FEATURE STORIES

Inexperienced Special Teams Unit Looks to Impress

By David Urbaniak
UWRF Public Affairs

Entering training camp this summer many fans might be puzzled when they look at the Kansas City Chiefs special teams unit. Kick return specialist Dante Hall and kicker Lawrence Tynes are both on different NFL rosters. Fans might be wondering "how will this void be filled?"

Although changes have been made, Coach Herm Edwards and Special Teams Coach Mike Priefer have a plan.

The plan is to install fifth round draft choice Justin Medlock at place kicker; not a hard decision since he was one of the most elite kickers in the NCAA last season. Eight year veteran long snapper Jean-Phillippe Darche acquired from the Seattle Seahawks will be able to help Medlock along with second year punter Dustin Colquitt, who showed off his talents last season as one of the league's best punters.

Prifer will have his hands full developing Medlock into a clutch kicker. Medlock is no slouch, he made a 70-88 career field goals at UCLA with six kicks of 50-yards or more. Medlock led the NCAA in field goals made his senior year with 28 and was second in points scored among kickers with 113.

The only question mark for Medlock is how he will perform in key situations, being an untested rookie and kicking in NFL stadiums.

The Chiefs punting game is a spot coaches can relax about this season with one of the leagues best young punters in Colquitt. Not only can Colquitt blast the ball down field, he also has the ability to pin the ball within an opponent's 10-yard line. He has an amazing ability to put touch or spin on the ball, whatever the situation calls for. Colquitt will be spending his second season with Prifer continuing to work on his technique and increasing his average yards per punt, a remarkable 44.1 (fourth best in NFL) last season.

According to the Kansas City Chiefs website, Prifer had this to say about Colquitt, "Dustin felt confident that when he went on the field, he had his best opportunity to succeed. When you give a player who is that talented enough confidence in his abilities and do a good job of protecting and covering around him, you get the best of both worlds."

Current standout to replace Hall in the kick off return game is second year wide receiver Jeff Webb. To fill Hall's shoes, often smoking from breaking opponents' ankles with his agility, Webb will have to bust out with some long returns and a few touchdowns. Webb had seven returns last year averaging 24.1 yards and a long of 50-yards, impressing coaches and likely giving him the notch at the position.

There are still questions that need to be answered about who will be returning punts for the Chiefs. When camp starts it is likely wide receiver Eddie Kennison, defensive back Benny Sapp and Webb will all have a shot at the role. Kennison hasn't been doing much punt returning since 1999 when he played for the Saints, but stands at the top of the depth chart currently. Depending on how camp goes anyone could end up with the job.

Losing long snapper Kendall Gammon is a set back considering his talents and experience at the position, but Darche is a solid replacement.

Special teams is an area that many young players can show off their athleticism and agility to try to make their way on an NFL roster. The team's top two tacklers in the kicking game last season are both gone. Linebacker Kris Griffin was released in May, while running back Dee Brown was not re-signed.

Last season, defensive back Bernard Pollard was one of the team's best coverage man on special teams. He finished the season with 15 tackles, two blocked punts and another punt that he deflected.

"About midway through the year he would show up for our meetings a little more focused than earlier in the year," said Priefer on the Chiefs website. "He would come to practice with almost a chip on his shoulder like 'Hey I'm a pretty darn good special teams player and I'm going to go out and prove that this week."