Special Teams

[CalallenStang]

Can it be fixed?

We have:

- Very little blocking on kickoff and punt returns
- Lackluster kickoff coverage
- A rugby style punter that has a difficult time making solid contact with the ball
- And a kicker for whom anything more than a 35 yard field goal is an adventure

[Digetydog]

Can it be fixed?

We have:

- Very little blocking on kickoff and punt returns
- Lackluster kickoff coverage
- A rugby style punter that has a difficult time making solid contact with the ball
- And a kicker for whom anything more than a 35 yard field goal is an adventure

At this point, the kickers are unlikely to be changed.

On the coverage teams, I have been told that a huge part of our problem is the roster.

Because of the depth issues, they have choices:
1) play key players on special teams tiring them out and risking injury;
2) play some of the older players who lack much talent; and/or
3) play very young players who make a ton of mistakes.

We are getting better at virtually every position, but ST's probably won't improve until next year.

[ponyte]

Special teams are usually the domaine of younger players. Well, our younger players are starters and key backups. And we can't afford getting them hurt.

We do need to recruit or develop our kickers to be more consistent. Our kick coverage lacks the one or two crazies that scarf everything to break up wedges and fly to the ball. Coverage personal are just too timid. That will change as players and experience and a desire to show the coaches playing desire improves.

[San Antonio Mustang]

I fear y'all are being too kind to the special team coaches. On kick coverage they do not insist that the guys stay in their lanes. Too often there is a convergence on the middle especially on kickoffs resulting in opening up the outside for long returns. When we are receiving, there seems to be a pattern of our returner running to the middle where they get jammed up. This happens frequently enough that I think it must be what the coaches want. As for the talent being used, Proche and Kevin Thomas are not exactly chopped liver. I have come to believe that other than the kickers our special teams problems are more a coaching issue than a talent issue.

[gostangs]

The issue really is pretty much just the kickers To not be able to kick to the end zone with wind behind us was a big issue. If every kick is returned there will be a good return eventually. Several under 30 yd punts is a serious problem and almost lost us that game.

I'm guessing this has to be close to the number one on the list of things chad Knows he has to change. Just takes one guy. Tulanes punter and kick off guy was same player.

He could honestly promise immediate start for next year to a strong legged high school kicker and punter.

[jimhagle]

The guy, whose name escapes me, who kicked off in the first half was kicking low line drive bullets and thank goodness didn't allow for any long returns as their runners had plenty of time to get upfield. Then Williams took over later on KOs. Very odd I thought. I guess because Williams hasn't been kicking it deep enough they thought the back up might do better-uh,not. Our Aussie kicker needs to be replaced next year too. His 2 -25 yard kicks were just awful. Yes, both kickers need to be upgraded next year.

[mrydel]

I fear y'all are being too kind to the special team coaches. On kick coverage they do not insist that the guys stay in their lanes. Too often there is a convergence on the middle especially on kickoffs resulting in opening up the outside for long returns. When we are receiving, there seems to be a pattern of our returner running to the middle where they get jammed up. This happens frequently enough that I think it must be what the coaches want. As for the talent being used, Proche and Kevin Thomas are not exactly chopped liver. I have come to believe that other than the kickers our special teams problems are more a coaching issue than a talent issue.

Just curious. Do you know for a fact the coaches do not insist they stay in their lanes? There are many occasions when players do not do as instructed.

[docabel]

Progress...progress...progress...

Just remember that it was a few short years ago when JJ ran the team without a special teams coach at all...

[San Antonio Mustang]

Short answer "no". I used the word "insist" because I think the coaches can control repeated behavior. Your absolutely correct that players make mistakes and don't always do as instructed, but not repeatedly. At least not repeatedly if coaches insist they follow instructions. I don't presume to know more about schemes than coaches, but if something is not working then it might be time to do something different.

[Bergermeister]

Progress...progress...progress...

Just remember that it was a few short years ago when JJ ran the team without a special teams coach at all...

That was PB.

[mrydel]

Short answer "no". I used the word "insist" because I think the coaches can control repeated behavior. Your absolutely correct that players make mistakes and don't always do as instructed, but not repeatedly. At least not repeatedly if coaches insist they follow instructions. I don't presume to know more about schemes than coaches, but if something is not working then it might be time to do something different.

I was truly just curious as to whether or not you were privy to that information because that would be bad.

Whatever is wrong, it is wrong and something has to be done. I am a big believer that you can win one or two extra games a year with superior special teams and I know you can lose one or two a year with poor special teams.

[Charleston Pony]

better athletes and more of them will go a long ways towards fixing our special teams problem but having said that...I sure do miss Frank Ganz!

[Digetydog]

The issue really is pretty much just the kickers To not be able to kick to the end zone with wind behind us was a big issue. If every kick is returned there will be a good return eventually. Several under 30 yd punts is a serious problem and almost lost us that game.

I'm guessing this has to be close to the number one on the list of things chad Knows he has to change. Just takes one guy. Tulanes punter and kick off guy was same player.

He could honestly promise immediate start for next year to a strong legged high school kicker and punter.

When he set up his coaching staff, Morris made it a priority and hired Darin Riley: http://footballscoop.com/news/2014-spec ... finalists/

Riley Didn't Get Stupid.

[Digetydog]

Progress...progress...progress...

Just remember that it was a few short years ago when JJ ran the team without a special teams coach at all...

That was PB.

JJ's last special teams coordinator was worse

[Grant Carter]

Progress...progress...progress...

Just remember that it was a few short years ago when JJ ran the team without a special teams coach at all...

There is not a special teams coach on this staff either. There is a special teams consultant (Riley), but he is not allowed to actually coach directly.