League's best is now available for hire. Matt Bowen
Do you need a special teams coach in your city?
If so, and if you are in the market for the best in the business, then you need to give Bobby April a call.
April, who has just opted out of his contract in Buffalo, is essentially a free agent when it comes to coaching. And having been in two cities with him during my own career, I can attest that there isn’t anyone quite like him when it comes to coaching a special teams unit.
Special teams can sometimes be a hard sell when it comes to professional athletes at the NFL level, because we know that it equates to a core group of guys who usually aren’t starters on offense or defense. In saying this, it is the job of the special teams coach to get the backups to buy into the idea that special teams is glamorous — despite the grunt work that comes along with it.
I was one of those guys for Bobby in St. Louis early in my career and in my last season as a pro when April was on Dick Jauron’s staff in Buffalo. And, what I think separates April over others in the business is his teaching ability in both the meeting room and out on the field. He is unconventional, he uses props (broom sticks and the likes) and he sells to his players that running down on kickoffs into a wedge is glorious and courageous.
Now, most special teams coaches in the NFL use comparisons to instill that sense of courage when you take on two 300-pound offensive linemen holding hands in a wedge formation on kickoffs. For April, it was always boxing — championship boxing — and the military. Our units in Buffalo were broken down by military names, such as the Seals and the Rangers — and everyone had a role.
Plus, he is fun to play for and — like all good coaches at the NFL level — you want to impress him. You want to come to the sideline after making a big play in the kicking game and get the pat on the back from a coach like April. You want to be successful under his coaching.
And, as we will see come this weekend when the playoff action starts up, the kicking game is big — and can win or lose games in January.
So, if you are in need of some special teams help, it would be wise to make Bobby April an offer, because like any popular gift during the holidays, he won’t be available for long.
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Agreed, Great Article. The special teams in Buffalo were extremely consistent with April coaching. I imagine this is extremely rare and definitely can be attributed to the great coaching as there is such high turnover in the special teamers each year. Could you see him ending up in Pittsburgh considering how many returns they gave up this year and its location relative to Buffalo?
Matt:
How about some specific stories about April and what actually happened during some games?
Not familiar with April but Joe DeCamillis should be Special Teams coach of the year. His motivation may be the biggest factor in the Cowboys beating the Saints a couple of weeks ago. After the game both offensive and defensive starters were talking about it without being asked.
So what's the deal with the typo? The header of the page says "speial" and the title of the article says "speical"
Cool post.... Wouldn't mine seeing the Pack make that phone call
So what's the deal with the typo? The header of the page says "speial" and the title of the article says "speical"
We could definitely use a Bobby April in Green Bay. Every year Rick Gosselin from the Dallas Morning News rates the Special Teams throughout the league, and every year we finish last (2005, 2006) or near the bottom (26th last year). Won't be surprised if we finish last again this year, just hope they don't cost us in the playoffs.
Right you are Sean
Holding penalties on kickoffs and punt returns.
Will Blackmon or Jordy Nelson vs Hester/Manning or Harvin
Mason Crosby inconsistencies
The year the Packers won in 1996, they were at or near the top in special teams (Desmond Howard and Travis Jervey). April has been available a couple of times and the Packers didn't
go for him. Do it now, despite the playoffs
Matt:
What no comment on your Hawks ASS wiping of GT last night?? Pushing the Big Ten to 4-3 in Bowls!! Between the Badgers and Hawks ACC thumping can we now hear, for the next yesr, how WEAK the ACC is in football???
I hope not to see him in Pittsburgh (Fox's comment). He already did a stint as the Steelers' special teams coach and they were bad when he was there. Yes, they were terrible this year and a change is needed, but bringing back April is not the way to improve things. that would be akin to making Ron Earhardt or Joe Walton the offensive coordinator again. Once was enough.
"Seals" were your gunners?
three of bobby's daughters live in the new orleans area and he is originally from there...he should end up there if sean payton was smart. the saints could use him.
Bobby April is an asset, I am sure. I just saw him on TV.......I used to babysit little Bobby and April back in Tucson, AZ when they lived on Camino del Rio. Bobby and Charlene were wonderful to me back then, and I would love the opportunity to talk to them, don't know how to get in touch, so I'm hoping someone on here reads this and gets the message to them.
greeniyz27@comcast.net
Jan 05, 2010
03:50 PM
Agreed, Great Article. The special teams in Buffalo were extremely consistent with April coaching. I imagine this is extremely rare and definitely can be attributed to the great coaching as there is such high turnover in the special teamers each year. Could you see him ending up in Pittsburgh considering how many returns they gave up this year and its location relative to Buffalo?