Dimitroff wants continued special teams growth

Missed in the spotlight of running back Michael Turner and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, was the Falcons specials teams.

Here are some of this season’s highlights:

Enlarge this image

Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Harry Douglas became the Falcons’ punt returner midway through the season.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

THE SERIES

• Part 1: Quarterback/Running back
• Part 2: Tight end/receiver
• Part 3: Offensive line
• Part 4: Special teams
• Part 5: Linebacker
• Part 6: Defensive line
• Part 7: Secondary

RELATED FALCONS LINKS

• Schedule • Beat Blog • Standings
• Pages: Matt Ryan • Michael Turner

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

• Sports TV Listings

• The hang time on Michael Koenen’s punts allowed the coverage unit set a new league mark for fewest punt return yards allowed with 49. The previous mark of 53 yards was set by the Buffalo Bills in 1991

• On 87 kickoffs, the kickoff coverage unit forced teams to start at the 24.6 yard line, fourth best in the league.

• Koenen’s 16 touchbacks was third in the NFC behind Philadelphia’s David Akers and Green Bay’s Mason Crosby with 17 each.

• Place-kicker Jason Elam won two games on the final play. He kicked a 48-yard field goal at the buzzer against Chicago and a 34-yarder with 4:04 left in overtime against Tampa Bay.

• Kickoff returner Jerious Norwood was fifth in the league with the percentage of returns (70.6) that went for 20 yards or more (at least 50 returns).

• Rookie Harry Douglas had four returns of 20 yards or more including a 61-yard touchdown against Carolina.

With their kicking game settled, the Falcons hope some of their draft picks can contribute immediately on special teams.

“We will always look to improve on all levels on this roster,” Dimitroff said.

The Falcons thought so much of Koenen, that they slapped the non-exclusive franchise tag on him Thursday. It’s rare for teams to franchise tag the punter.

But the Falcons decided to pay a premium — $2.48 million — for what Koenen does for field position on punts and kickoffs.

“Michael is a very important cog in this wheel,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “He’s a guy that we want to have around here and continue to help us, so that we can continue to grow in the special teams area.”

A decent average NFL hang time is 4.6 seconds. Koenen is usually at, or over, the five second mark. His punts forced 27 fair catches.

“He’s put us in very favorable positions, many times with our punt return yards being as low as they were,” Dimitroff said.

Adam Jennings opened the season as the Falcons punt return. He took a risk-averse approach to the job which eventually got him waived. After he was indecisive and muffed a crucial punt against Philadelphia, he was released 16 days later.

Rookie Harry Douglas took over the position did a fine job, averaging 11.9 yards on 19 returns. Veteran Brian Finneran was used on punts the Falcons thought could land inside of their 20-yard line.

Norwood ran for more than 1,300 yards on kickoff returns for the second consecutive season, but is still waiting for his first touchdown.

“I think our return guys are very sound,” Dimitroff said. “We like the production we are getting out of those guys. I hope they continue to get better as the games go on and they continue to learn under [special teams coach] Keith Armstrong, who I think does a fantastic job educating these players.”