Special Teams - Blocked Kicks - Burnt Orange Nation

Special Teams - Blocked Kicks

by GoHorns on Nov 13, 2007 9:46 AM CST Comment 6 comments

Cheesehorn's diary got me thinking. Yes, the kick return is a problem. Why has nothing been mentioned about the effort we are not giving on Blocking kicks this year? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember a single block this year. Much is made of how Texas leads the nation since 2000 in blocked kicks, but NONE?!!

Whenever I post a diary, I try to be thoughtful, so I tried to counter my arguement:

We don't have Brian Robison or Michael Griffin anymore.

So? Yeah, they blocked a lot, but they weren't here since 2000. Where's the drop off?

It could be a coaching philosophy. We don't know why they aren't blocking kicks

True, this could be a change in philosophy. But Mac Duff was supposed to be this Special Teams Wizard. I'm not seeing it.

Teams could be aware that we have an exceptional kick blocking unit and are taking steps to prevent the blocked kicks.

We're not even attempting to block kicks! We can't block them if we don't try.

What am I missing? Why have we not only not blocked a kick, but it appears that we are not even trying?

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Comments

Lack of elite talent in teh secondary.

This year has been a temporary dropoff in talent in the secondary. Brandon Foster, Erick Jackson, and Ryan Palmer are not Tarell Brown, A-Ross, or Michael GRiffin. Not by any stretch. But the fellas behind them, Chykie, Curtis, Deon, Christian and Ben certainly can be. Not to mention Aaron Williams and DJ Monroe as well. Starting next year, I think we'll see a big improvement in our defense..and ultimately in kick-blocking as well.

I've heard Aaron Williams is somewhat of a specialist

My adopted son Sergio Kindle does not sleep; he waits.

by mvplonghorns on Nov 13, 2007 9:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Re:

There's really been no concerted effort to block punts and field goals. Most of the time, the defense is willing to play for the return and fake field goal defense, respectively.

Why, I have no idea. Whatever MacDuff is thinking, it's not working.

My adopted kid is pure genius at the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

by jc25 on Nov 13, 2007 10:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

definitely not working

it seems like he's sacrificed block attempts for return coverage, but the return coverage is terrible. I would have liked to see at least 2 all-out jailbreak attempts at a blocked kick per game this season. Put Beasley and one of the C. Browns on the edges, and Kindle, Muck, and Houston up the middle. What's the worst that could happen? A fair catch?

atsmahboy Kelson

by BigTexBD on Nov 13, 2007 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Blocked punts

I always wince when we go after a punt... ever since that 2001 Big XII Championship game against Colorado that we would have won if not for the roughing the kicker call at the end.

by Texas Wahoo on Nov 13, 2007 12:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

good point...

undisciplined/young secondary guys who misjudge their angles on Kick/Punt blocking attempts can cost you big...there is a fine art to this that the guys we have in there now are NOT up for.

I also agree this is a temporary diversion from that philosophy and several of our guys have improved a great deal in coverage since the beginning of the season when I'd see Foster and Beasely lining up 10+ yards off their guys and still get beat deep!!! Next year we not only should but will be back in the mix and Duff Man should be bringing the noise big time!

by longhornJ on Nov 13, 2007 1:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'd like to blame it on talent level...

in those DBs. They've really made tremendous strides in the coverage and tackling department, but you have to have a nose for the ball in order to go get it. Aaron Ross, Michael Griffin, Cedric Griffin, Michael Huff, Nathan Vasher, DJ....all those guys were ball thieves. They had a way of just getting in there and getting after the ball. They gave that extra effort when you weren't paying attention to get the ball from you.

I think it's the same problem we have on take aways. Our DBs don't FORCE turnovers, and they don't seem to GO GET the ball. Hopefully next year, we'll get back to normal.

-flo

by bleed burnt orange on Nov 14, 2007 2:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs