2007 Giants Vs. 2011 Giants: Comparing Super Bowl Champs -- Special Teams

Our final comparison as we go position-by-position through the rosters of the 2007 and 2011 Super Bowl-winning New York Giants is a look at the special teams. The numbers are below.

Punting
2007 Jeff Feagles -- 71 punts, 40.4 yards per punt, 25 punts inside the 20, 36.0 yards net average
2011 Steve Weatherford -- 82 punts, 45.7 yards per punt, 25 punts inside the 20, 39.2 yards net average

Kicking
2007 Lawrence Tynes -- 40-of-42, PATs, 23-of-27 field goals
2011 Lawrence tynes -- 43-of-32 PATs, 19-of-24 field goals

Kickoff Returns
2007 Ahmad Bradshaw -- 38 returns, 24.2 yards per return, long of 68 yards
2007 Reuben Droughns -- 20 returns, 21.9 yards per return
2007 Domenik Hixon -- 8 returns, 27.6 yards per return, long of 74 yards
2011 Devin Thomas -- 25 returns, 24.3 yards per return, long of 40 yards
2011 Da'Rel Scott -- 14 returns, 24.4 yard per return
2011 Jarrel Jernigan -- 8 returns, 23.3 yards per return

Punt Returns
2007 R.W. McQuarters -- 42 returns, 7.6 yards per return
2011 Aaron Ross -- 14 returns, 7.1 yards per return
2011 Will Blackmon -- 6 returns, 4.2 yards per return

When I look at these numbers it is obvious neither team could return punts. Of course, as long as you catch them and don't fumble I guess that is good enough. Not every team can have Devin Hester. Placekicking is a wash -- Lawrence Tynes was the kicker for both squads.

So, this really comes down to punting and kickoff returns. Love Jeff Feagles, but the numbers show that Steve Weatherford was far superior in 2011 to what Feagles brought to the table in 2011. In terms of kickoff return Ahmad Bradshaw of 2007 was better than anybody the Giants tried in 2011, but really not by that much.

For me, Weatherford makes the difference here.

ADVANTAGE: 2011

Your thoughts?