Are special teams part of the "process"? If not, I hope it is not too late to include them.
Kicking field goals is a lot like shooting free throws. It's about 90 percent mental. Kickers spend all practice doing one thing and the pressure on them is incredible. They have one job and that's it. It's a difficult task and you see guys struggling at it at every level. Look at the NFL right now.. tons of kicker issues.Are special teams part of the "process"? If not, I hope it is not too late to include them.
I actually think Rivera has done a tremendous job so far.Campbell changed coaches last year. Punting has been ok/average but placekicking is a disaster.
It is my understanding that normally a team has a very few scholarships available for kicker.. You can get in trouble easily if the #1 and #2 don't work out.Campbell changed coaches last year. Punting has been ok/average but placekicking is a disaster.
Reminder: our kick and punt coverage has been excellent, and returning has grown since the Iowa game. It's just the actual kicking that has been a recurring issue, and that seems to be personnel-related.
We're 5-2 and 4 points away from a perfect season so far. We're doing ok.
I'm sure someone has done the analysis of a punt return in terms of...Yes, special teams are way down this year. I'm not sure if I'm more disappointed in the kickers, or us literally running away from trying to returns punts, let alone not even using Kene who was second in yards per return at one point in his career. All that said, we have young players, and the punter has been the pleasant surprise considering he had to take over on short notice with injury to Dunn. I think it will get there, just this year 'getting there' will only mean becoming serviceable and safe.
Good ST would go a long ways towards those 4 points.
For many programs, good special teams is the difference between 7 or 8 wins and breaking that 10 win barrier and getting a NY6 game.
It's a conservative coaching style. I don't doubt there's a reason for doing it, but I like a dangerous punt returner, just my own preference and until recently we've typically had one. We have been going for more blocks as of late, which is something else I like.I'm sure someone has done the analysis of a punt return in terms of...
- percentage of holding and/or blocking in the back penalties
- time to get down field for each position
- getting 3 guys to pressure block the second row of blockers effectively slowing down 4 of the eleven more than trying to block them at the line
- the hang-time/distance of the opposing kicker
- fielding the punt mistakes
- injuries/risk of injuries
- clock management and controlled advance via the offense vs the risk of additional yards after the catch
At first, I was simply 'meh' with just fair catching the punt, but after more thought, I suspect the experts have their reasoning which I'm more and more getting ok with
We're 5-2 and 4 points away from a perfect season so far. We're doing ok.
Except things like special teams blunders have potentially been the difference.
Missed/blocked field goals, players running into each other with 1:30 on the clock on a punt return...there were other reasons for those losses but stronger special teams at least supports the other issues.
2 missed field goals against Baylor is the difference between 6-1 and drivers seat to Big 12 CCG and 5-2 on the outside looking in.
Lack of faith in kicking game changes the offensive philosophy and can wreak havoc on the "margins".