Mailbag: Why all the special teams mistakes?

(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

For all the excitement and big plays the Cowboys' special teams have provided this season, I feel like there have been just as many bad ones. Why is that? Coordinator John Fassel is obviously well respected, but why all of these critical mistakes? – Adrian Robertson/Dallas, TX

Patrik: It's definitely been a wild ride for the special teams unit this season. On one note, it has, at times, been the only light in dark season, by way of Brandon Aubrey and KaVontae Turpin (and Juanyeh Thomas). On the other hand, woof, boy have we seen some mental errors that shouldn't be occurring. I honestly don't think the issue is with Fassel.

I hold him in very high regard and he is, to me, the best special teams coordinator in the NFL. Is he perfect? Not at all, so I could point out a decision or two I wish he could take back. But, for my money, the crux of the bad moments have fallen on the respective player who made the error. You can't sell me on Oruwariye not knowing the punt block rule, as one example (notice how Fassel and others, like Nick Vigil, were losing their mind during the play?).

I believe players just need to do a better job at understanding situational football and not letting their football instincts overpower what they've been coached to do.

Tommy: I think that some of the decisions that Cowboys have made on special teams have been questionable this season for sure, but there have been some unfortunate bounces of the ball too.

Sometimes, that's just how football goes. John Fassel is one of the better special teams coordinators you'll find in the NFL, but he also has to shoulder the blame for all of this too.

Dallas' players seem to be prepared in practice for the situations that have popped up like the fake punt, what you're supposed to do in a "poison" punt return situation, etc. But it hasn't translated to the game for whatever reason, and it falls on Fassel to figure out why.