearly sterilized himself with a hand gun.

I know the law’s the law, and based on NY Law he got the sentence for the crime, but the way I see it, no one was hurt save for Plaxico, and it wasn’t like he held up a convenience store…he carried a gun for protection and it accidentally went off and he shot himself. That should be punishment enough, IMO.

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Nov 23, 2011 9:00 AM EST up reply actions

I would have been pissed

My father did 2 years in Jersey for carrying a hand gun that was registered in NC but not in NY/NJ. He didn’t fire it, he didn’t have it in public (was locked in the money bag in his delivery truck) he went through a traffic check and like he was supposed to informed the officer he had a weapon on board. While he was in he met a guy that two show pistols (think single shot here) in a locked glass case in the trunk of his car who also served two years.

New York and New Jersey have crazy gun laws, but I’m glad they apply the laws equally.

"I kinda just sling it" -Jake

by bleed_in_blue on Nov 23, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

You’re right: one thing we can give them credit for is they follow the letter of the law without looking at the circumstances surrounding it, which avoids favoritism.

The law is stupid, but at least they enforce it equally.

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Nov 23, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

That is really awful b in b. I don't know how such a law (as written) could even be constitutional.

Two years in Jersey is a punishment no one should suffer (I jest, but I truly am appalled and sorry for your father, you, and your family)

So much to be done, and so few people willing to do it for me.

by Rick Bates on Nov 23, 2011 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

pilares

Also won nfc special teams player of the week. Nice. Still feel that pilares will contribute at wr given the chance. He aint gonna be edwards part 2. He’s already done more for us

Save us Pilares

by LimeyPanther on Nov 22, 2011 7:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions

From Panthers.com...

Some nuggets on Pilares after this week’s performance (sorry Goodson…. and Mr. Bernz /jk)
With three returns for 140 yards on the day, Pilares tied the team record for highest kickoff return average in a game (46.7) by recording the exact same numbers as Smart eight years ago. He is now averaging 26.2 yards per kickoff return on 13 attempts, an average that is tied for 10th in the NFL among returners with 10 or more attempts.

Not bad for a player who returned just seven kicks over four seasons at the University of Hawaii.

“I’ve improved tremendously,” Pilares said. “Steve Smith has really helped me out, watching film with me and helping me with setting up blocks.”

So much to be done, and so few people willing to do it for me.

by Rick Bates on Nov 22, 2011 8:03 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Go Smitty...coach him up!

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by Jaxon on Nov 22, 2011 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

I believe I was arguing half of the off season that Smith mentors the rest of the team.

While everyone was saying he doesn’t and he should be traded before his contract ends.

STICK THE KNIFE IN AND TURN IT!!!!!

by MrBernz on Nov 22, 2011 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

Smitty has really grown into the role of being a role-model for our receivers.

Earlier in the year Lafell was quoted indicating that Smith had gave him advice on making plays with his hands…and look at the plays that he’s made this season. Lafell rarely drops a pass now a days. Coach em’ up Smitty.

"Hope for the best plan for the worst"
"They laugh at me because I'm different, I laugh at them because they're all the same"

by Efury on Nov 22, 2011 8:40 PM EST up reply actions

I still hate the rule change on kickoffs

With the rare exception (Devin Hester excluded) teams will take a knee 9 times out of 10. That makes the aspect of the game boring. Glad to see Pilares take one back though.

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Nov 22, 2011 9:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions