Five yards often sounds like 50 when college football coaches discuss a rules change that has had them working overtime on special-teams strategy in the off-season.
Teams will kick off from the 30-yard line, instead of the 35, under the new NCAA rule. No SEC coach is making light of those extra 5 yards.
“It’s going to be one of the most significant rule changes to come about in recent years, maybe in a decade,” Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said at SEC Media Days last month. “Very few teams will have a guy who can kick it into the touchback area or out of the end zone.
“You’re gonna see scoring averages go up because of the rules change. You’re gonna see a lot more gimmicks on kickoff coverage.”
Georgia might be as well prepared as any team from a defensive standpoint. That’s because assistant coach Jon Fabris, who handles their kick-coverage team, has always believed in directional kicking with height.
“I think now everybody will have to go into the season with that type of strategy,” said Richt, who, like the rest of the coaches, has been analyzing last year’s data.
“We returned 25 percent of the kicks last year,” Richt said. “This year, we predict we’ll be returning 75 to 90 percent.”
Brooks can foresee teams taking extreme measures to combat the returns.
“There may be some people that decide they want to kick it out of bounds and give it to the team on the 35-yard line, rather than kicking it deep and having a return out to the 40 or 45,” he said.
In a speed league like the SEC, the threat of a long return will loom large. That’s probably just fine with LSU coach Les Miles, who has two outstanding return men in Early Doucet and SEC sprint champion Trindon Holliday, who has run a school-record 10.02-second 100 meters.
“I think the return game is obviously exciting for us,” Miles said. “We think we’ll have great returners. If we can get a hat on a hat in the blocks, we have an opportunity to go get some yards.”
LSU won’t be the only conference team with great kick-return potential. The SEC’s top 10 kick returners from last season are all back. That includes Auburn’s Triston Davis, who led the league last year with a 27-yard average.
Also returning are Arkansas’ Felix Jones and Kentucky’s Keenan Burton, each of whom had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2006.
Said Miles: “On defense when you’re kicking it off, you better have a very talented, fast coverage core going down ready to tackle.”
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 40
snafu14u#241639 writes:
I can not imagine that the Vols will benefit from this rule change. In fact it's making my left eye twitch just thinking about it. Nothing good comes out of this for the Big Orange on either end.Time to get the prayer chain going on kickoffs. bonzaivol
inquiry writes:
"Back Deep to receive, Willie Gault"..
"He's running to the State Capital"..
I wish would could have a Willie Gault again this year..
hueypilot writes:
Special teams play, long a trademark of Vol teams has slipped badly in the last few years. We have managed to have good kickers but on the kick receiving side of the ball we have been woefully inadequate. I also think our kickoff coverage has been very suspect. Seems like a couple of years ago we started putting first line players back on kick coverage. Risking injury sure, but preventing the big play. Remember the Georgia return a couple of years ago that just broke out back when we had gotten back in the game. Again we have special teams coaching by committee, right? When no one is responsible, no one is accountable.
BobbyGraham writes:
i believe this rule change will benefit us greatly. i forsee us returning kicks all the way out to the 20 or 25 before we meet the entire kicking team ready to pounce on our return man. That's up a good 5 to 7 yards better than last years average.
volgrog#210164 writes:
Our special teams has been atrocious in defending kickoffs and punts. Georgia seems to have our number in a big way on returns. They've had at least 4 kickoffs/punts for touchdowns against us since Richt's been there. Two years ago, special teams got us beat at Florida as well.
If we don't buckle down on coverage, we'll lose a couple we shouldn't.
jweaver3#395614 writes:
with the speed we have coming in this could greatly benefit us, but our speed is young. I agree with eVOLution about O'Neal great speed,
also Berry and Paige have outstanding speed but not any experience in the SEC. It should be interesting.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
volfandambrosio#229657 writes:
WE'RE GOING TO FREAKIN' KILL CAL! Vols 34 Cal 17. Wait til you see all the burners we put on special teams. Cal's Jackson fumbles opening kickoff at the 3 after being popped by Kenny O'Neil. Two plays later, Foster dives over the top for six! ABC starts making comparisons to last year's 35-0 lead!
GreerVol22 writes:
We cant cover a kick off to save our souls. Return game for us looks promising , but we dont practice special teams like others do because Fulmers uses it to play 4th team seniors and such, always has. We are always out of our lanes and over pursuing and trying to uses our speed to run folks down from behind. Be honest, ask yourself if snafu's point is not spot on. Even the most loyal of Vol fans know that every kickoff is a sphincter tightening adventure.
BOASoldier writes:
msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7129018 - 113k check out what Fox Sports has to say about the cal defense
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Kick coverage we are pretty good. In last year's UGA game we did outstanding pinning them inside the 10 3 or 4 times in a row. It’s what got us back in the game in the second half after forcing some turnovers giving us a very short field. Then the ESPN crew commented on it and they took one back for a TD.
Punt coverage we are down right awful. If it wasn’t for the Colquitts legs we may have been even worse.
Our return game improved as the year went on. Hefney and Coker broke a few big ones. Our biggest fault is consistently muffing the ball and fielding punts too deep.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Theoretically, we could look at it this way: Its a game, played for fun, partly to entertain us fans, and one way or the other there's gonna be some thrills for somebody this year in the kicking game!
thevol writes:
Finally a subject to really be negative about and that's the best you got JW and Cr. Pathetic. Go Big Orange!
BOASoldier writes:
Ah yes the undercover BAMA fans have once again graced us with their presence.. thanks CRVol and jwraymond1 we were almost getting too optimistic and starting to enjoy the team that MOST of us love ... thanks for your insight ... both of you are truly rays of sunshine..
