Other starters on Special teams this past weekend

[sss]

Lots of discussion of Barkley with the 2nd half kick return.
How about these (and these are just the ones I noted at the game):
Allen on the opening KO team.
Johnson and Charles on all KOs.
Bowen on a KO in 2nd half (not sure if he was in there for others).
Coach trying to send a message that STs are important?

 

[Ranger Dan]

It shouldn't be about sending a message, but about getting your best players on the field as much as possible. Special teams should not be a crumb thrown to lower depth chart guys who work hard in practice. It should put people in place that can make an impact. That said, the experience and technique required for special teams play may not be as demanding as in other offensive and defensive situations and younger guys can often make a earlier impact on special teams.

 

[klive]

Special teams ARE important. Alabama has their starting tailback on special teams. And guess what? He blocked an FSU punt! Some believe that you put your best players on the field. How many games have been won/lost on a special teams play?

 

[LemonEars]

Lots of discussion of Barkley with the 2nd half kick return.
How about these (and these are just the ones I noted at the game):
Allen on the opening KO team.
Johnson and Charles on all KOs.
Bowen on a KO in 2nd half (not sure if he was in there for others).
Coach trying to send a message that STs are important?

I think Franklin went into the Akron game intending to play mind games with Narduzzi. The Barkley kickoff return and the dual QB sets are a great example. Narduzzi now has more to think about and must prepare his inept team for more stuff. I predict that we will run a conventional game plan on Saturday and the pitters will not be ready because they will have spent time responding to Franklin's diversions.

 

[sss]

Coaches, thanks for letting me know STs are important. That was something I did not know. So why then is it not lined with all 11 defensive starters? Anyone remember Wartman-White getting hurt on STs against Temple two years ago?

 

[BisbeeMike]

Coaches, thanks for letting me know STs are important. That was something I did not know. So why then is it not lined with all 11 defensive starters? Anyone remember Wartman-White getting hurt on STs against Temple two years ago?

The irony of Nyeem's injury last year, was that it helped PSU become better at linebacker in the long run. Cam Brown for example, looks to be a greatly improved player this year, as does Koa Farmer.

 

[Judge Smails]

Coaches, thanks for letting me know STs are important. That was something I did not know. So why then is it not lined with all 11 defensive starters?

You want Parker Cothren covering kicks?

Franklin picks the 11 guys who are best at whatever the task is at hand. Some may be starters, some not.

 

[BisbeeMike]

It's going to be very very important this week, who is covering kicks. This week, it's priority ONE, in fact. Don't look for any slow walk ons or coaches favorites out there to cover Henderson, and look for Tyler Davis to directional kick away from him, and look for Blake Gillikin to angle his punts out of bounds also. All hands on deck. Don't let a one trick pony keep a dog in a game they don't belong in.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Coaches, thanks for letting me know STs are important. That was something I did not know. So why then is it not lined with all 11 defensive starters? Anyone remember Wartman-White getting hurt on STs against Temple two years ago?

I think the one consideration may be the percentage of snaps a starter gets and what is the talent and ability behind that guy. In Alabama's case, their "starting" RB is playing and making plays on special teams, but they have a bunch of 4 and 5 star guys behind him at RB. Playing a starting LB last year, when we were so thin at that position, may have been a bad idea. That said, BisbeMike made a good point about it resulting in the overall improvement of our LB group.

 

[GregInPitt]

It's going to be very very important this week, who is covering kicks. This week, it's priority ONE, in fact. Don't look for any slow walk ons or coaches favorites out there to cover Henderson, and look for Tyler Davis to directional kick away from him, and look for Blake Gillikin to angle his punts out of bounds also. All hands on deck. Don't let a one trick pony keep a dog in a game they don't belong in.

Special teams are really the only big concern that I see against pitt. Henderson is as good as anyone in the country, and Davis's KO's looked pretty weak . Landing near the goal line towards the sidelines.... We must not have a kicker that can consistently get it into the end zone. CJF obviously figured that out and is bringing in the kicker in the 2018 class..... but he won't help against pitt.

 

[sss]

The irony of Nyeem's injury last year, was that it helped PSU become better at linebacker in the long run. Cam Brown for example, looks to be a greatly improved player this year, as does Koa Farmer.

Except it was two years ago that he was hurt on STs. Last year he was hurt on defense. No more bitching about Barkley returning KOs, because you put out your best 11 and no more coaches favorites.

 

[Obliviax]

I think the one consideration may be the percentage of snaps a starter gets and what is the talent and ability behind that guy. In Alabama's case, their "starting" RB is playing and making plays on special teams, but they have a bunch of 4 and 5 star guys behind him at RB. Playing a starting LB last year, when we were so thin at that position, may have been a bad idea. That said, BisbeMike made a good point about it resulting in the overall improvement of our LB group.

I've got no problem sprinkling in starters in a timely and as-needed basis. I've got a problem with sending the franchise in to return kickoffs in a needless game when up 35-0. This is especially true when you may hand off to the guy 6 times out of the next ten plays after running a 30 yard gasser.

 

[LionJim]

You want Parker Cothren covering kicks?

I literally spit out my drink at that one.

 

[Madsol]

Except it was two years ago that he was hurt on STs. Last year he was hurt on defense. No more bitching about Barkley returning KOs, because you put out your best 11 and no more coaches favorites.

Not correct. He injured his knee last year against Temple during a punt return.

 

[sluggo72]

Lots of discussion of Barkley with the 2nd half kick return.
How about these (and these are just the ones I noted at the game):
Allen on the opening KO team.
Johnson and Charles on all KOs.
Bowen on a KO in 2nd half (not sure if he was in there for others).
Coach trying to send a message that STs are important?

lots and lots of teams have starters on ST, the pros do too. JVP used starters on ST. He figured why not have your best players out there, especially since many times they were doing against back ups!, if they needed a rest, rest them on O or D and let the back ups play some.

 

[TiredOldLion]

You all realize there was only one Kick-off to Penn State. If you practiced it you need to run it.

 

[interrobang]

Cabinda was out there, unless there's another 40

 

[artsandletters]

Special teams ARE important. Alabama has their starting tailback on special teams. And guess what? He blocked an FSU punt! Some believe that you put your best players on the field. How many games have been won/lost on a special teams play?

Star WR, Calvin Ridley, made a ST tackle.