Does anybody remember special teams?

#1

sonofajohn

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#1
Regardless of the fact that our offense could barely move the ball most of the season, we would have still gone 9-2 (like offensive-less Bama) had our special teams performed decently. Here are some of the more memorable 2005 special teams highlights:

Florida: Our returner fumbles, Florida goes 3 and out...AND KICKS A FG! Colquitt decides to fake a punt, Florida goes 3 and out...AND KICKS A FG! Wilhiot misses 35 yard FG. All told, a 9 point swing, we lose 16-7

Georgia: We are making a comeback, 13-7 UGA, Colquitt punts and it is returned for a TD. Georgia never looks back.

Bama: Lucas Taylor muffs a punt at the 50, Tide recovers, kicks a FG at the end of the 3rd Quarter, Bama 3-0. Bama goes on to win 6-3.

SC: Wilhoit misses a 48 yard field goal, SC's kicker hits a 49 yarder at the same end, from the same hash mark. We lose 16-15.

ND: Taylor fumbles the kick return, ND turns it into a 3 play 27 yard TD drive. Later, Zibikowski returns a punt for a TD. Definite 14 point swing, potential 21 point swing (big assumption that we have a TD drive if Taylor doesn't fumble.) We lose 41-21.

That is 4 games (at least 3 if you don't want to include the ND game) that our special teams played a critical role in losing the game for us. I agree that our offense was awful this season, but there have been plenty of great defenses that have overcome lackluster offensives. However, it is hard to win games when your opponent is getting points after going 3 and out.
 
#3
#3
You left out field position. With the exception of a few times, we had atrocious field position.
 
#4
#4
Originally posted by VolunteerHillbilly@Dec 15, 2005 12:48 PM
Why cry over spilled milk?  It's over.
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Because it's the off season and we have nothing else to talk about.
 
#5
#5
Originally posted by Orangewhiteblood@Dec 15, 2005 12:49 PM
Because it's the off season and we have nothing else to talk about.
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It just seems to be counter productive.
 
#6
#6
Originally posted by VolunteerHillbilly@Dec 15, 2005 12:50 PM
It just seems to be counter productive.
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Well, what would you like to talk about then? :dunno: Should we start another Tebow thread? :focus:
 
#7
#7
Until they get a coach in here that can focus on this, expect more of the same. The media's focus on the remaining hire is all on WR coach and nothing is mentioned on ST. We'll see if anyone addresses that any time soon.
 
#8
#8
Originally posted by CSpindizzy@Dec 15, 2005 2:01 PM
Until they get a coach in here that can focus on this, expect more of the same. The media's focus on the remaining hire is all on WR coach and nothing is mentioned on ST. We'll see if anyone addresses that any time soon.
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We don't have an exclusive special teams coach, and most programs don't. NCAA rules limit programs to 9 coaches. The only programs I know of that have special teams specialists are VT and FSU, and at UGA Richt places a lot of emphasis on special teams due to his past at FSU.
 
#10
#10
Originally posted by Orangewhiteblood@Dec 15, 2005 1:01 PM
Well, what would you like to talk about then?  :dunno: Should we start another Tebow thread?  :focus:
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Let's talk about Mustain some more. At least I can dream about having a good QB a little longer. Kind of like having a lottery tickets right before the draw the numbers.
 
#11
#11
Thank you. I know. That was my point. We don't and have suffered because of it. Whether it is a shared position or not, we've neglected the key aspect of the game that has killed us on numerous occassions. Those who do focus greatly on it win because of it.
 
#12
#12
Originally posted by VolunteerHillbilly@Dec 15, 2005 1:09 PM
Let's talk about Mustain some more.  At least I can dream about having a good QB a little longer.  Kind of like having a lottery tickets right before the draw the numbers.
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:lol:

I'm hoping that lotto ticket will cash in for the big prize. Mustain's teams of preference are all closing doors and we're still open so our odds are increasing.
 
#13
#13
Im a firm believer that National Championships are won with special Teams and Defense. On the other hand, as we all know this year you have to have a 0ffense that is at least mediocre. If our Offense had been even mediocre this yr we wouldn't be talking about this stuff or recruiting we would be discussing a BCS bowl game in January
 
#14
#14
Originally posted by ruslt@Dec 15, 2005 1:14 PM
Im a firm believer that National Championships are won with special Teams and Defense. On the other hand, as we all know this year you have to have a 0ffense that is at least mediocre.  If our Offense had been even mediocre this yr we wouldn't be talking about this stuff or recruiting we would be discussing a BCS bowl game in January
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One more touchdown could have given us 3 more wins. We'd be 8-3 rather than 5-6. Bama, USC, and Vandy were all lost by less than a touchdown.
 
#15
#15
Originally posted by sonofajohn@Dec 15, 2005 1:44 PM
Regardless of the fact that our offense could barely move the ball most of the season, we would have still gone 9-2 (like offensive-less Bama) had our special teams performed decently.  Here are some of the more memorable 2005 special teams highlights:

Florida:  Our returner fumbles, Florida goes 3 and out...AND KICKS A FG!  Colquitt decides to fake a punt, Florida goes 3 and out...AND KICKS A FG!  Wilhiot misses 35 yard FG.  All told, a 9 point swing, we lose 16-7

Georgia:  We are making a comeback, 13-7 UGA, Colquitt punts and it is returned for a TD.  Georgia never looks back.

