The Arizona Cardinals Special Teams Unit Try To Get Back To Dominance

Aug 17, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals special teams coordinator Amos Jones greets cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) during warm ups before the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 12-7. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The last two years the Arizona Cardinals have struggled mightily in the return game, after the electric 2011 season where star cornerback Patrick Peterson lit up the league with exciting performances recording four returns for touchdowns for 699 yards and a few game winners.

Since that time the return game with Peterson has been a disappointment, perhaps the work load may have been to much but in reality the special-teams were not really that good. Last years team was expected to get back on track after adding pro-bowl specialist Lorenzo Alexander from the Washington Redskins, which sure would have been a big lift to the unit before he went down to an injury that ended his 2013 season.

The return game got so inept that the team reached to ignite a spark by placing then rookie Tyrann Mathieu on punts to relieve Peterson, that move cost the team its star free safety as Mathieu tore almost every ligament known in the knee on his first return.

This up coming season this return unit is in good shape to be one of, if not the best in the league, with all of the speed brought in will sure make a competition very exciting to watch in the pre-season.

Ted Ginn Jr. looks to be the front runner, and then rookies, third round draft pick John Brown and Sixth round pick Walt Powell will surely get an opportunity with their youth and blazing speed.

Do not anticipate Patrick Peterson or Tyrann Mathieu will see one punt or kick return this season, look for both to concentrate on what they do best and thats ball hawk.