Crimson Red Sports

Everyone wants to know who the QB is. We all are excited about how good the defense is going to be. But my biggest question is something else entirely: special teams. From early reports (ok, very early reports) our punters are not looking good. Will Foster be more accurate on the long fg's, and will he consistently put it in the endzone on kick-offs? Will our kicker platoon of Foster and Shelley be able to win games for us. Will our return game be up to snuff? We all remember how many times in 09 that Javy changed the game for us with his electric returns. We need that return game if we're going to win the SEC. I know that the defense is going to be great. And I know that the offense will be good behind TR. We will definitely score points. But I am more worried about special teams than anything else. Because championship runs require more than just offense and defense. Special teams are the difference between BCS championship and BCS also-ran.

That is a legit concern.   Also, the SEC schedule as a whole.

Coach, do you have any thoughts on the kicker situation? What can our punters do to improve other than just practice? Is it just that they are not learning the technique? Or do they not have the ability? Kicking is probably the one thing in football I know the least about as far as technique and skill. I never could kick a football worth anything.

Honestly, I don't get to see the punters enough.  I would think the special teams coach works with them.  When I watch Cade Foster, he seems to try to kill the ball instead of letting his leg speed and strength do the work.  Just my opinion.

I'm with you guys.  The kicking in the A-Day game was very poor and several of us talked about it on here.  He doesn't have to kill the ball, but if he could be more consistent and eliminate the shanks out of bounds it would be a huge improvement.  We might not be able to win many games with our special teams this year, but I hope we can at least get enough consistency that we don't lose a game because of them.

Also, I would like to see better route combinations.

I'm hoping something has improved with the punters, they were really bad in the ADay game. The worst thing about the kickoffs is the coverage, there are too many long returns. The field goal kickers may be the best part of the kicking game.

Good point. I believe Dee Hart was suppose to be the guy as well.

  I am somewhat concerned with the punting and kicking game. We have lots of options as far as kick return guys.
   There seemed to be an abundance of receivers with forced fumbles during "A" Day. I hope this has been taken care since.

 

I think all phases of our kicking game will be fine. I don't expect it to be the strength of the team but I don't expect it to be a weakness. JMHO