A weekly look at what the San Diego Chargers must fix:
Winning the field-position battle on special teams was a point of emphasis this past offseason for the Chargers and will be an important aspect of the game when the team travels east to face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
The Chargers have one of the best coverage units in the NFL, but for a second consecutive season, they have one of the worst return units in the league. San Diego averages a league-worst 16 yards per kick return. And the Chargers are tied for 20th in the NFL in punt returns, averaging 7.1 yards.
Miami is No. 28 in kickoff coverage, giving up an average of 28.9 yards per return. And the Dolphins are the worst team in the NFL in net punting average (34.3).
The Chargers had an open tryout for the return job during the offseason, including the selection of Baylor speedster Tevin Reese in the seventh round of the draft. But Reese never developed the soft hands needed to make it as a receiver or returner and was released during final roster cuts after training camp.
So the Chargers still have the team’s No. 1 receiver, Keenan Allen, returning punts. And because of injuries at running back, San Diego has used Branden Oliver, Shaun Draughn and Donald Brown at different times this season as kick returners, with little success.
Having the right person back returning kicks and punts remains an issue. The Chargers have not returned a kick or punt for a touchdown since a Micheal Spurlock 99-yard kick return for a score on Dec. 30, 2012, against Oakland. They should consider drafting or signing a player in free agency specifically for that job.
Also, the conservative nature of head coach Mike McCoy plays a role. San Diego has one of the best offenses in the NFL, so McCoy is more concerned with ball security than having someone in the return game who can make an explosive play.
And that’s a fair point. The Chargers have done a good job taking care of the football in the return game, but ultimately San Diego needs more explosive returns to help with field position. A good return could make the difference between winning and losing if the Chargers make the postseason again.
