DC and OF moving to HC

I've got to be honest here about starters on ST...

I get it, and yes some starters should probably be playing on ST's.... but good grief that doesn't
explain how bad our ST have been.

Starters.... we're talking 22 guys... lets be liberal and say we count 30 guys as starters (back and WR's that rotate in and out a lot, etc)...

So then we look at guys 31-50 on the roster.... If they aren't even good enough to give us solid ST's work, then why are they on the team? Okay... I know some are freshmen on the team for emergencies and experience, etc.... but dang. Plus I know we actually do use some of our "top 30" on ST...

It wasn't just the snapper, the slow punter, and an inability to catch. Even when we did catch the ball just fine, our kickoff returns and punt return averages were terrible. So we can't block on ST either. Average kickoff returns... tied for 107th in the nation. Average punt returns 122 in the nation at 2.9 yards per... (source ESPN 2013 NCAA team stats)

I agree with wlayton in that we need to do whatever it takes even if that means a ST of all starters, but I think it's more than just that. A lot more.

wlayton wrote:

BulldogShannon wrote: Bulldawg2010, agree with much you say.

The only thing I'll disagree a little on is the ST coach. From what I hear the main crap the ST coach would do is set time, place, overall philosophy, etc.

I hear that on campuses where they have a ST coach that is about all they do, they still use a few coaches to get the job done.

The only thing I would change is have CMR treat it like it's 1/3rd the game, use starters on ST, and make it a point of pride throughout the ADept. If he precahes it daily, speaks of it as much as he does off and def, it can get better.

I'll take a ST coach. But we can be good in ST whether we have one in title or not.

Tired of seeing guys making tackles at the 40 who don;t even have a name on their jersey.

JJ Green running down on kicks??? yes.
Brenden Douglas flying down on punt team? bring it.


Someone can help me hear if my memory is off, but wasn't it Thomas Davis getting hurt on special teams that stopped CMR from using them?

Can't remember if that happened with TD.

I also agree with you from the standpoint especially of playing starters and maybe making it a "tradition" of sorts....an honor etc.

I thought a couple of years ago when we were struggling on ST's covering kickoffs and punts, that CMR started using his starters and it DID improve quickly. Maybe he needs 11 starters out there.

Actually, this year the problems were more mechanical imo.....snapper problems, slow punter and a returner that can't catch the dang ball (totally a coaching screw up on that area....Davis dropped it during the season and in the bowl, two punts later they put Davis BACK in to receive another punt which fortunately was kicked away from him). Those should be easily correctable.

Yes...not rocket science though.....use experienced players.

Do believe he is using starters on special teams though but how many, I have no idea.

wlayton, the above is a damn good post. Pretty accurate.

Allow me this. I think the direction of the coaching staff has knocked the bottom out of the players. Meaning, I don't think the players really understand anymore, if they ever did. If that comes close to what you are saying, you make me proud with your post.

Wartdawg, believe that Pruitt mentioned (one time) that is all I can call up at this point that Special Teams need to be fixed . . . . without using those words. Will see if I can find the statement he made that I think was close to . . . . improving ST's.

Pruitt came to PLAY. He is making all of the right statements, but doing it in a "silent way". We, you and I and UGA need this. I said that, also.

Edit: Good, honest to the point talk going on here. AJC this is not.

Well... FSU was #1 in the nation in average KO returns, so hopefully he comes from
an environment where he at least has seen good ST output..

So he can come here and at least have a general idea about what we need to do to right
that aspect of our ship.

Yes Buc....while some mistakes were the player's fault......many were from the coaching end.

I remember sitting in the stands (and rain) during the Gator Bowl and as soon as I saw Davis back to receive the punt he fumbled, I started screaming at the coaches that he was going to drop the punt. Now if I knew that wouldn't you think at least ONE coach would have thought of that??????

THEN......they put him BACK in two punts later.....DUMB and UNACCEPTABLE.

Enough said....

consistent players on S/T with a consistent (FULL TIME S/T coach) will make or break your season. If the players are coached by a FULL TIME coach you will not have to play your starters on S/T. It is a known fact that the more attention you give the non starters and let them get on the field the better they become as players.

sigh