Penn State Snowflakes: The Special Teams

Submitted by LSAClassOf2000 on

This will be the repository for your thoughts on sprecial teams and general hot takes regarding the special teams play for our game against Penn State.

Also, people have asked about it, so if you have rebranding ideas and want to call these threads, something else, I am listening. 

MGoBoard
Football

gbdub

September 24th, 2016 at 7:51 PM ^

Considering the issues we had with the first couple kickoffs, I think we wanted to avoid any screw ups giving PSU a quick score and chance to get back in the game. I don't think you plan for a 270 lb kicker to clothesline you, and Clark's injury was a non contact thing that could have happened any play.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 02/16/2010

MGoPoints: 26719

1WhoStayed

September 24th, 2016 at 10:02 PM ^

I thought the same thing. Maybe he's just looking for validation!?

But you play TO WIN. You don't manage your game to AVOID INJURY. Michigan rolls so many players in and out of the game that you see a lot of familiar names late in the game. They have to get reps so they are ready for - well, next week for example!

Freak injuries occur. We've been very lucky do far on the injury front overall.

As someone pointed out in another thread, this could have just as easily happened in practice.

Joined: 09/07/2015

MGoPoints: 11914

Ronnie Kaye

September 24th, 2016 at 7:29 PM ^

Do NOT have Peppers and Lewis on KO returns. KO returns are high-volume on injuries and they are far too valuable.

Joined: 05/09/2015

MGoPoints: 104

RobM_24

September 24th, 2016 at 7:36 PM ^

If you haven't noticed, Harbaugh gives zero fucks about redshirts and injuries. He's the ultimate believer in next man up. You can't cherry pick what you like and don't like about his methods. It sucks losing Clark, but playing guys like Clark on ST might be what opens those lanes for Peppers ... and using those meaningless reps in a blowout might be what makes them get one right against MSU or OSU when it really matters.

Joined: 01/27/2014

MGoPoints: 63440

UMinSF

September 24th, 2016 at 10:03 PM ^

Good special teams win so many games.  IMO it's criminal to underemphasize them.

Sure, there's some risk in using starters on ST, but I won't fault any coach for putting great athletes on the field for plays that by their nature require making plays in space.

Joined: 04/06/2009

MGoPoints: 18204

Richard75

September 25th, 2016 at 12:00 AM ^

Well put. If you were OK with the first-team O & D still being out there early in the 4th, then you should be OK with Clark still being out there on special teams. The reason U-M excels at special teams is they take it just as seriously as they do everything else.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 09/23/2008

MGoPoints: 5291