The AFC and NFC special teams players of the month for September have something in common: They’re return men who played against the Lions.
Detroit’s dreadful kick coverage units gave up four return touchdowns in September, and two of the return men who scored against the Lions — Tennessee’s Darius Reynaud and Minnesota’s Percy Harvin — were named the AFC and NFC special teams players of the month.
Reynaud has 15 kickoff returns for 408 yards (a 27.2-yard average), including a 105-yard touchdown against the Lions. Reynaud also fielded a punt and then threw the ball across the field on a trick play that resulted in another touchdown for the Titans against the Lions.
Harvin has nine kickoff returns for 345 yards (a 38.3-yard average), including a 105-yard touchdown against the Lions. After Harvin returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown in Detroit, the Lions threw in the towel and kicked high and short on their next two kickoffs to keep the ball out of Harvin’s hands.
Lions special teams coordinator Danny Crossman told the team’s website that he’s determined to get the kick coverage better.
“It’s my problem as the coach,” Crossman said. “My name is on it. I will get it corrected.”
If it doesn’t get corrected, Reynaud and Harvin won’t be the last return men to be honored by the NFL for their performance against the Lions.