Saying special teams is important is not just a cliché for the Cardinals. Key offensive and defensive pieces play an important role for the unit. Defensive starters like cornerbacks Max Melton and Starling Thomas V are on field-goal block team while every offensive lineman is on the field for Ryland’s field-goal attempts.
“We have guys with good attitudes and good work ethic,” special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said. “They understand that for a guy to go and down a ball inside, that’s a big play.”
“Both offensive players and defensive players that are making an impact on the game that when you watch the tape, it’s like, ‘Holy cow, that was a really good play,'” Gannon said. “‘If you’re a starter on offense and defense, you don’t play special teams.’ That’s not what it is here. We understand the impact that those plays have on a game.”
It’s one of the reasons why Melton was excited when he was drafted by the Cardinals. During his time at Rutgers, Melton was on every special-teams unit. He understood he was being drafted to play cornerback, but being an active participant on special teams would help him get on the field.
“It’s 33 percent of the game,” Melton said. “It’s fun. I’ve been doing it for four years in college, but it’s important to me. If you shank the punt, they get the ball at midfield and the chances of them scoring shoots up. You pin them inside the 15, the percentage shoots down.”
The complimentary football continues to make a difference for the Cardinals. In back-to-back weeks the Cardinals have pinned opposing offenses at the 1- and 5-yard line.
For Gillikin, knowing he has impact players by his side, makes moments like that turn into “pitch and catch with the gunners.”
“To see the commitment (Melton) has towards special teams, it’s exciting for me, because I know I have somebody I can count on,” Gillikin said. “We really emphasize it. Every week, special teams is our first winning edge in team meetings. It’s really at the forefront of everyone’s mind and you’ve seen it in the last couple of weeks. Winning, it’s on a razors edge, so we try to make an impact wherever we can.”
