Tag: special teams coordinator

Chiefs Dave Toub takes the blame for missed field goal vs. Browns: ‘That was my fault’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub takes the blame for missed field goal vs. Browns: ‘That was my fault’ | @EdEastonJr

Harrison Butker’s return last Sunday was an encouraging sign as he continues to regain strength ahead of the postseason. However, he missed a field goal in the victory over the Cleveland Browns, causing some concern that he may not be healthy enough to be in the lineup.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub immediately dismissed that as the reason and laid the blame on his in-game decision, which he explained to reporters on Wednesday.

“I’ll just talk about the miss. I need to do a better job of communicating with the holder and the snapper. You know that we were going to kick the field goal. I just assumed they were together, but they weren’t.” said Toub. “That was my fault. So I mean that that little bit of a change where Harrison’s panicking, where are they? You know? I mean that that has an effect.”

Butker returned after missing several weeks due to surgery on his non-kicking leg, and the Chiefs used two different kickers in his absence.

“So it wasn’t his injury. I don’t think that had anything to do with it,” said Toub. “I just think anything, anytime you get an operation out of sync, like that, whether they have to rush or somebody’s not there, it’s that puts a toll on it, and I think that’s what happened there, you know, I’ll take the glow I was my fault. Get those guys out there. I can’t assume that they’re right together.”

Butker will have a chance to redeem the miss this Saturday back home at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chiefs Dave Toub reveals injury recovery timeline for Harrison Butker: ‘He just started kicking’

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub reveals injury recovery timeline for Harrison Butker: ‘He just started kicking’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters on Thursday about kicker Harrison Butker’s injury recovery progress.

“He looked good. We got to see how he responds. He’s going to kick again today.” said Toub. And put a little bit more on him. And I think he looks pretty good. We’ll see.”

The Chiefs have managed well without Butker, utilizing Spencer Shrader and Matthew Wright in his place. The latter won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his efforts against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“If Harrison (Butker) is back, he’s back; I think he’ll get better as we keep him kicking more. He just started kicking again, as he’s starting to feel better, starting to get his power back, and it’s going to be a little bit before we, you know, he’s a hundred percent,” said Toub. “I’d say maybe two or three weeks, hitting the ground running time for playoffs. So, we got him back on that horse and back out there and going again. I mean, he had surgery on his knee. So we have to remember that and manage him.”

Butker had successful knee surgery last month and is returning to playing shape for the postseason. The Chiefs hope he will bring the consistency and strong leg that have helped them capture three Super Bowl titles.

Chiefs’ special teams unit adjusts to their third kicker this season: ‘It’s an adventure’

Kansas City #Chiefs’ special teams unit adjusts to their third kicker this season: ‘It’s an adventure’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ injuries continue to pile up in 2024, with another week of scrambling to replace another injured kicker. Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub explained the challenge of adjusting to new kickers during a press conference earlier in the week.

“It’s been – it’s an adventure, really. I mean, a lot of credit goes to our long snapper (James Winchester) and our holder, Matt Araiza,” said Toub. “Getting those guys and spending the time and figuring them out exactly how he wants – how the kicker wants the holds because it’s different for each kicker. He’s done a really good job with that. It says a lot about them and their professionalism.”

On Black Friday, Wright stepped in for Spencer Shrader against the Las Vegas Raiders. Shrader had recently been placed on injured reserve alongside Butker. He connected on four of five field goal attempts, with the only miss being well over 50 yards. The adjustments on special teams to accommodate were challenging, especially for inexperienced holder Matt Ariaza.

“He’s (Matt Araiza) a quick learner,” said Toub. “(Harrison) Butker really trained him well and he’s able to take these guys and just adjust. He’s just a good football player – and a good tackler too (laughter).”

After playing two games with them in the 2022 season, Wright played his first game back with the Chiefs in Week 13. He tied a single-game career-high with four made field goals.

Chiefs Dave Toub discusses Matt Araiza’s physicality: ‘He doesn’t have to make a tackle’

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub discusses Matt Araiza’s physicality: ‘He doesn’t have to make a tackle’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have had plenty of unsung heroes this season, including standouts on special teams. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke to the media on Thursday about the physical tackles from his punter Matt Araiza during last Friday’s game.

