Time for Stan Kwan to go

He should have been canned long ago.

For having bad players to work with? The Lions barely have a set starting roster. Most of the players playing behind the “starters” play special teams. I have seen Kwan come up with some creative schemes to contain players like Hester and Bush.

Otherwise most of PoD is correct. Blame Stan Kwan for Aaron Brown’s 5 star performance in the return game as well as the brilliant containment and tackling from the Beastly Detroit Lions depth.

Kwan has sucked for years. I was upset that we kept that bum. The only thing that makes him look respectable is that he inherited an awesome kicker and a decent punter, aside from that what has he done? I have more respect for massive dumps I take than I do for Stan KWan.

and he can take Backus with him. On his way out.

Although not politically correct, over the past few years under Kwan’s “guidance”, the Lion’s special teams need to ride the short bus. This is just the latest (and I’m sure not last) game that was truly decided by field position more than anything else in the game.

(From espn.com. 2009 stats don’t yet include today’s game at Chicago)

NFL rank (Average yards gained):

………………….kickoffs……………….punts
2007……………17th (22.6)……………22nd (8.2)
2008……………24th (21.8)……………25th (8.0)
2009……………10th (24.2)…………….4th (16.0)

In 2007, our return yards were below average, but not in the bottom third of the league. In 2008, they were slightly worse than 2007 (24th for ko returns, 25th for punts), which is pretty bad.

So far in 2009, we’re doing pretty well at gaining those yards on special teams, but these stats only reflect three games, so one big return can affect the overall quite a bit.

NFL Rank (Average yards allowed):

………………….kickoffs……………….punts
2007……………26.9 (31st)……………12.1 (30th)
2008……………23.4 (19th)…………….8.1 (11th)
2009……………24.5 (22nd)……………7.2 (13th)

After absolutely awful coverage in 2007 (31st in kickoff return average, 30th in punt return average), the 2008 coverage numbers were a lot better—a little below average in kickoff return coverage, and a little above average in punt coverage. 2009 (not including today) has been similar.

I don’t think it’s time to fire Kwan just yet. I certainly don’t think he’s done well, in fact our coverage overall has been a little below average, but I think if he can improve our special teams units this year to above-average he should stay.

If he would have been terrible for two years, fire him. If he was merely below average overall for two years, let’s see how it works in his third year. That’s just my opinion, I guess.

Today’s special teams performance against Chicago was awful, but for the first three games this season, before today, we were actually doing pretty well in kickoff and punt returns, above average in punt coverage, but just below average in kickoff coverage.

They may be “bad” players that he has to use on the STs but they make mistakes that wud send a High School player back to the bench and doing some running the next practice. Special teams are about assignments and doing what is directed more than talent. Talent, like a Hester for returns, may make the teams better but doing what is expected will keep the big gainers to a bare minimum. In the past, other than one or maybe 2 breaks, Hester did pretty much nothing against the Lions for his first 2 or 3 years in the league. Once Kwan gained control, every return man in the league marks a big X next to the Lions on the schedule.

i dont think this is going to go unnoticed by schwartz, whether or not that means an immediate difference in play calling/performance on special teams is to be seen. But knowing schwartz he will attempt to address it.

but Schwartz is gonna build a summer cottage in his ass at tomorrow’s meeting. A summer cottage. All up in his ass.

that this is stan kwan PRE-summer cottage in ass

and kwan was one of them. the only time he has looked good is when he has had good players. meaning, he has 0 scheme. unacceptable especially on special teams as typically you are dealing with 2nd & 3rd string offensive & defensive players. you must have a scheme, you must have discipline.

Remember when we just started kicking out punts out of bounds at the 40 because we couldn’t stop a return?

This guy is terrible and needed to go last year. Maybe if Chicago had picked him up also we would have won.

And for all the people defending Kwan (for some reason): Our team is full of players that would be on the practice squad of other teams. These players all play special teams because if you are desperate to play, you play special teams. How in the hell do you not have the talent available for special teams when half your team should be out there on special teams.

This guy is a terrible coach and it shows in coverage and returns. Or lack of coverage and fumbled punts if you want to use the correct terms for yesterdays second half special teams debacle. Post all the rankings you want, but yesterday was not the first time our special teams played like that and if Kwan still has a say in special teams, it will not be the last.