For years, special teams were viewed by Bill Belichick in New England as the third spoke on the wheel of an NFL team, alongside offense and defense. They're essential and can't be overlooked, but they're not in the same league as offense and defense.
Regardless, it is an aspect of a team that, if it's really good, can be a difference-maker from time to time. Field goal kicking and its importance cannot be overestimated. Last-second field goals can be the difference between winning and losing.
That aspect includes punting, of course, as well as coverage of both kickoffs and punts. It's in that aspect of the game that the Patriots have the best in the business. It's former undrafted free agent, Brenden Schooler, who, like Matthew Slater before him, is a terror on coverage and almost unblockable.
Brenden Schooler cited as top "special teams gunner" in the NFL
ESPN's Bill Barnwell named what he calls the "NFL's luxury" players. One of them cited for his "special-teams gunner" excellence is the Patriots' Brenden Schooler. He's now getting the accolades he deserves from astute observers like Barnwell.
"New England ranked second in special teams EPA, trailing only the Steelers, who forced an unreal 11 fumbles on kickoff and punt plays, the most by any team since 2004.
The most significant force behind that special teams performance was Schooler, who was rewarded for his efforts with a first-team All-Pro nod
In addition to blocking a punt in an October game against the Dolphins, Schooler added something to his résumé: defense. The Patriots used Schooler on 50 snaps, and while half of them came in a meaningless Week 18 win over the Bills, he was used more regularly to spy opposing quarterbacks. In limited time, he managed to chase down a pair of sacks, which left him tied for fourth on the team in that category."
Having been named the Patriots' only All-Pro was a nice distinction for the 28-year-old. It helped land him a three-year contract extension after the 2024 season. It was well-deserved. The three-year veteran has proven his mettle.
Schooler can do more if utilized correctly
The Patriots have recently struggled to identify the best positions for some of their more talented players. Top performers like Keion White, Marcus Jones, and Schooler have not been utilized to their full potential, taking advantage of their abilities.
There have been poor and costly coaching decisions. White has been used as an EDGE far too often. He has the potential to be one of the NFL's best interior defensive linemen. Hopefully, Mike Vrabel won't repeat the errors of Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo and will get it right in 2025.
Another Patriot with great talent who's been misused is cornerback Marcus Jones. He, like White, is OK in the position he plays, but would be better elsewhere. Jones is a secret weapon, who'll be one of the Patriots' most explosive players if used on offense. Except for a few glimpses in which he's been electric, he's been kept on D. It's another gaffe.
Schooler also has additional potential, which was somewhat recognized in 2024. He got 50 snaps on defense in 2024 and racked up two sacks and three quarterback hits in that limited sample. He has terrific speed and size at 6'2" and 210 pounds, and is tailor-made to play strong or even free safety in the NFL.
Mike Vrabel is on the spot. It will be fascinating to see if he "gets it" and takes better advantage of talents like White, Jones, and Schooler, who have been misused in the past. If he does, it might just make the difference between a good team and one that marches right into the 2025 NFL playoffs.