“We talked about this before,” said Toub. “I don’t want him down there making tackles. I’d rather have him make a big play with his leg and punt the ball high enough to where he doesn’t have to make a tackle.”

Araiza has been one of the better punters in the league in his first season with the Chiefs. The six-foot-one, 200-pound San Diego, California native isn’t afraid to make a play, collecting impressive tackles in Week 13.

“He’s a football player in his mind, and he’s going to get down there and do what he has to do. If he needs to make the tackle, he will. I mean, we know that.” said Toub. “So, I don’t want to take that edge away from him. But you know, at the same time, we got to be smart about it, too.”

According to a recent X post from teammate Drue Tranquill, the former Ray Guy Award winner could play linebacker.

Chiefs Dave Toub shares his reason for signing rookie K Spencer Shrader: ‘He was our number one guy’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub shares his reason for signing rookie kicker Spencer Shrader: ‘He was our number one guy’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs were in scramble mode last week ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Harrison Butker’s injury and immediate placement on injured reserve led to the signing of rookie Spencer Shrader, as special teams coordinator Dave Toub explained the decision to reporters on Thursday.

“Every year, we rate all the kickers coming out. A lot like (Harrison) Butker, he (Spencer Shrader) was our number one guy coming out; we had him number one on our list,” said Toub. “He was a guy obviously we targeted, we looked at, and we liked him early, and then he was on the practice squad, so we took a shot and got him. We’re happy we got him. He’s got a strong leg. We haven’t seen a lot of him but in practice, he’s looked really good.”

Shrader is on his third team since going undrafted in April. He filled in for the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets before being signed off their practice squad last week. He didn’t have a field goal attempt with the Chiefs in Week 11 but did connect on his extra-point attempts.

Broncos ST coach Ben Kotwica thankful for Mike Westhoff’s mentorship

“He’s been a mentor, but most importantly he’s been a friend,” Broncos special teams coach Ben Kotwica said of retiring coach Mike Westhoff.

Finally, 76-year-old Mike Westhoff gets to actually retire. And there’s no talking him out of it this time.

After coaching New York Jets special teams units from 2001-2012, Westhoff stepped down from coaching in 2013. Four years later, Sean Payton convinced Westhoff to unretire midway through the 2017 season to help the New Orleans Saints get their special teams turned around.

After one more season in New Orleans, Westhoff retired a second time. Five years later, Payton came calling again and Westhoff joined the Denver Broncos as an assistant head coach in 2023.

Westhoff was set to retire again following last season, but Payton had team owner Greg Penner talk the coach into returning for the 2024 season. Now, midway through the season, Westhoff is retiring again, this time due to health concerns.

Ben Kotwica, Denver’s special teams coordinator who previously overlapped with Westhoff with the Jets from 2007-2012, spoke about his mentor’s retirement following Thursday’s practice.

“When I ended up getting into the league, Mike and I worked together back in the day with the Jets back in 2007. To get back together here over the last couple years and help shape this unit — which arguably is one of the top ten in the year — [has] really been rewarding and special.

“He’s been a mentor, but most importantly he’s been a friend. So I’m very grateful for time — we’ll obviously stay connected moving forward, but I just wanted to thank him for everything that he’s given me.”

The Broncos now have two dedicated special teams coaches remaining on staff in Kotwica and assistant Chris Banjo. Westhoff can now enjoy retirement — more than a decade after initially stepping away from football in 2013.

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Chiefs Dave Toub receives praise for execution of game-winning field goal block

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams Dave Toub receives praise for execution of game-winning field goal block | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off an incredible victory last Sunday over the Denver Broncos due to a blocked potential game-winning field goal in regulation. Head coach Andy Reid spoke highly of the team’s play execution, led by special teams coordinator Dave Toub, during his weekly Zoom press conference on Monday.

“Yeah, I mean, the details of it become important. The players want that. They want you to detail it up for them.” said Reid. “It helps them even more to show what their talents are, and as a result, hopefully, you win a game or two. So Dave (Toub) spends a lot of time on that, right there. You guys watch all that. So you know there’s an emphasis on special teams and the details of it. So we needed it yesterday; that was a big play for us.”

