Hedley and Borregales are arguably the pest K-P combo in the ACC; perhaps top-10 K-P combo in the country. With these two veterans flipping field position and hitting longer range FGs, respectively, our Special Teams is much improved.
However, there is more to Special Teams. I break down Special Teams into 3 Phases:
(1) Kicking/Punting;
(2) Kick/Punt Retuns; and
(3) Miscelaneous Special Teams (Blocking Kicks/Punts, Recovering Onside Kicks, Fake FGs/Fake Punts).
Obviously, we are rock solid right now at (1).
What about (2) and (3)...?
Re: (2) - We had a punt return fumble against UAB which set up a UAB TD from inside the Redzone. I haven't seen us come close to breaking EITHER a Kickoff Return OR a Punt Return for a TD; we look weak/unsure with guys back there right now. Is Manny doing anything to address this obvious issue with Special Teams...? Haven't heard/read anything about today's practice concerning Special Teams return issues.
Re: (3) - Does this team aggresively practice blocking both punts and kicks? Guys like Sean Taylor (RIP), and some of our other great players, were household names as FRESHMEN making plays on Special Teams in way or another- that was the only way they could get on the field as Freshmen? Are there any underclassmen who standout right now as potentially breaking through as an impact Special Teams player...?
Special Teams will have more of an impact with these two games than against both UAB and Louisville, in my opinion.
Thoughts...?
However, there is more to Special Teams. I break down Special Teams into 3 Phases:
(1) Kicking/Punting;
(2) Kick/Punt Retuns; and
(3) Miscelaneous Special Teams (Blocking Kicks/Punts, Recovering Onside Kicks, Fake FGs/Fake Punts).
Obviously, we are rock solid right now at (1).
What about (2) and (3)...?
Re: (2) - We had a punt return fumble against UAB which set up a UAB TD from inside the Redzone. I haven't seen us come close to breaking EITHER a Kickoff Return OR a Punt Return for a TD; we look weak/unsure with guys back there right now. Is Manny doing anything to address this obvious issue with Special Teams...? Haven't heard/read anything about today's practice concerning Special Teams return issues.
Re: (3) - Does this team aggresively practice blocking both punts and kicks? Guys like Sean Taylor (RIP), and some of our other great players, were household names as FRESHMEN making plays on Special Teams in way or another- that was the only way they could get on the field as Freshmen? Are there any underclassmen who standout right now as potentially breaking through as an impact Special Teams player...?
Special Teams will have more of an impact with these two games than against both UAB and Louisville, in my opinion.
Thoughts...?
