Daily's Rohan gives '10 Special Teams a "C" - I give Rohan an "F"

Submitted by jtmc33 on
http://www.michigandaily.com/content/2010-football-season-preview-speci… Reading this article my first thought was... "sounds about right" considering unproven rookie Punters, Kickers, and Return Specialists (!?!?!?). But wait - We don't have an uproven "rookie" kick returner. He completely forgets about Stonum and his 2009 record setting year and proven ability to return kicks all the way. He states: "Any production in the return game would be a plus over what Michigan has received as of late." For punts he is 100% correct... but for kickoffs a repeat of 2009 would be a huge success. Not good work

WichitanWolverine

July 23rd, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^

"I've been at the practice facility a couple times the last few weeks and I've seen some of the ST guys working out. Two things: First, hagerup has more jump off his foot than I've ever seen -- even including our beloved Zoltan. He is really impressive, and not only booms the ball, he also gets spirals almost every time. Second, after watching him kick some field goals, I would not be surprised at all if he's our kicker this fall, too. He looks a LOT better than any of the guys I saw at the Spring Game." 

Hang 'er up there, Hagerup!

jamiemac

July 23rd, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^

Mike Gillette was the last guy who handled duel punting and field goal kicking chores, circa 1986-1988, if memory holds. He was also was a starter in baseball, but am drawing a blank of the postion. Catcher, iirc.

But this would be an interesting develop. Something to watch for in August. Man, if he could do it all in the manner of the Steve Swank kid at WF a couple years back, wed have a great weapon the next 4 years.

BlockM

July 23rd, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^

I would probably also give our ST a C at this point. (This point meaning that I have no idea whatsoever, because all I've seen is the spring game punting debacle.)

jtmc33

July 23rd, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^

Yes, but you would give UM Special Teams a "C" after considering all the ACTUAL special teams players.... then who could argue with your opinion  (but for 50% of MGoExperts, of course).

It's not the grade he gives that I am at issue with... it's the lack of information that leads to that grade. 

coldnjl

July 23rd, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^

With unproven kickers and punters, as well as a return game outside of stonum that leaves something to be desired, I would say a C is generous. I mean Gibbons has had mixed reviews and we are desperate for hagerup, a true freshman, to take the punting job. Yeah, now that I think about it, our special teams is at least a B+

Hail-Storm

July 23rd, 2010 at 3:10 PM ^

He appears to have a decent leg (no not nearly as good as Zoltan), but because of his obvious talents in throwing the ball, defenses/punt returners would always have to defend against the pass or run, or at minimum keep it in the back of their mind. This might help in reducing the amount of punt returns.

Does anyone know who is going to be our punt returner.  I love having a leathal return guy, ala Stevie Breaston, but would trade a shifty guy with questionable hands for a steady handed fair catch guy any day. We have had way more drops on punts than I can remember.  This season our offense should be potent enough that a good punt return is not necassary, while a turnover could mean the difference in a win or loss.

umjgheitma

July 23rd, 2010 at 3:18 PM ^

He could do a dead sprint to the sidelines then stop on a dime and cut back to the middle of the field causing like 5 defenders to over-persue. Here's hoping Gallon can turn into a McCluster type returner. 

big gay heart

July 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^

Hmmm...regardless of how the author came up with the ST score (and, notwithstanding the fact it's absurd to "grade" something that has yet to occur), I would have probably given UM a score lower than a C. Reasons? Reasons: (1) Turning the ball over at the pace they've done the last two years (especially in the punt return arena) has really, really, really hurt the team. This needs to be corrected. However, none of the guys currently on the roster have shown any real signs of becoming consistent punt return specialists; (2) Who is going to kick field goals? I'm scared; (3) Punting is also an issue, how it pans out is anyone's guess.

Stonum is good , but are a couple of TDs and a random number of nice returns enough to wipe out the above factors? Idk.

Tater

July 23rd, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^

Writers like Andrew (Andy) Reid don't grow on trees.  I think Reid spoiled Daily readers by doing work that was better than the "professional" MSM writers on the same beat and that it will take any inexperienced writer awhile to approach his level.   I think I'll give Rohan an "incomplete" for now.  I want to see how he looks in about October, when he has had, say, seven wins and one loss to write about.

jrt336

July 23rd, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^

I would give us a C rating too. Sure Stonum is a great KR, but we have a totally unproven kicker and punter, and we can't seem to HOLD ON TO THE DAMN BALL on PRs.

PhillipFulmersPants

July 23rd, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^

his record setting year ... I like him back there. Good returner, but I'm hoping he comes nowhere near the yardage he put up last year. We got kicked off to a lot. Many fewer opportunities, please, defense. Thanks.

UNCWolverine

July 23rd, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^

why are you letting this guy/article get you so worked up? I stopped reading preseason babble when I was old enough to understand that their job is to get you fired up so more people will read/buy this crap.

I didn't even care about the Freep crap until I realized it could result in actually hurting the program.

Let is slide off you back brother.

bluesouth

July 23rd, 2010 at 4:53 PM ^

you give a grade and there have been no games played?? That's like givieng a kid a grade for getting dressed for school.  I know it's the off season but a grade for practice?

 

Now get off my lawn!!

UMxWolverines

July 23rd, 2010 at 5:18 PM ^

It would be nice to have a solid guy that returns punts like Steve Breaston. Correct if I'm wrong, but I don't think we had a punt returned for a touchdown last year.