Leo Chenal got his palm on the football as Will Lutz kicked it for the potential game-winner. The interior rush, mixed with pressure from Justin Reid on the outside, was flawlessly done, leading to a walk-off that went in Kansas City’s favor at Arrowhead Stadium. Chenal is the second player in the past 10 seasons to block a field goal on the final play to win, joining Payton Turner with the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2022.

Chiefs Dave Toub says Harrison Butker can attempt 68-yard field goals: ‘He’ll get that chance’

Kansas City #Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub says Harrison Butker can attempt 68-yard field goals: ‘He’ll get that chance’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ victory last Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals featured many memorable moments, including another famous kick from Harrison Butker that almost happened.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub revealed that Mahomes doesn’t need to get to the 50-yard line. From what Toub sees in practice, he could be much farther out.

“In a vacuum, he could probably hit, I’d say, a 68-yarder, with a little bit of wind, he could probably bang. I’ve seen him do it 73 yards,” said Toub. “I have seen him do it. So that kick was very makeable because we had the wind at our back, and he and he hit a, I think he hit a 66 in pregame, and then we tried a 73, and he just kind of barely, it was plenty leg. The leg was strong enough, but there was just a little bit left. In the right conditions with the time, right.”

Butker’s career-long field goal in the regular season is 62 yards, which he connected in 2022. He already holds the record for the longest-made field goal in a Super Bowl with 57 yards at Super Bowl LVIII.

“If we ran a little bit more time off the clock there if it was 10 seconds or so, you take a shot at it; we’ll get that option. You know, we’re going to get that chance. I mean, he was disappointed. You see him, he was disappointed we took him off. He really thought we were going. I did, too. I really did. But then he was right. That was a smart decision by Coach (Andy) Reid.”

Butker’s range is respected around the league, and he consistently seeks to show off his leg and conquer some league records.

Chiefs Dave Toub reveals update on Louis Rees-Zammit’s status vs. Lions: ‘He might not be available’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub reveals update on Louis Rees-Zammit’s status vs. Lions: ‘He might not be available’ | @EdEastonJr

The final days of training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs have coaches detailing their final messages ahead of the remaining preseason games, which will lead to final roster decisions.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters on Wednesday after practice about the plans for kick returns heading into the second preseason game and the revelation about a player potentially out.

“We just need to get more reps out there and make sure that it’s clear what the rules are; obviously, we made a mistake in the game,” said Toub. “End up costing us, but it’s a great learning experience for us.”

Toub understood the mistake from last Saturday’s game and is focused on working with the same group of returners for this weekend against the Detroit Lions. He revealed that he may not have the services of one of his players, with rookie Louis Rees-Zammit not practicing on Wednesday.

“Same guys that you saw. We didn’t get a lot (of kick returns), but there were a lot of touchbacks. So I still want to see other guys. I want to see Rees (Louis Rees-Zammit), but he didn’t practice today.” said Toub. “He might not be available. We’ll see, but I still want to see…there’s a lot of guys I want to see. We got time to do that.”

The Chiefs haven’t officially announced the status of Rees-Zammit, so it will be another thing to look out for as camp wraps up on Thursday.

Chiefs Dave Toub explains the decision to name Matt Araiza the starting punter

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub explains the decision to name Matt Araiza the starting punter | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs moved on from punter Tommy Townsend this offseason as he signed with the Houston Texans. They signed two punters but decided not to have a competition carry into training camp.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters after Saturday’s practice, addressing the early decision to name Matt Araiza the starting punter before training camp.

“Both of those guys did a great job. Ryan Rehkow did a great job, the kid from BYU we had. It was a tough decision,” said Toub. It wasn’t really cut and dry, but in the end, Matt (Araiza) was a little more consistent day to day. Being a lefty punter, a little bit older, I think we made that choice to go with it. I didn’t want to go into this camp with two guys.”

Toub and the coaching staff wanted the punter competition settled before the start of training camp. The goal is to build reps and chemistry with kicker Harrison Butker, as the punter also serves as the primary holder during the season.

“Returners don’t normally see (lefty punters). Now everybody has a jug machine that’s able to turn into a lefty punt, but you just don’t see a lot of lefty punters in the league,” said Toub. “They don’t catch them a lot, mostly righties.”

Araiza has plenty of potential as a former All-American in college and the Ray Guy Award winner as the nation’s best collegiate punter in 2021. He was initially drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2022.