Tag: special teams

Chris Boswell discusses confident kicking with Ben Roethlisberger

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell discussed his growth and confidence as a kicker on Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast, sharing insights from his career.

Chris Boswell, AKA the Wizard of Boz, is regarded as one of the greatest kickers the NFL has ever seen. While Boswell is seemingly automatic and comfortable attempting any kick from any distance, it wasn’t always this way for the Pittsburgh Steelers star.

Making an appearance on the latest episode of Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, co-host Spencer Te’o asked Boswell when kicking became automatic.

Boswell humbly stated, “I think, you know, the more years I put into it, kinda, the more confidence I put in myself in that situation. It definitely didn’t start like that. I definitely worried about holds, worried about snaps, worried about wind, stuff like that. And then I’ve just gotten to the point where I don’t even think about anything anymore.”

While Boswell’s hard work and dedication speak for themselves, Big Ben added that Boswell always holds himself accountable, stating, “I’ve never heard this guy make an excuse.”

Throughout his storied career in Pittsburgh, Boswell’s performance has made him a fan favorite in the Steel City, and his wise words on growth and confidence speak volumes about his character as a whole.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton ‘felt sick’ watching film of blocked field goal

“I felt sick watching it,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the blocked field goal. “I felt like, ‘Hey that’s on us [coaches].’”

After the Kansas City Chiefs broke through Alex Forsyth’s protection to block a field goal and beat the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the offensive lineman faced intense criticism from both fans and pundits.

Broncos coach Sean Payton came to Forsyth’s defense by saying the block was on the coaching staff, not a single player. Denver quarterback Bo Nix also gave a passionate response to the Forsyth backlash on Wednesday, and other teammates (and even ex-Broncos) have had the lineman’s back.

Payton reiterated on Wednesday that it was primarily a coaching mistake.

“I think it’s just — I felt sick watching it,” Payton said. “I felt like, ‘Hey that’s on us.’ In other words, technique and then also, “Are we asking the right players to do the right things?’ [Offensive line coach] Zach Strief played forever in that position and he’s someone after watching it — every one of us felt as coaches that we let the players down and we needed to see that and correct that. That’s difficult when that happens. You as a coach … that’s how we felt.”

Forsyth and Denver’s field goal unit will look to play a clean game when the Broncos host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11. There’s no doubt that all eyes will be on Forsyth the next time Denver lines up to attempt a field goal.

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Chiefs LB Leo Chenal earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after blocked FG vs. Broncos

#Chiefs LB Leo Chenal earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his legendary field goal block against the #Broncos.

The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly escaped Week 10 with their undefeated season intact, due in no small part to the efforts of linebacker Leo Chenal, who blocked a Denver Broncos field goal attempt as time expired in the fourth quarter.

For his efforts against Denver, Chenal earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, an accomplishment he is sure to cherish as the Chiefs make their bid for a third consecutive Super Bowl title this season.

In addition to his blocked field goal, Chenal combined for four tackles against the Broncos, which helped lift Kansas City to victory on Sunday.

 

Though Chenal’s role in the Chiefs’ defense supersedes the contributions he makes on special teams, his outstanding effort against Denver wasn’t the first time that the budding young linebacker has made his presence felt against an opposing kicker.

In Super Bowl LVIII earlier this year, Chenal blocked a field goal that helped earn Kansas City its third championship of the Patrick Mahomes era.

Mike Westhoff releases statement after stepping away from Broncos

“I want to thank everyone for the well wishes,” Mike Westhoff said after stepping down from his Broncos role. “I want to assure you I’m ok.”

News broke on Tuesday evening that Denver Broncos assistant head coach Mike Westhoff is stepping down from his position with the team to focus on his health. One day later, Westhoff released a statement on his official Twitter/X page.

“I want to thank everyone for the well wishes,” Westhoff tweeted on Wednesday. “I want to assure you I’m ok, my body gave me a warning this week and I had to listen and put my health first. #BroncosCountry is amazing..thank you!”

Westhoff, 76, experienced vision problems last week and decided to step away from football after undergoing testing this week. He is now back home in Florida.

Broncos coach Sean Payton convinced Westhoff to unretire and join Denver’s staff in 2023. Westhoff helped oversee the club’s special teams units alongside coordinator Ben Kotwica and assistant Chris Banjo. The Broncos’ special teams units ranked seventh in the NFL in 2023, a massive improvement from their 25th overall ranking in 2022.

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Broncos assistant head coach Mike Westhoff steps down with health concerns

“It’s not easy to make this decision, but this was a wake-up call that I needed to put my health first,” Mike Westhoff said.

Denver Broncos assistant head coach Mike Westhoff has stepped down from his role with the team due to health concerns, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported on Tuesday evening.

Westhoff, 76, experienced vision problems last week and after undergoing testing on Monday, he has decided to step away from the team and return to his home in Florida.

“It’s not easy to make this decision, but this was a wake-up call that I needed to put my health first,” Westhoff said, via NFL Network. “This team is very much headed in the right direction with a strong foundation and a winning culture. I’m grateful to Sean for giving me the opportunity to contribute to a first-class organization and wish the Broncos the very best.”

Westhoff previously coached under Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints from 2017-2018. Five years after Westhoff retired from coaching, Payton convinced him to unretire and join the Broncos in 2023 as an assistant head coach. Westhoff helped oversee the team’s special teams units over the last season and a half. He will now step aside to focus on his health.

