This is the ninth and final installment in a position-by-position series evaluating the Green Bay Packers needs entering the 2011 draft.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Need level: Moderate to high

On the roster: P Tim Masthay, LS Brett Goode, KOR Sam Shields, KOR James Starks, KOR Jordy Nelson, PR Tramon Williams

Free agents: K Mason Crosby.

Outlook: Theres a pretty good chance that Crosby will re-sign with the Packers. His value to other teams probably isnt that great because of his lack of game-winning kicks and inconsistency from 50 yards and out. He has the leg strength to kick the ball deep into the end zone from the 35 and the technique to pop it up. Masthay rewarded the Packers for their commitment to him with a really good season. Goode can stay as long as he likes hes that consistent. Acquiring a returner should be a priority because the Packers ranked 26th in kick return average and 22nd in punt return average.

Eye-opening stat: The Packers havent returned a kickoff for a touchdown since the 2000 season when Allen Rossum went 92 yards against Indianapolis.

Whats available: There are any number of quality returners in this draft from Kentuckys Randall Cobb to Troys Jerrel Jerrigan to Boise States Titus Young to Mississippi States Leon Berry. There may be a few guys GM Ted Thompson would take solely as return specialists, but dont count on it. There are a handful of kickers worth taking in the draft, including Nebraskas Alex Henery, UCLAs Kai Forbath and LSUs Josh Jasper, but all but Henery come from warm-weather schools.

Bottom line: Thompson has to address the return position or risk it being an Achilles heel during the defense of the Super Bowl championship. But given his history, hes not going to take a guy who he thinks can only return kicks or punts. Thats why he hasnt ever gone for any short speedsters. As for kicker, he has to take someone late or sign a free agent just to protect himself in case Crosby leaves.

Packers by position: Specialists by Rob Demovsky 

Once again this April, the Press-Gazette will provide a pre-draft breakdown of the Packers roster at each position by beat writer Rob Demovsky. This will lead up to the start of Pete Doughertys annual position-by-position draft series, which begins tomorrow.
Specialists

What they have

Kicker: Mason Crosby*

Punter: Tim Masthay

Long snapper: Brett Goode

Kick returner: Jordy Nelson, Sam Shields, James Starks

Punt returner: Tramon Williams

* Could be an unrestricted free agent depending on new CBA rules

Position analysis

The Packers have three keepers in Crosby, Masthay and Goode. Crosby was tendered as a restricted free agent but could become unrestricted depending on the new CBA. Either way, he wants to come back and the Packers almost certainly will bring him back. Theyd like to see his accuracy (78.5 percent in 2010) improve, but four of his six misses were from 40-plus yards, including a pair from 50-plus. One would have been a game winner from 53 at Washington in Week 5. He needs to make those kicks. He had a career-low four touchbacks last season after having 43 in his first three seasons combined, but his leg strength isnt an issue. In Masthay, the Packers believe theyve finally found their permanent punter. His net average of 37.6 was only 17th in the NFL, but that doesnt accurately describe his effectiveness. He basically won the Jets game and the Bears game at Lambeau with exceptional hang time and direction. He appears to be the best punting prospect the Packers have had since Craig Hentrich in the 1990s. Goode is as solid as they come and covers punts well, too. None of the returners had exceptional seasons. Shields is probably the best prospect on the roster because of his pure speed.

The future

A dynamic return man is one of the Packers biggest needs, but GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy have refused to add a returner who also cant help them on the 45-man roster at another position, be it cornerback, running back or receiver. If the Packers add any kickers it would be merely for a training camp leg to take some of the workload off Crosby and Masthay

Starks was intentionally getting tackled at the 20 every time. Starks and Rodgers agreed that they both wanted more offensive stats. He could have returned it for TDs if he wanted to. It's all about the stats, man.

On a serious note, I'd like to see a CB/KR or WR/KR drafted. But I don't think it's a Ted/Mike priority. If one falls to us, we'll take him but it's never been one of their priorities.

"zombieslayer" wrote: