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Broncos Preseason: Joe DeCamillis Evaluates Special Teams

By Tylor Walden

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos special teams was not at its best on Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, and Joe DeCamillis had some words for the unit at Wednesday’s media session.

When the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl last year, the special teams had their moments. Perhaps the biggest Bronco on special teams was Brandon McManus.

However, the team did have some moments, which includes an Omar Bolden punt return against the Indianapolis Colts and Jordan Norwood’s Super Bowl record return against the Carolina Panthers.

The biggest thing that Special Teams Coordinator Joe DeCamillis wants to see in his unit this preseason is the kick return game. Of course the holding on a field goal and the blocking during a punt or kickoff is big as well.

https://twitter.com/BroncosTV/status/768584193895006209

And let us just say that DeCamillis was not happy with the team’s performance on Saturday. However, he was impressed with a few players who have played a part in special teams.

When asked about the return game’s performance last Saturday, Joe DeCamillis did not hold anything back.

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“Not solid. Good way to put it-not solid. I’m disappointed in the way we blocked. I thought that no matter who you put back there, we didn’t open anything for them. I’m not happy in the way we went.”

I can understand his frustration. The return game has a solid return once in a blue moon. Other than the two returns that I mentioned above from last season, the Broncos return game is not exactly threatening to other teams.

I remember when Trindon Holliday was returning the kicks and punts, he looked like Devin Hester on that field. Hopefully somewhere down the road, the Denver Broncos will get a player like him again.

And we can all finally put behind our speculation on why the players keep returning the kicks out of the end zone. Because it is what Joe DeCamillis wanted.

“I want to get that straight because I tell them to bring it out-from [Head Coach Gary] Kubiak because we have to evaluate guys. You can’t evaluate guys on touchbacks. It is as simple as that. We want to see guys block, we want to see guys tackle, and we want to see what we want to see.”

Good points DeCamillis. Touchbacks are not going to help get the job done. Plus, for me as a fan, I want to see what the Denver Broncos can do on the return game whether they have the ball or not.

Joe DeCamillis has praised the work of Andy Janovich and likes where he is at in this stage of the preseason. He has also talked to Brandon McManus and got his takes on the holding of the field goals.

Hopefully, the Denver Broncos special teams gets something going in the next two games. It would be nice to see some production from the return game as well in 2016.

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