2008 tOSU Special Teams discussion (official thread)

mstevmac · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 12:21 AM

So after a very disappointing year from the Kickoff return game in 2007, how do you think we could make 2008 a much better year than finishing 117th in Kickoff average return yardage?

Yertle · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 01:38 AM

1. Bring Ted Ginn back for another year.
2. Let Small return more kicks.
3. We were 11-1 in a rebuilding year... who cares about kick off return average???

I'll pick all of the above.

spotpass · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 12:15 PM

Could the return blocking have been better in 07? I'm sure that will be looked at as well.

Buckeyecty4 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 01:14 PM

Get some playmakers back there returning kicks.. Scheming and blocking is probably the main culprit of our bad special teams of a year ago..

Brandon Saine, Ray Small, Malcolm Jenkins, Devier Posey, Lamaar Thomas, Travis Howard...

These would be main guys I'd be looking at in 2008 to add gamebreaking potential to our return games..

I really have a tough time believing Maurice Wells is the best we can put out there on kick returns. All his returns seem to get to the 20 yard line and that is it.

As for punt returns, Hartline is an okay guy in that role (as one of the dual returners), but the unit of Small and Hartline doesnt scare ya like Ginn and Holmes did.. We should have two guys back there who are a legit threat to house it every time they get a return.. Hartline really isnt that type

leroyjenkins · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeyecty4

Get some playmakers back there returning kicks.. Scheming and blocking is probably the main culprit of our bad special teams of a year ago..

Brandon Saine, Ray Small, Malcolm Jenkins, Devier Posey, Lamaar Thomas, Travis Howard...

These would be main guys I'd be looking at in 2008 to add gamebreaking potential to our return games..

I really have a tough time believing Maurice Wells is the best we can put out there on kick returns. All his returns seem to get to the 20 yard line and that is it.

As for punt returns, Hartline is an okay guy in that role (as one of the dual returners), but the unit of Small and Hartline doesnt scare ya like Ginn and Holmes did.. We should have two guys back there who are a legit threat to house it every time they get a return.. Hartline really isnt that type

Theres your answer, and a scary thought to teams on our schedule for the next couple of years!! Fastest tandem returning kicks in history??

Buckeyecty4 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leroyjenkins

Theres your answer, and a scary thought to teams on our schedule for the next couple of years!! Fastest tandem returning kicks in history??

I dont know if Saine would be good on punts.. IMO ideal PRs have real good feet and the ability to accelerate out of their cuts really well.. Saine to me is more of a straight line speedster.. I think on kickoffs he'd be great, find a seam and just explode through it.. but i dont love him on punts..

Thomas and Small would probably be a pretty nice tandem for punts

leroyjenkins · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeyecty4

I dont know if Saine would be good on punts.. IMO ideal PRs have real good feet and the ability to accelerate out of their cuts really well.. Saine to me is more of a straight line speedster.. I think on kickoffs he'd be great, find a seam and just explode through it.. but i dont love him on punts..

Thomas and Small would probably be a pretty nice tandem for punts

I agree with what youre saying, but when I think of a good punt returner, I think of a guy that makes one (maybe 2) moves then heads upfield in a hurry! I think Saine can do that.

MUBuck · #8 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeyecty4

Thomas and Small would probably be a pretty nice tandem for punts

The only problem I have with two smaller guys back there is after one fields the punt, the other is sort of a lead blocker. Haven't seen Thomas yet, but I'm not convinced Small would be able to effectively get in anybody's way. Then again, I don't remember Teddy throwing any blocks on ST either, so who knows.

bukIpower · #9 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 11:03 PM

we were inconsistent all over the place on special teams.... IMO, the field goal team was poor as hell also. I think Pettrey needs to kick again, and we need to also go over our coverage or get people who know how to block for the kicker. Some of the kicks were the kickers fault though, for not getting the kick high enough... something pettrey NEVER had problems doing. It's not a damn coinsidence that Pretoroius has more kicks blocked in the kick scrimmage than Pettrey..

Kick return coverage... ummm??? we had I think 2 returned on us this year... That does Not happen at OSU it does not. I think more linebackers, and less Db's should be out there. IMO, kick coverage is more bout not being afraid to be hit than it is pure out speed. Linebacker type speed will do just fine...

Return teams.... wow we were awful. You can't just say Let ray do more returns because he was doing most of our kick returns as the end of the year neared and we didn't get anywhere still... Its something we need to fix because we all know how important special teams is in field position