Special teams should be special again!

by psusportsinn on Feb 6, 2010 10:02 AM EST

Only one short year ago we were spoiled when we watched D-Will get us back into games with his big time returns. We had Stupar and Mauti crushing opposing return men on Kickoffs. Now we fumble punts, average around the 20 yd line on kick returns and allow big returns on kicking game.

So here is my take for the coming year. One we should be giving Fera a chance on kickoffs to pins people deep. Plus we will insert a lot more speed on kick coverage. Imagine Hodges, Carson, Fortt, Royer, among others rushing down the field to blow up some poor folks! We should see a lot more forced fumbles and big plays.

The big change will be in the return game. We have been waiting for speed and skill to get on campus and it has finally arrived. Should see Brown back to return punts and hopefully local guy Kenny will get a shot. Both have great hands and the ability to break a long return. Neither man is amazingly fast but like Williams they have a nac for finding small creasing and exploding for big returns. We should (hopefully) see D. Smith, S. Green (if he can get healthy) and the emergence of Silas Redd! Redd has unbelievable quickness the Big Ten Network dubs him as having "Reggie Bush-like quickness!!!" Also we must take into account we lost a lot of leadership last year in our special teams units. This year we will be deep enough to spread the wealth and have the right guys in the right positions . Just pray that our punter works out the kinks early!

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Comments

Agree and Disagree

I definitely agree about Fera. He was one of the most highly ranked kickers when we got him. More importantly, he already used his redshirt, so there’s no logic behind not getting him some PT.

As far as guys like Royer, Fortt, Redd, etc….well, if they’re ready to contribute on their respective offensive/defensive sides of the ball, then I’m all for it. But I just don’t see the point in burning redshirts solely for special teams play. Some of these guys are great athletes, but might not see significant PT this year due to a loaded position.

Case and point, Silas Redd. He has Royster, Green AND Dukes ahead of him…not to mention a guy like Brent Carter. Barring injuries (knock on wood), how much do you think he’d get in the game at RB? I say we should RS him, and try and space out our depth at RB. Ditto for a guy like Royer, if he’s not going to see significant time at rush end.

As for the LB’s, hey…if they’re ready, then play ‘em. We lost 3 starters from last year, and only one spot (Mauti) seems locked up (assuming he’s injury free). Would be great to get some of these young guys in there and form a stud nucleus for the next 3-4 years!

"We heard all that talk all week about the SEC and their speed, but we knew personally that they weren't nearly as tough as us."

-Tony Hunt

by Cpiritual27 on Feb 6, 2010 11:07 AM EST reply actions

I agree about

not burning redshirts…HOWEVAH…will somebody (just somebody) teach the returners that they don’t ALWAYS have to run up the backs of the wedge…there are options.

by DerryPharmer on Feb 6, 2010 11:29 AM EST reply actions

Yet another reason...

…Devon Smith belongs in the SEC. He’d be considered slow down there.

"We heard all that talk all week about the SEC and their speed, but we knew personally that they weren't nearly as tough as us."

-Tony Hunt

by Cpiritual27 on Feb 6, 2010 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

Would it not be the greatest thing ever

If he ran back a punt against Bama next season. Suck that speed.

by dawsonPSU10 on Feb 6, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

I'm betting Brown is returning kicks and punts next year

I’d like to see The Drake back there too if he can handle it. Kenney is another good option, but if they keep him on O I’m betting he gets a RS. If they switch him to CB he might have a shot at playing.

A lot of the guys we RS’ed last year will probably get a shot at ST this year, so I’m hoping that makes the difference in coverage.

by skarocksoi on Feb 6, 2010 2:56 PM EST reply actions

I remeber the Fera thing coming up last year

but I think if he were actually better on kickoffs than Wagner he would be out there. If you think about it, the ability to kick off is by far the easiest player skill to judge (as opposed to the ability to play left tackle for example). In addition, PSU has not been afraid to split kicking duties in the past (Kimble / Gould). Yes, the kickoff situation in the bowl game was flat out embarassing, but I think we should give the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt on this one.

by cpm126 on Feb 7, 2010 3:45 PM EST reply actions

But

Would you burn a redshirt just for kick off duties? That’s a tough call. I’m not sure I’d trade an extra 5 yards on KOs for one season for a full season with a 5th year senior kicker.

by gcdyersb on Feb 8, 2010 2:05 AM EST up reply actions