2012 NFL Free Agents: Special Teams Players Who Cannot Be Overlooked

While the big-name offensive and defensive studs are the headline grabbers, these are the players that make the difference between winning championships and watching the playoffs from your couch.

We've seen time and time again that special teams makes the difference. These are the impact players that teams need to go hard in pursuit of.

Ted Ginn Jr. 

If you need to know how valuable Ginn was to the 49ers this year, you obviously didn't watch the NFC Championship Game. With Ginn out, two mistakes were made in the return game that directly led to 10 Giants' points. Considering they lost in overtime, it's fair to say that the 49ers would have made the Super Bowl had that not happened. 

More than that one game, Ginn was third in the NFL in average yards per kick return and fourth in punt return yardage. The 49ers went 13-3 being a team that relied heavily on winning the field position battle, shortening the field for the offense. 

With Ginn, that game plan worked exceptionally well, and they can't afford to let it go. The team that does land him will get a guy that reliably keeps the field tilted in the right direction. Also, in a crunch, he is capable of scoring on his own. 

Mike Nugent

This guy has an absolute gun for a leg. Had it not been for David Akers, Nugent would have led the league in field goals made. In addition to making a lot of kicks, he was also top 10 in the league in field-goal percentage, which is a fantastic combination. 

The Bengals didn't have Nugent try any from outside of 50 yards in 2011, but he was 14-16 between 40-49. In 2010, he made four from outside of 50.

This is especially impressive when you consider that between home games and divisional road games, Nugent has at least 11 games per season where he kicks outdoors in a cold weather city. Making that many kicks at a high rate is something that will translate just about anywhere. 

Neil Rackers

Age has not limited the power of Rackers' leg. Over the last two seasons, he has made nine field goals from outside of 50 yards. 

The production since 2008 has been remarkably consistent. 

	FG Percentage
2008	89.3%
2009	94.1%
2010	90.0%
2011	84.2%

When Rackers lines up for a field goal, you can rely on three points. When he tries a long kick, you know that you have at least an above average chance. 

This is remarkable production and a nice asset to have in your back pocket during a close game.

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