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This is.... what we like to hear.
Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images
If we’re honest, the Bengals were borderline unwatchable at
times early on. Finishing 2-14, there weren’t many bright spots for a team that finished with
the league’s worst record.
However, there were a few.
The Bengals’ special
teams was one of them. The oftentimes forgotten side of the ball was led by
punter Kevin Huber and kicker Randy Bullock to go along
with solid long snappers, returners and projection units.
Coached by Darrin
Simmons, that unit in particular is worthy of some praise. “Simmons
has spent his entire Bengals term leading the special teams units, and for the
last seven years has held the title of special teams
coordinator,” Bengals.com has under Simmons bio.
Here’s the breakdown of many different special teams’ rankings
The Bengals were actually percentage-wise led by strong safety Clayton Fejedelem who played over 80% of the special teams’ snaps in 14 of the team’s 16 games.
In the return game, they were led by Brandon Wilson. He totaled
625 yards on 20 kick returns with one touchdown as well. It was Alec Erickson
who did the team’s punt returns.
Averaging 45.3 per punt, it may have been Kevin
Huber who was the most impressive special teams’ member though. He was
just six yards shy of 3,400 on the season, including a 63-yard long.
Huber has played his entire career in Cincinnati, earning
one Pro Bowl appearance in 11 seasons. He’s become a fan favorite and
should continue to be for quite a while.
As for Bullock, he finished the season 87% on field goals
and 96% on PATs, both solid percentages in a modern-day NFL that struggles for
consistency from the kicker.
