The Nfl

Chargers special teams coach Steve Crosby says that with only 45 players suiting up on Sundays, and skill-position players such as backup quarterbacks and wideouts unavailable, it's imperative that starters participate on special teams. "It's impossible to have any kind of success in the kicking game without using starters at some point," he says. "What I've tried to do is limit a starter to two teams. Like cornerback Quentin Jammer—he's on our kickoff and punt-return teams, but nothing else."

Injury is the obvious concern with starters. Another factor is that clubs don't want to draw a player's focus away from his primary duty. On the other hand, some starters lobby coaches to get on special teams. "They come to me and say, 'Coach, you know if you need me, you got me,'" says Crosby. "These guys are tremendous that way. In my meeting the night before the [Oct. 7] Denver game, I said [to linebacker Shawne Merriman ], 'If we need you and you've got to cover a kickoff, can you do it?' He said, 'Are you kidding me? I'm there.' In the middle of the game he walked up to me and said, 'I'm ready to go.'"

Merriman wasn't needed that night, with the Chargers on their way to a 41--3 win. But don't be surprised if he's out there—alongside or across from another All-Pro—when the next call comes.

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