2012 NFL Free Agents: Return Specialists That These Teams Can't Afford to Lose

Special teams may not get acknowledgement like offense or defense, but there's no denying they are just as important.

As we saw in the NFC Championship game, punt returns alone can be significant to a games' outcome. And with kickoffs returns becoming rather scarce, anytime one is attempted the game can be changed.

So, with the importance of the return game playing a small but crucial role to winning in the NFL, here are some teams that can't afford to lose these return specialists.

Eric Weems, Atlanta Falcons

Although Eric Weems has only returned two kicks back for touchdowns in his career, the Atlanta Falcons must retain him as their primary return man.

In 2009, Weems compiled over 1,400 total return yards and averaged over 25 yards on kickoffs and exactly 10 yards on punts.

The 2010 season was eerily similar, with over 1,200 total return yards. Weems' averages were over 27 yards on kickoffs and almost 13 yards on punts.

This past season was not nearly as productive as the previous two; however, Weems still had good averages. He didn't get an many opportunities on kickoffs but still managed to get a little over 23 yards per return.

Punt returning is where he saw improvement, attempting 32 and gaining 315 yards. It wasn't his most impressive average (just under 10 yards), but it still provided the Falcons with solid field position.

In a offensively dominant NFC South, with the Carolina Panthers on their heels, the Falcons need to remain great on returning, otherwise they'll be lucky to make the postseason.

Ted Ginn Jr., San Francisco 49ers

Used significantly more on kickoffs than punts for the better part of his first three seasons, Ted Ginn Jr. became a complete return man in 2010 with San Francisco.

During his years from 2007-2009 in Miami, the Dolphins saw Ginn dominate on kickoffs, totaling over 1,400 yards as a rookie, 657 yards a year later (he attempted 31 fewer returns) and hitting almost 1,300 in 2009.

Becoming a 49er in 2010, Ginn developed even more and accounted for over 1,300 total return yards with over 300 coming on punts (career high).

The 2011 season was arguably his best collective performance; he gained over 1,200 yards with over 400 on punts. Not to mention he scored twice and averaged 27.6 yards on kickoffs (rank: No. 3) and 12.3 yards per return on punts (rank: No. 4).

Considering that the 49ers have a great defense paired with a quickly improving offense, Ginn's ability to keep San Francisco in charge of the field position battle is beyond vital.

And, after what happened with Kyle Williams in the NFC title game, the 49ers must retain Ginn.

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

DeSean Jackson most certainly had a down year as a punt returner for the Philadelphia Eagles and as a wide receiver.

That being said, it doesn't mean Philly should part ways; he remains one of the Eagles' better threats.

Through his first three seasons, Jackson compiled over 1,100 punt return yards and scored four touchdowns. In 2011, he gained only 114 yards on 17 attempts and didn't electrify any games.

Then again, it's not DeSean's fault if an opponent decides to punt the rock out of bounds. So, that alone will take away Jackson and decrease his opportunities.

The key is to keep Jackson back deep because when a punter tries to knock the ball toward the sidelines it increases the odds of a shanked punt. In turn, this also allows the Eagles to gameplan for more punt blocks, thus putting the punter under more duress.

For 2012, however, if the Eagles lose Jackson their team will be missing that return specialist piece to the puzzle. Finishing on a four-game win streak, Philly has the talent to be sick next fall, and they proved some dominance by going 5-1 in the NFC East.

With an improving defensive front and explosive offense, the Eagles cannot miss out on field position.

Preston Parker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2011, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were bad enough as it is. Getting worse on special teams only bodes well for another top draft pick in 2013.

Preston Parker served well on offense, catching 40 passes for 554 yards, and he did well on special teams.

There, Parker accounted for 649 total return yards and averaged 22 yards on kickoffs while getting 9.1 yards per punt return, which is certainly not overly impressive—but not dreadful by any means.

That word could describe Tampa's defense, which allowed almost 400 total yards per game.

What the Buccaneers really need to do is get a strong No. 1 receiver via draft or free agency and make Parker the No. 2 guy. Then, not only will he have less pressure to dominate on offense, but also he can focus a little more attention to developing as a return man.

For, as horrendous as the Bucs' season finished (10 straight losses), there is some solid talent—otherwise they wouldn't have gone 10-6 in 2010 and begun 4-2 in 2011.

Parker is one of those players. Retain him for offense, but more importantly as a return specialist, and 2012 has more hope.

John Rozum on Twitter.