Excited about Special Teams . . .

Dave Toub has us excited about special teams again. Since the appointment of Toub in early 2013 the Chiefs special teams have scored 49 points (excluding field goals). That means that the Chiefs have scored a momentum swinging score every 4.72 games.

Football is often described as a violent chess game and nothing demonstrates this better than the return game. You stick your pawns out in front whilst the queen moves freely. I just want to clarify I am not calling fully grown NFL players queens, because that would be stupid and I like to think that I have half a brain cell.

It's the setting of the pawns that Toub is the master of. Everyone man that steps on the field to play special teams for the Chiefs know they have a job to do. Every man has his assignment. Stick to it and then you could be celebrating with the returner in a few short moments.

Because of this new found enthusiasm for special teams returner's have excelled in Toub's system. Dexter McCluster(2), Knile Davis(2), Quentin Demps and D'Anthony Thomas have all

scored return touchdowns for the Chiefs in the last 2 seasons. It doesn't matter what piece is used for the final attack. All will gain decent yardage. More often than not the worst case scenario is great field position for Alex & co to go to work.

As we know special teams aren't all about returning and scoring. Unfortunatley we have to give the ball back to the opposition from time to time. If the return units was our Queen in this chess game then the punting unit would be our king.

One constant for the Chiefs has been Dustin Colquitt. Immediately recognised as a vital part of our special teams unit by Toub and Reid, the soon to be free agent was signed to a multi year contract shortly after thier arrival in 2013. In the territorial part of this violent chess game Dustin has been one of the main reason the Chiefs have been winning. In the 2013 season Dustin ranked joint 1st in punts downed in the 20 (35) and 4th in return yards (6.5). Whilst in 2014 Dustin ranked 4th in the league in punts downed inside the 20 (31) and 6th in return yards (6.6). A special 'special teamer' indeed.

The success with punts and returns has been reflected in special teams rankings too. In the Sportday's special teams rankings which ranks all teams in the kicking game categories the Chiefs are placed 7th for the 2014 season, slightly down on 2013 when the Chiefs ranked 3rd but way up on 2012 when the Chiefs ranked down in 23rd position.

A kick or punt return for a touchdown is by far and away the most exciting way to score in today's NFLNot since the days of Dante Hall has the Arrowhead faithful been this excited about the territorial part of the game. Normally a time to fetch a drink or nip to the toilet. Not anymore! Punt and kickoff returns are now genuine scoring opportunities.