Ex-player: April hire huge for Eagles
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Ex-player: April hire huge for Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
If you Google the name of new Eagles special teams coach Bobby April, one of the more insightful links you'll find is a column from Matt Bowen of the National Football Post.
Bowen spent seven years in the NFL and twice had April as his special teams coach - once in St. Louis and again in Buffalo.
When April opted out of his contract with the Bills, Bowen wrote the piece urging teams to go after him.
And they did.
The Eagles flew under the radar, but ended up landing April yesterday to a reported three-year deal.
The beat guys from the Inquirer and Daily News have comments from April's conference call yesterday, but I wanted to get Bowen's take on his former coach.
He was nice enough to answer a few questions via e-mail for me. Here's the Q&A:
Q: You recently called April the “best in the business.” How would you describe his philosophy, and what separated him from the other special teams coaches you played for?
A: I call Bobby the "best in the business" for one because he knows how to connect with players. That is the first key to coaching, and when you coach special teams, you are in charge of such a wide variety of players - almost 40 at a time, and he can connect with each and every one of them. What he does is translate that to the field. Special teams in the NFL is "grunt" work. It isn't glamorous, but he sells the idea that running into the wedge on kickoff is brave, courageous and only allows for the best to do it. He makes you want to sacrifice your body for the team. That is a tough sell for pro athletes, but he gets it done. He is a technician, and he is a great teacher.
Could easily see Bobby lecturing at the university level in a physics class and making it your favorite class of the day. You want to be in those meetings, and you want to play well and produce for him. Special teams is still based on desire and effort at the pro level.
Q: Is there a specific area of special teams where April’s units really excel?
A: Fundamentals. Special teams schemes in the NFL are not different from team to team. There are only so many ways to cover a kick, but Bobby teaches the fundamentals better than any coach I have been with. Tackling, getting off blocks, using your hands as weapons. That is why his units are so good, because they are schooled in the little things that make you a better player.
Q: You described his methods as “unconventional.” Do you have a story you could share from your time as a player under April that demonstrates what you’re talking about?
A: Broom sticks... I always brings this up because we used broom sticks in the offseason to teach leverage, teach how to place our hands and how to block and shed blocks. Every day in the offseason we would be on the field working with broom sticks, using techniques from boxing (we would watch film on championship boxing), etc. ... things you don't find on every team.
Q: Having played for April, and having played several years in the same division as the Eagles, how do you see him fitting in with the way Andy Reid and the organization operate?
A: I believe that any coach under Andy is going to be successful. Hiring Bobby will be bigger than any free agent or draft pick. We tend to forget that special teams - especially in December and the postseason - win games and set up field position. When your units are near the top of the league, you will win games with the talent Andy has already compiled on that roster.
You can read Matt Bowen on the National Football Post.
Congrats Welcome to Philly...NOW CUT Rocca and Stinko Harris!— citysims
Can he coach QB's too? How about call running plays?— Justicek
themadhacker2000 - What is with all the hate? Is it over a few missed tackles? He is the only guy on the defense that makes plays. Why does everyone act as if Sheldon is so good? He gets burned all the time.— gallen024- Great comments. Looks like a great hire.— 76er
- The Eagles can use a better kickoff return game.. Hopefully Ellis Hobbs can return healthy next year.— gallen024
- didn't the fired special teams coach have two players in the PRO BOWL? must have done something right. sounds like he got thrown under the bus [never used at an Eagles parade]. Aren't there many more bigger issues? deck chair off the Titanic, if you ask me.— actionlasvegas
Been a loyal Eagle fan my whole life but in the early 70's I lived outside of Washington, DC. George Allen was the coach and one day he was asked about special teams and he said "Downing a punt inside their 10 yard line is worth points. If you down a punt inside the opponent's 10 yard line you will be the next team to score 80% of the time. But if they get the ball at their 20 or beyond it's about 50/50." Think about that. Let's say your offense stalls at about the opponent's 40 or 45. Too long for a field goal and a punt into the end zone is a wasted opportunity. But if we have special teams that can be relied on to down that punt inside their 10, we're going to make things a lot easier on the offense. Maybe you get a turnover. Or maybe a three and out. Even holding them to one first down will still get you the ball near midfield. 400 yards pasing and long pass receptions make the highlight reels. They're great. But a good kicking game wins ball games even though it's not nearly as flashy. A great special teams coach with the right kind of players can get this team over the hump, no matter who the quarterback is.- Sounds like a coaching upgrade at the very least. Perhaps this guy can coach our punter in some things he MUST get better at. I thought Rocca was an upgrade when he got here, but he's either GOT to improve before the season commences, or another college free agent broought in. Good Luck to you Coach April.— TBear
Reid used Special Teams coach as a scapegoat. When he didn't have enough players on the field...Big Andy the genius called another one of his ill-timed Time Outs. Ugh!- lol...it doesn't matter!!! Still have the Cheeseburglar Reid running the show and McFlop throwing anywhere but at his receivers. I love the Eagles but I'm a realist. They will never win the SB with Reid and McNabb.— tralala
- Good call Andy, Great Job Andy, nice pick up Andy. Aren't you the same people that wanted Andy Reid fired three days ago? Philly has to be the most fickle sports town ever.— annec
- At first glance he looks like Kotite, I hope his chart doesn't get wet and the birds give up a kickoff TD because of it.— Will T.
Comment removed.- gallen024...you have to be kidding! The guy cherry picks for his interceptions but gives up more big plays....and I lost all respect for him when he admitted he isn't a good tackler and "that's not what he's paid to do"......yes it is!! The fact that he doesn't have the slightest interest in improving his defense (other than his picks) shows me he's a selfish player...not a team player. Sheldon deserved that Pro Bowl spot!— jimyd0315
- Who knows how Mr April will do. He can't be worse than the one who is leaving, however!— BEMiller
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