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Monday, February 7, 2000
Too many
happy returns
The NFC had the upper hand
By Paul Arnett
in special teams, racking
up 331 yards
Star-BulletinIf you were taking a poll on what was the deciding factor in yesterday's 50th Pro Bowl, most of the fans would cast their vote for Randy Moss or blame the six turnovers by the AFC for the NFC's 51-31 victory.
Both are certainly viable candidates. But from a coach's point of view in any all-star game, special teams set the tone.
"First of all, hardly any of these players is on special teams," AFC head coach Tom Coughlin said. "You only have a week to get things in, so big plays are a distinct possibility."
The NFC proved Coughlin prophetic by running up an impressive 331 yards on kickoff and punt returns. Carolina Panther Michael Bates was so confident, he returned kickoffs that were 6 yards deep in the end zone.
"That's something you would never do in the regular season," Tampa Bay head coach Tony Dungy said after the game. "But in a situation like this, the return man has to like his chances."
Bates certainly thought so. He returned four kickoffs for 168 yards. That's a healthy 42 yards a return. His long of 66 yards is a Pro Bowl record for kickoff returns. It also set up a 51-yard field goal by Jason Hanson just before the half.
"You feel like you can make a big play at any time," Bates said. "The one thing these guys do have is speed, so it's tough to take one all the way back. Those alleys close in a hurry."
Bates also set a special teams record for all-time kickoff return yards with 456 in four Pro Bowl appearances dating from 1997-2000.
The NFC's 232 yards on kickoff returns is a team mark, breaking the old record of 215 set by the AFC in 1984. Before going out with a hamstring injury, Chicago's Glyn Milburn contributed to that record. He had two kickoff returns for 64 yards and two punt returns for 53. The NFC and the AFC also combined for 385 yards on kickoff returns. That was a record as well, breaking the old mark of 325 set two years ago.
"As you get more return specialists, I think the numbers will continue to go up, especially at a Pro Bowl," Coughlin said. "There's so much speed in the game today. You have to have guys who can get up in there quick."
There were 15 kickoffs in the game. The average starting position following a kickoff for the NFC was its own 38. The AFC's starting spot was its own 32.
"You can really shorten up the field with a good return," Bates said. "It also helps in the momentum of a game.
"They scored late in the first half, but we kind of got the momentum back on my 66-yard return for that field goal. We just had some really good schemes out there.
"You always hear about how nobody likes to tackle on special teams. Well, most guys don't like to block, either. But my guys did a great job for me. Setting these records and helping our team win is a great way to end the season for me."
