2008 Special Teams

Submitted by BlueBlood on
Is it just me or is Michigan's special teams much more exciting and aggressive than they ever were at any point under Carr? A side from some Donovan "F*%k fair catches" Warren, I have loved our special teams. I can't remember a single blocked punt or field goal, or fake punt under Carr. Under RichRod we constantly go after the punter, and have gotten there a few times already. I love this more aggressive attitude the coaching staff has shown. Those are plays that turn games around or puts the nail in the coffin. It reminds me of the way Virginia Tech plays on special teams, and gets me excited about the future under RichRod.
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mjv

September 15th, 2008 at 11:31 PM ^

Blue Blood -- in 2001, marquis walker had a number of blocked kicks.  I can't recall many fake kicks under Carr or Moeller.  The two most memorable fake kicks I can remember were the Gilette fake punt against MSU (probably in 1988) and the fake punt in the 1990 Rose Bowl (Bo's last game) against USC that was brought back by a BS holding call.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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M - Flightsci

September 15th, 2008 at 11:42 PM ^

It's just you, BlueBlood.  Special teams were always exciting under Carr because it was always fun betting on if we get our own FG/punt blocked or not.

Any excitement is due to Zoltan, who used an opportunity called 4th and 2 to teach McGuffie how to run.   I got his autograph after the Utah game and told him he is my hero... he shook his head at me.  I will never sell that hat.

Donovan never learned the fair catch, comin' straight outta compton because nothing is fair in South Central LA.  Er something like that.

 

 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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chitownblue (not verified)

September 16th, 2008 at 4:01 PM ^

In 2001, we blocked at least 3 punts and more than 5 field goals/extra points. God knows why the spike. I do remember that Walker had virtually all the punts.

And yes, Lloyd has run fake punts by direct-snapping to the up-back, and I even remember a fake field goal vs. PSU where the holder (Feely) tried to run for the first. That was a bad play.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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Hannibal.

September 16th, 2008 at 4:03 PM ^

Lloyd's teams would have horrible special teams for about a month and then they would have some weird anamalous game where they would block a kick and return another one for a touchdown.  Then they would go back to sucking agian.  I'm hoping long term that Michigan's special teams will be better than they were in the Carr era.

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

baleedat

September 16th, 2008 at 4:23 PM ^

i really like the rugby punt (punt option essentially?) on 4th and short. if there is room, run it; if there isn't, kick it away. don't see any real down side to that play.

i also like that they go for the punt block often, but would like to see them block some guys every now and then...see what these freshmen can do.

Joined: 07/10/2008

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mjv

September 17th, 2008 at 11:25 AM ^

I'm not sold on the rugby punt.  I believe that it greatly increases the likelihood of a shank and a blocked kick.  I may also be very biased after the 2003 Iowa game where the spread punt formation basically led to us blowing that game, where we were winning 14-0 out of the blocks.

I'm glad it worked, but i get nervous everytime I see it.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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GCS

September 17th, 2008 at 11:44 AM ^

The problems with the rugby punt in that Iowa game had more to do with them trying to half-ass it. They installed it in a week's time, and I'm sure it wasn't a point of focus during the week. So, not only did they have people not quite blocking it correctly, but the punter (whoever it was, I forget) didn't know how to recognize when to punt it. He ended up running (slowly) for five seconds before he realized he was screwed, and tried to kick it.

This team has been practicing this punt formation since the spring. It's they only formation they've practiced. I'm sure they've spent a lot of time teaching Zoltan how to read the blocking. He take about 3-4 steps and makes a decision, leaving him plenty of room if he's kicking. The one time he took off, he sprinted for the first down line without hesitation.

Don't let one coach's poor attempt at it sour you on the concept forever.

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mjv

September 17th, 2008 at 11:58 AM ^

GCS -- I think that you make a valid point about the amount of practice in the formation for the 2008 team versus the 2003 Iowa game.  I just need to see the play work (not the fake part, but rather decent punts without the block risk) on a regular basis to get comfortable seeing it. 

I am also concerned that it will limit how well our punts kick the ball, reducing total yardage.  I have seen no stats on that to know if my concern is justified, I am just assuming that a punter will kick better with a set number of steps and kicking versus the less consistent soccer-style approach to the kick.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3656

GCS

September 17th, 2008 at 12:12 PM ^

I'd have to see official stats to confirm this, but I imagine that, while the punts will be shorter, the extra confusion over preventing a fake coupled with a low punt that is unfieldable and will roll for extra yardage should keep net punting close to the same.

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