Especially challenging

Patriots, O'Brien have work cut out

May 24, 2009|Christopher L. Gasper, Globe Staff

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Half of Eric Metcalf's NFL-record 10 career punt-return TDs came under O'Brien's watch in Cleveland, and in his first season in Denver, O'Brien coaxed the Broncos to their first punt-return score in four years.

That could be good news for the Patriots, who haven't had a punt returned for a touchdown since 2001.

However, O'Brien's teams struggled on coverage in Denver. In 2007, his team was 26th in punt coverage and 19th in kickoff coverage, allowing two punt-return touchdowns and one kickoff TD. Last season, Denver ranked 28th in both categories and gave up both a punt-return and kickoff-return touchdown.

Last season, the Patriots were second to last in the NFL in punt coverage and 10th in kickoff coverage, but they surrendered a pair of kickoff-return scores.

"Our No. 1 responsibility in the kicking game is to control vertical field position," said O'Brien. "That's what players work hard for, and we work hard to put them in the right place to do that, and any time there is a breakdown . . . it's disappointing."

Those who have worked with O'Brien before say this is one special teams turnover that won't cost the Patriots.

"They've had very good special teams here, too," said Ciurciu. "I think he's just going to bring some more experience, a little bit of a twist on the game, because he's been around, and he knows a lot of different little things. Just his experience and knowledge of the game is going to help us."

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.