September 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Joe Adams (15) runs during the kick off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

People often overlook the importance of special teams, but when your offense and defense are sputtering, special teams can make all the difference. Field position, missed points, it all comes from special teams. We Panthers fans know just how true this can be as we’ve watched time and time again as our opponents take off down the sideline for another punt return or kick return TD. Likewise, we haven’t seen those big plays come from our own special teams returners and it often results in poor starting field position, or even turnovers if you’re last name is Edwards or Adams. But if you look at teams like the San Francisco 49ers you’ll see just how big a role special teams plays. Last year the Niners had one of the best punter and kicker combinations in the league which took them to the brink of the Super Bowl, and they seemed to be in control until a costly fumbled punt return gave the ball back to Eli, who did what he does best.

The Panthers have had their share of coverage and return issues and as a result fired Special Teams coordinator Brian Murphy, making way for Coach Rivera’s former team mate at Cal, Richard Rodgers. Rodgers was hired over the past offseason as an assistant to Murphy but with no improvements, changes were necessary. Rodgers looks to keep things simple with a “Controlled. Intense. Aggressive.” approach that should help contain opponents and give our defense a better chance to make stops deep in opponent territory.

In other news, Armanti Edwards’s injury coupled with the loss of Pilares makes room for rookie Joe Adams to make up for lost fumbles earlier in the season. We’ve all seen what Adams can do on returns, just search Joe Adams punt on Youtube and see what he did against Tennessee. That video alone has over 350,000 views (and can be viewed below). We need to control the field position battle much better if we are going to stand a chance while our offense and defense continue to work out their own issues. At least this gives us a fighting chance.

This play was a turning point of sorts for the game; it was still all tied at seven when the play was made, and from there it was an onslaught of points from Manning and the Broncos as they scored the next 29 points and put the Panthers away for good. I’m not saying this could have changed the outcome of the game, but after enduring replacement refs for a couple weeks, we all assume every play should be properly called.

Nov 11, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Trindon Holliday (11) returns a punt for a touchdown in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

There were more repercussions to this play than just bad coverage resulting in six and an eventual blowout; the Panthers decided to part ways with special teams coach Brian Murphy on Monday due to what he called a lack of production and philosophical differences. Assistant Richard Rodgers, who the Panthers hired over the offseason to help Murphy, will be taking his place as the special teams coordinator. Rodgers was a team mate of Coach Rivera back at Cal, and is looking to simplify things and get back to the fundamentals to eliminate all the big plays the Panthers are giving up on special teams coverage.

Oddly enough, this was the second disputed call that the Panthers have been involved in during the last couple weeks. The last one worked in their favor when Deangelo Williams was credited with a 30 yard touchdown although an inadvertent whistle was blown during the play. Like this one, the NFL ruled that the incorrect call was made.