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Mike Tomlin highlights what led to fake-punt decision in Week 10

Mike Tomlin shed additional light on the decision to call the fake-punt against the Washington Commanders in Week 10.

While taking risks on special teams has paid off for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the past, the team hit a snag in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders. A failed fake punt nearly cost them the game, leading to plenty of questions for Head Coach Mike Tomlin.

In Monday’s press conference leading up to the Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Tomlin explained what prompted the decision to attempt a fake punt in Washington: “We’re just not gonna allow people to do unorthodox and potentially unsound things against us. I’m not gonna allow people to over-stress our punt protection unit by leaving people uncovered when we have people capable of throwing and catching the football.”

Interestingly enough, though the play didn’t work as intended, Tomlin added that these special teams plays are a focus in 2024, and as routine as offensive or defensive calls.

Can fans of the Black and Gold expect more trick plays moving forward, or will Tomlin be forced to dial it back after the failed Week 10 attempt?

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Mike Tomlin hilariously shrugs off risky play-calling inquiry

Mike Tomlin had an interesting response when asked if offensive success contributes to riskier play calls on defense and special teams.

Taking risks, making bold moves, and securing victories any way they come are just a few aspects of Mike Tomlin’s high-level coaching that benefit the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout their Week 10 contest against the Washington Commanders, the Steelers executed a variety of risky play calls across all three phases of the game—some of which succeeded, while others fell short.

During Monday’s press conference, when asked if Russell Wilson and his dynamic deep-threat ability affect riskier decision-making, Tomlin responded with a smirk: ‘No, we’re gonna take risks on defense and special teams anyway.’

While fans may argue against the destructive potential of relying on risk over strategy, Tomlin has managed to balance this razor-thin line, combining both elements when calling plays and securing critical victories in 2024 as a result.

The Steelers may need to once again lean on Tomlin’s willingness to take risks as they face a pivotal Week 11 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on November 17th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Huge special teams mistake cost Steelers 7 points

Steelers’ fake punt misfire led to a Commanders TD, shifting momentum to Washington in their toughest game of the 2024 season.

It is safe to say Steelers’ CB James Pierre may be getting the cold shoulder from the Steel City, following what appeared to be a beautifully designed fake-punt call by Pittsburgh’s special teams coach Danny Smith—only for Pierre to drop the pass from special teams ace Miles Killebrew.

On fourth down, deep within the Steelers’ own 20-yard line, the shocking 18-yard pass from Killebrew seemed to catch Washington’s special teams unit off guard, and would have given Pittsburgh a crucial first down. However, due to Pierre’s botched execution, the Commanders took over in the red zone on downs.

A handful of plays later, this decision on special teams ultimately gifted Commanders RB Austin Ekeler a one-yard rushing touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 and shifting momentum away from Pittsburgh.

The special teams unit eventually rebounded in a big way, recovering a fumble off a muffed punt in the second quarter, immediately granting red-zone positioning to the Steelers offense.

Pittsburgh will need all three facets of their game to be near-perfect, as the 7-2 Commanders are their toughest opponent of the 2024 season so far.

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Chiefs Dave Toub sees potential in a recently elevated tight end: ‘A three-phase player for us’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub sees potential in tight end Peyton Hendershot: ‘A three-phase player for us’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ special teams unit has played well this season, as players rotate often due to injury and needs in the offensive and defensive gameplans. Coordinator Dave Toub is proud of his group but acknowledged the work and potential of former practice squad tight end Peyton Hendershot.

“Yeah, he (Peyton Hendershot) was a good player in Dallas. I talked to (Cowboys Special Teams Coordinator John) Fassel down there, and he called me immediately as soon as we traded for him, and he said, ‘You got my guy.’ He does a good job.” said Toub. “He can run and does a good job; he’s real physical. He understands, has good instincts, and helped us in that game. He was able to step in on a short – you know, obviously, when he (Jared Wiley) got hurt – he got (called up)on short notice and was able to be a three-phase player for us in that game, so it helped.”

Hendershot made his season debut for the Chiefs in last Monday’s overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He will likely play prominently on special teams, but, as Toub said, he should see time on offense filling in for injured tight ends Jody Fortson and Jared Wiley. He had 15 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown during his career with the Dallas Cowboys.

Saints will add a new coach to their staff after promoting Darren Rizzi

Darren Rizzi announced the Saints are bringing in a new assistant coach. With his attention divided, Marwan Maalouf will assist with special teams operations:

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi announced the team is bringing in a new assistant coach. Marwan Maalouf will assist Phil Galiano in their special teams operations. Rizzi spoke on WWL Radio Monday afternoon to announce the hiring, which came mere hours after his promotion.

Galiano will likely take on many of the duties on special teams coordinating for the Saints, as he has been the assistant coach for them since 2019. However, adding in an additional coach to help out and let Rizzi build out his own staff a little bit is not a bad idea. Rizzi and Maalouf worked together in multiple instances including from 2013 to 2018 with the Miami Dolphins, and 2002 to 2003 at Rutgers.

They are now reunited after a few years away with Rizzi moving on to New Orleans, while Maalouf went on to be the special teams coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings from 2019 to 2020.

Ultimately, who knows if the Saints keep Rizzi or not after the season, but letting him make additions of his own and give himself a chance to prove himself is definitely a good choice. We will see how the special teams units look with Rizzi taking on a much larger role now at interim head coach.

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