Marcus Sherels and the science of surviving and succeeding as an NFL special teamer

A wandering thought came to mind Monday while watching 90 players on the practice fields of Winter Park.

It went something like this, "Wonder how many of these guys were around when Marcus Sherels — the Little Train that Could — survived Brad Childress' rookie minicamp tryout back in the spring of 2010?"

The answer: 2.

Brian Robison and Everson Griffen. And Griffen had joined the team only a week earlier when he was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft.

At 175 pounds, Sherels is tied with rookie corner Sam Brown as the lightest guy on this year's team. Sam probably won't be around past cutdown day. Marcus probably will be.

Again.

Sherels' strength as a punt returner is visible. He's quick, faster than advertised and exerts absolutely no wasted movements as he works in unison with special teams coordinator Mike Priefer's blocking schemes.

But Sherels also is an elite coverage guy on kickoffs — as an outside safety — and on punt returns as one of the gunners.

Watching the smaller Sherels work as a gunner is interesting. It defies playground logic. The shorter, lighter guy with the shorter arms isn't supposed to be able to escape when he's being blocked by two bigger, heavier guys with longer arms.

Please explain, Mr. Priefer.

"As a gunner, he's phenomenally quick," Priefer said. "He has a plan when he gets up to the line of scrimmage as far as what he's going to do against that opponent. He studies tape. He's kind of a film junkie.

"I'll make suggestions and he'll make suggestions. We've know each other seven years now, so we're always talking" about ways to get through blocks at the line of scrimmage.

"I just use the techniques they teach," he said. "If you do that, you'll be all right."

Not some of us, Marcus.

Sherels said he does study a lot of film of opponents' moves, but added, "everybody does that."

"You can't show a guy the same move every time," Sherels said. "Every time, it's a little bit different. That's why we scout. That's why we watch a lot of film."

Priefer said Sherels' small frame makes proper technique an absolute must.