AreYouNuts

[cubuffsdoug]

Didn't we just talk about special teams and how if done right can steal games for you. Today was a great example of poor special teams playing a major role in costing Rutgers the game. I know you said depth is one reason, but you don't think the scheme played a role in the kick return for a TD? What's the issue with specialists and scholarships? Neither kicker or punter are on scholarship and it shows. Behind a QB, kickers are the next important player. You're not going to ask a quality QB to walk on, nor should you ask a kicker or punter.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

We've needed a new placekicker and punter from Day 1. Big problem. That being said - as I noted in another thread today - we lost because we went down 21-3 in the 1st quarter and, IIRC, none of that had to do with ST's. We need massive improvement, however, no question.

The KO return, not sure, haven't watch replay. Was it the scheme or did he just make the right moves and blow past people? Lord knows he left out kicker in his jock, lol, poor guy!

 

[tychicus]

apparently the kicker was supposed to kick it high with long hang time so they can Fair Catch it since the ST was tired. But his kick was a shitty low one that left the ST in a bad situation

 

[cubuffsdoug]

We've needed a new placekicker and punter from Day 1. Big problem. That being said - as I noted in another thread today - we lost because we went down 21-3 in the 1st quarter and, IIRC, none of that had to do with ST's. We need massive improvement, however, no question.

The KO return, not sure, haven't watch replay. Was it the scheme or did he just make the right moves and blow past people? Lord knows he left out kicker in his jock, lol, poor guy!

The field is 53 1/2 yards wide. The kick coverage was bunched up on half the field. Rutgers tried to kick the ball into the corner without success all year. The kick returner made a move and ran away from the bulk of the coverage. When the returner got to the far hash, Rutgers had on 2 defenders on that side to stop him. Meanwhile, the returner has 2 blockers. After that he had only the kicker to beat.

 

[Big East Beast]

Behind a QB, kickers are the next important player.

Do you honestly believe this?

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Do you honestly believe this?

Yes, 17 years of coaching and another 15 playing say so. It's much easier to find DB, receivers, linemen, etc., then it is for specialist. When you find one you grab him. NY Giants are thankful of having a quality kicker in the Super Bowl (1991). People around here miss Judge Ito now.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

The field is 53 1/2 yards wide. The kick coverage was bunched up on half the field. Rutgers tried to kick the ball into the corner without success all year. The kick returner made a move and ran away from the bulk of the coverage. When the returner got to the far hash, Rutgers had on 2 defenders on that side to stop him. Meanwhile, the returner has 2 blockers. After that he had only the kicker to beat.

Gotcha, thanks D!

 

[Knight Shift]

Do you honestly believe this?

Well, they are only necessary for XPs, Field Goals and field position battle. Not exactly small potatoes.

 

[formerlyknownasrutgers100]

If nuts was watching the psu game maybe he understands how important special teams are

 

[AreYouNUTS]

If nuts was watching the psu game maybe he understands how important special teams are

HUH???? I'm well aware how important ST's are which is why I'm so pissed off about the lack of speed and quality depth within this program right now. I've stated, over-and-over again this season, that this is VERY noticeable on ST's.

 

[RUSK97]

The field is 53 1/2 yards wide. The kick coverage was bunched up on half the field. Rutgers tried to kick the ball into the corner without success all year.

Watch this play again. Exactly this. Yes we don't have talent, yes they're slow. But the coaching is not helping. Clustering is something that good coaching can avoid.

Watch BTN final drive. The kid who returned that KO for a TD said in an interview that all the Rutgers players bunched up and he only had to avoid two players. I'm telling you. This is Okruch lack of coaching. Stay in your goddamn lanes.

 

[KeithK7624]

Watch this play again. Exactly this. Yes we don't have talent, yes they're slow. But the coaching is not helping. Clustering is something that good coaching can avoid.

Watch BTN final drive. The kid who returned that KO for a TD said in an interview that all the Rutgers players bunched up and he only had to avoid two players. I'm telling you. This is Okruch lack of coaching. Stay in your goddamn lanes.

This is one thing that I've noticed about the team all year is that there is no concept of lanes. From the time I was 10 through when I played in college, this was taught

 

[vkj91]

They were bunched BC the kicker was supposed to hit a wedge short to one side of the field and instead he hit a 2 iron to the opposite side.

 

[bac2therac]

and yet the game could have been won if the defense made a stand...on 3 and short they couldnt bring a guy down that should have been brought down near the first down marker, instead ran for an additional 10-12 yards and significantly turned a tough kick into basically a chip shot.

we can blame special teams all we want and yes they were horrible and contributed to the loss but RU had the lead despite that and was in postion to win the game with 90 seconds left..thats all you can ask for from a struggling team right now

 

[ru75]

Do you honestly believe this?

In Electric Football, kickers are more important that QBs.

 

[RUPartisan]

and yet the game could have been won if the defense made a stand...on 3 and short they couldnt bring a guy down that should have been brought down near the first down marker, instead ran for an additional 10-12 yards and significantly turned a tough kick into basically a chip shot.

we can blame special teams all we want and yes they were horrible and contributed to the loss but RU had the lead despite that and was in postion to win the game with 90 seconds left..thats all you can ask for from a struggling team right now

Your pointing to an individual play or "symptom" of the larger problem . They had amazing field position all day because of our special teams. The D played well enough to win. They were asked to overcome Gio turnovers and putrid specials.

 

[RUJMM78]

Fans always look for scapegoats when their team loses.Rutgers lost this game because of turnovers on offense,missed extra point ,kickoff for a touchdown,Gio injury,poor punts/kickoffs and the failure to make a stop on the last drive .It was a collective loss because each bad play has a potential impact on the final score.Rutgers has no margin for error which makes winning close games so difficult.

 

[koleszar]

apparently the kicker was supposed to kick it high with long hang time so they can Fair Catch it since the ST was tired. But his kick was a shitty low one that left the ST in a bad situation

Too boot he was supposed to kick it to the right. Everyone on the kickoff team ran right(re-watched) only a couple guys stayed left. They had to adjust to the kickoff.

Whoever our kickoff guy is not only can't kicked but he also appears to be hard of hearing. It's either that or he's a complete idiot. I'm hoping for the young man's sake he just needs a hearing aid.

In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter as teams are always one broken tackle away from breaking a big one on kickoff. Something is seriously wrong either scheme wise or coaching wise on kickoffs. It shouldn't be this hard, we shouldn't be talking about special teams gaffes week after week. You do and the coach needs to take responsibility.

 

[198hamilton]

Do you honestly believe this?

Ask Bobby Bowden. He lost at least two national championships because of his kicker. Remember "wide right" and "wide right 2"?

 

[ArminRU]

The kickoff return is a good example of why fans shouldn't make absurd claims before they know what happened. The kicker royally screwed us.