Mac
That's a pain in the buns
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?
-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter Mac
- Start date
Buckeyecty4
Hall of Fame
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
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
Upvote
0
leroyjenkins
Choose positivity
Buckeyecty4;1099450; said:
Theres your answer, and a scary thought to teams on our schedule for the next couple of years!! Fastest tandem returning kicks in history??
Upvote
0
Buckeyecty4
Hall of Fame
leroyjenkins;1099484; said:
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
Upvote
0
leroyjenkins
Choose positivity
Buckeyecty4;1099491; said:
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.
Upvote
0
MUBuck
Peach fuzz buzz but beard on the verge
Buckeyecty4;1099491; said:
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.
Upvote
0
bukIpower
Head Coach
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
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
Upvote
0
OregonBuckeye
Semper Fi Buckeyes
Yertle;1099218; said:
Small didn't look good at all returning punts or kick-off's. I think part of that had to due with his injury but he also needs to learn to find the crease and burst through it.
Upvote
0
MD Buckeye
BP Soft Verbal
Staff member
BP Recruiting Team
Bookie
Former BPCFFB II Champ
Former FF League III Champ
Site Supporter: VIP
Give Saine the rock.
Upvote
0
OZone
Football
2008 Special Teams Outlook
By John Porentas
The outlook for special teams in 2008 is mixed.
When discussing special teams it's tempting to look just at the kickers, but the truth is that on every special teams play there are 11 players on the field, each with a job. Additionally, the return game is a very important aspect of special teams that does not involve a kicker for the returning team. That being said, we'll look at the kickers and other specialists first, then the other aspects of special teams play.
Cont...
Football
2008 Special Teams Outlook
By John Porentas
The outlook for special teams in 2008 is mixed.
When discussing special teams it's tempting to look just at the kickers, but the truth is that on every special teams play there are 11 players on the field, each with a job. Additionally, the return game is a very important aspect of special teams that does not involve a kicker for the returning team. That being said, we'll look at the kickers and other specialists first, then the other aspects of special teams play.
Cont...
Upvote
0
kippy1040
Hall of Fame
I was always under the impression that "Special Teams" were one of J T's job or some responsibility. In the beginning he talked alot of how important those type of teams were. For Ohio State to be ranked as low as 117th in kickoff return yardage in 2008 is very surprising. Maybe its because Ohio State spent more time kicking off to opposing teams after scoring. How did we fair in kicking off to other teams and stoping them for little or no gain. Maybe thats where we did not do so good. I don't know.
Upvote
0
Dispatch
OSU football notebook: Kick returns get special attention
Friday, April 18, 2008 5:26 AM
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State failed to meet its high standards on special teams last season, and kickoff returns were a big reason why. Even though the Buckeyes played for a national title, they were only middle of the pack in kickoff coverage (57th nationally) and punt returns (58th). They allowed two kickoff-return touchdowns, and four of their field goal attempts were blocked.
But the kickoff returns weren't even close to middling. Ohio State ranked 117th -- third to last -- and averaged 17.65 yards per return.
"The general thought from the coaching staff is we weren't as good on special teams as we expect to be last season," said Chad Rogosheske, a graduate assistant coach who works with kickers and punters.
Cont...
OSU football notebook: Kick returns get special attention
Friday, April 18, 2008 5:26 AM
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State failed to meet its high standards on special teams last season, and kickoff returns were a big reason why. Even though the Buckeyes played for a national title, they were only middle of the pack in kickoff coverage (57th nationally) and punt returns (58th). They allowed two kickoff-return touchdowns, and four of their field goal attempts were blocked.
But the kickoff returns weren't even close to middling. Ohio State ranked 117th -- third to last -- and averaged 17.65 yards per return.
"The general thought from the coaching staff is we weren't as good on special teams as we expect to be last season," said Chad Rogosheske, a graduate assistant coach who works with kickers and punters.
Cont...
Upvote
0