Each year, the experts at FootballOutsiders.com closely examine all aspects of the NFL game.  Special teams is no exception and the final rankings for the 2009 NFL Regular Season are complete.  Football Outsiders analyzes a variety of special teams categories and also factors in such things as weather conditions.

This year, the top five units were Cleveland, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Chicago and Tampa Bay.  In 2008, both Cleveland and Chicago were also in the top five, while Minnesota was dead last.  The bottom five this year were New Orleans, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Detroit and, in the last place spot, Green Bay.

With the regular season concluded, it is not uncommon to see many special teams coaches fired and, in some cases, hired elsewhere.  To date, the special teams coaches in Buffalo (Bobby April), Detroit (Stan Kwan), Pittsburgh (Bob Ligashesky) and San Francisco (Al Everest) have been let go, while new staffs are being sought in Seattle (Bruce DeHaven) and Washington (Danny Smith).  It is also expected that Bucs special teams coach Rich Bisaccia will move to the college ranks at Tennessee.