Bama: Lucas Taylor muffs a punt at the 50, Tide recovers, kicks a FG at the end of the 3rd Quarter, Bama 3-0.  Bama goes on to win 6-3.

SC: Wilhoit misses a 48 yard field goal, SC's kicker hits a 49 yarder at the same end, from the same hash mark.  We lose 16-15.

ND:  Taylor fumbles the kick return, ND turns it into a 3 play 27 yard TD drive.  Later, Zibikowski returns a punt for a TD.  Definite 14 point swing, potential 21 point swing (big assumption that we have a TD drive if Taylor doesn't fumble.)  We lose 41-21.

That is 4 games (at least 3 if you don't want to include the ND game) that our special teams played a critical role in losing the game for us.  I agree that our offense was awful this season, but there have been plenty of great defenses that have overcome lackluster offensives.  However, it is hard to win games when your opponent is getting points after going 3 and out.
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:hi: You are exactly right my Friend and thank the Good Lord that it is finally over. Everytime the opponent punted to us, I wanted to hide my eyes in expectation of another fumbled punt. And when our guys actually caught one we got no yardage.

This was the worst Special Teams season since the Pre-Neyland Years. I remember when we Vol Fans could point to our team as the standard for nation in special teams.

Let's all get over this year and move on with joyous expectations.

:cross: :cross: :cross: :cross: :cross:
 
#16
#16
Originally posted by VolunteerHillbilly@Dec 15, 2005 12:48 PM
Why cry over spilled milk?  It's over.
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But somebody needs to look at all facets of what went wrong. There was an amazing collapse during the year for this team. It's imperative that coaches, media, fans, etc. look at the reality of the situation and see where they went wrong. We have all piled on the offense (for good reason) for their inability to score and the turnovers. But often teams with bad or mediocre offenses can make up for it with solid defensive play. But, teams with devastating special teams play lose ballgames regardless. When you fumble a kick-off you give up 3 points at a minimum. At least when the offense fumbles at mid-field the opponent has to earn the score by making a couple of first downs to get into fieldgoal range.

This team was in chaos this year. Every phase of their game should be picked apart for this collapse. To have started the season ranked third in the nation and squandered it to end up with a losing record in inexcusable.

All the team's coaches in all areas have dutifully earned a rectal exam with a microscope.
 
#17
#17
Speaking from a point of view that's seen lots of bad play, when your Special Teams play like Special Ed, you have a big, big problem.

Kentucky came off a dismal 2-9 campaign in 2001 with little hope for improvement, given the restrictions of probation. However, that' team went 7-5 in 2002 (shoulda been 8-4 minus the Miracle in the Bluegrass) was helped in large part by special teams.

Punter Glen Pakulak's 45.6 yard average was good for 3rd in the country.

All-American Derek Abney ran back 4 punts for touchdowns, and 2 kickoffs for touchdowns.

The Special Teams did not give up a single touchdown all year, nor did they turn it over all year.

Good special teams play gives your team great field position, it can turn the tide of a game, which affects the overall tone of a season.

You just can't ignore it.
 
#18
#18
Originally posted by sonofajohn@Dec 15, 2005 3:14 PM
Regardless of the fact that our offense could barely move the ball most of the season, we would have still gone 9-2 (like offensive-less Bama) had our special teams performed decently.  Here are some of the more memorable 2005 special teams highlights:

Florida:  Our returner fumbles, Florida goes 3 and out...AND KICKS A FG!  Colquitt decides to fake a punt, Florida goes 3 and out...AND KICKS A FG!  Wilhiot misses 35 yard FG.  All told, a 9 point swing, we lose 16-7

Georgia:  We are making a comeback, 13-7 UGA, Colquitt punts and it is returned for a TD.  Georgia never looks back.

Bama: Lucas Taylor muffs a punt at the 50, Tide recovers, kicks a FG at the end of the 3rd Quarter, Bama 3-0.  Bama goes on to win 6-3.

SC: Wilhoit misses a 48 yard field goal, SC's kicker hits a 49 yarder at the same end, from the same hash mark.  We lose 16-15.

ND:  Taylor fumbles the kick return, ND turns it into a 3 play 27 yard TD drive.  Later, Zibikowski returns a punt for a TD.  Definite 14 point swing, potential 21 point swing (big assumption that we have a TD drive if Taylor doesn't fumble.)  We lose 41-21.

That is 4 games (at least 3 if you don't want to include the ND game) that our special teams played a critical role in losing the game for us.  I agree that our offense was awful this season, but there have been plenty of great defenses that have overcome lackluster offensives.  However, it is hard to win games when your opponent is getting points after going 3 and out.
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Kind sir, please support your post with statistics. :eek:lol:  :eek:lol:  :eek:lol:

 

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