A closer look at Browns special teams coordinator, Brad Seely

[DTBH]

http://www.examiner.com/x-1287-Cleveland-S...ator-Brad-Seely

 

Special teams aren’t the glamorous units that get all the attention from NFL fans like offenses or defenses. However, special teams can be, and usually are, the reason teams win or lose. But, great special teams can help you make the playoffs or even win Super Bowls. Just ask the New England Patriots, led by Bill Belichick, who put as much emphasis and practice time on special teams as any other part of their squad.

 

Brad Seely has been the Patriots’ special teams coach for the last ten years (1999-2008) and was there even before Bill Belichick arrived in 2000. He realized what an excellent special teams coach the Patriots had with Seely. When Belichick followed Pete Carroll as head coach, Seely was one of the few coaches that Belichick retained.

 

Seely, 52, who was born in Vinton, Iowa, started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at South Dakota State where he was an All-Conference offensive lineman. Seely spent eleven years as an offensive line coach with various schools, including Colorado State, SMU, N.C. State, Pacific, and Oklahoma State.

 

At SMU, Seely’s Mustang offensive line was responsible for the tremendous success of Eric Dickerson and Craig James- a duo that became known as the “Pony Express.” Seely’s offensive line at Oklahoma State opened holes for 1988 Heisman Trophy winner, Barry Sanders.

 

In 1989, Seely landed the special teams and tight ends coaching positions with the Indianapolis Colts, where he stayed until 1993. Stints with the New York Jets (1994) and the Carolina Panthers (1995-1998) as a special teams coordinator followed before hooking up with the New England Patriots in 1999 where he stayed until Eric Mangini coaxed him to come to Cleveland as the Browns special teams coach.

 

While in Carolina, Seely was named the NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year in 1996. That year the Panthers’ kicker, John Kasay, set a NFL record with 37 successful field goals. The Panthers also led the NFL by holding opponents to a 5.4 average on punt returns.

 

Seely’s special teams perform at a high level whether returning kicks, covering kicks, or sending out their field goal units. In 2001, the Patriots were first in opponents’ gross punt average (39.5), net punt return average (31.6), and allowed only 4.8 yards per return to rank second in the NFL.

 

His special teams have produced numerous Pro Bowl kickers and kick returners throughout his career. Among those was Michael Bates (Carolina), who led the NFL in kick return average in back-to-back years (1996-97), which had not happened since 1962. Other prolific special team players coached by Seely have been Kasay (K), Rohn Stark (P), Troy Brown (PR), Adam Vinatieri (K), Stephen Gostkowski (K), Laurence Maroney (KR), and Larry Izzo.

 

Josh Cribbs, who has already been to the Pro Bowl, should put a smile on Seely’s face. With Seely’s guidance, Cribbs should get even more holes to run through on kick and punt returns next year.

 

The Browns are very fortunate to have Seely’s NFL experience as a special teams coach. Seely’s squads have performed at superior levels for the 20 years he has been in the league.

 

Browns special teams will show the quickest, greatest level of improvement as soon as the 2009 season starts next September.

 

 

I thought Daisher was one of the best ST coaching in the NFL, but this guy has a pretty hefty resume.

[Guest Masters]

I thought Daisher was one of the best ST coaching in the NFL, but this guy has a pretty hefty resume.

 

Actually Jerry Rosburg, who CLE had before Daisher, was viewed as a better ST coach than Daisher, and one of the best in the league.