BOASoldier writes:
fact
–noun 1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
2. something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
Here is one for you
pes·si·mist
–noun 1. a person who habitually sees or anticipates the worst or is disposed to be gloomy.
2. an adherent of the doctrine of pessimism.
neg·a·tive
1. characterized by the absence of distinguishing or marked qualities or features; lacking positive attributes (opposed to positive): a dull, lifeless, negative character.
2. lacking in constructiveness, helpfulness, optimism, cooperativeness, or the like: a man of negative viewpoint.
how bout those definitions you eloquent rays of sunshine
BOASoldier writes:
now make sure you READ the definitions and see if they apply to each of you
read
1. to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of
BOASoldier writes:
It's ok if you have to be NEGATIVE again ... I'll have some diaper powder ready for you ... I know you little boys get cranky when you're wet... those diaper rashes hurt momma's babbies don't they
BOASoldier writes:
Suck it up son .. move on somewhere else where they actually care about your predictions cause they are all played out here... we've heard it all before. We'll wait for the games and then the TRUE fans can cheer on the wins ... I don't mind negative opinions but when you constantly get on here putting down the team and the coaches it gets old man ... how bout keeping your fingers off the keyboard til we see what happens.
thevol writes:
Cr- If special teams have been so bad then how is the punter the MVP? It's like saying you have a terrible bullpen but your closer is your MVP. That's just screwy logic, but what should I expect. Colquitt is a great punter and possibly a good kicker(haven't seen him kick). But, Hefney, Mayo, Mapu, Young, Ainge, Foster, would all have to be considered more valuable. Go Big Orange!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Was just reading about the South Carolina pecking chickens -- peckers, I'll call 'em -- and they were lamenting their return game with a kor avg. almost as bad as ours and their punt returns even worse.
thevol writes:
"Our special teams have been bad for several years in a row now and that my ignorant friend is a fact".
"Colquitt, by himself takes our shoddy special teams (50% decent to good production and 50% well below average) and makes it competitive at least."
So which one is fact Cr- Bad or competitive? Those two words contradict each other. Now your arguing with yourself.
Everyone agree's Colquitt is a great punter and we don't need him injured, he is just not MVP of the team. Go Big Orange!
BOASoldier writes:
It isn't the facts he spouts off that tick me off.... it's the fact that bad stats are all he ever shares. I mean everyonce in a while speak highly of the team you cheer for.
BOASoldier writes:
aren't you a psychologist or some kind of shrink? (honest question) not that I care ... just want to see if you can answer a question or make a statement without being sarcastic.
thevol writes:
Nice spin attempt Cr. Try volnation.com, they will argue with you all day.
What about James Wilhoit? He was an above average college kicker the last few years.18-21 last year is pretty damn good.
I agree our return game and coverage have been bad. But, the influx of speed from the freshman and JC players will make a big improvement. Can't wait to see McKenzie head hunt on coverage units. Go Big Orange!
thevol writes:
The spin was ignoring the quotes where you contradicted yourself.
Experience isn't as important on special teams, it is much more about speed and athleticism.
See I see the positive, you the negative. That's allright because this is all speculation anyway. Gotta go to work now, not seeing the positive in that right now though. Go Big Orange!
vol4jesus writes:
Guys of the negative persuasion, I agree facts cannot be disputed as ewe present them. Kudos for your accuracy in reporting. My continuing/ongoing problem with the post is that the glass is always half empty. Never half full. I agree it all appears to be negative even if factual. Can you find it in you to present a positive about 'our' beloved vOLS? I agree marc_ash that I don't have to read the drivel as previously stated. I guess I continue to do so thinking that just maybe once a little ray of sunshine might shine through in one of their post. Wishfull thinking I guess.
BOASoldier writes:
Mexican Death Penalty
Three women go down to Mexico one night to celebrate college graduation.
They get very drunk, and wake up in jail, only to find that they are to be executed in the morning, though none of them can remember what they did the night before.
The first one, a redhead, is strapped in the electric chair and is asked if she has any last words.
She says, "I just graduated from Trinity Bible College and believe in the almighty power of God to intervene on the behalf of the innocent." They throw the switch and nothing happens.
They all immediately fall to the floor on their knees, beg for forgiveness, and release her.
The second one, a brunette, is strapped in and gives her last words.
"I just graduated from the Harvard School of Law and I believe in the power of justice to intervene on the part of the innocent." They throw ! the switch and again, nothing happens.
Again they all immediately fall to their knees, beg for forgiveness and release her.
The last one (you knew it), a blonde, is strapped in and says, "Well, I'm from the University of Georgia and just graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and I'll tell ya right now, y'all ain't gonna electrocute nobody if you don't plug this thing in."
BOASoldier writes:
Actually it's more of a blonde joke but I'd probably change the university to whom ever I was speaking.... It was sent to me by a UGA fan and said UT
BOASoldier writes:
Point well taken marc_ash
BOASoldier writes:
There are so many more important things in this life than arguing and speculating on a College Football teams upcoming season ... regardless of the outcome ... GO VOLS!!!
volgrog#210164 writes:
I think the thing that has gotten lost in all this banter is that the Vols better work harder, longer, and most importantly, smarter than they have in the kicking game, or we will be in bad shape. The fact remains that punt and kickoff returns as well as other special teams gaffs have hurt us with FL, GA, AL losses in the last few years. Some teams, especially GA, have buried us with special teams repeatedly. I really hope that the coaches are focusing on this, or it will cost us a game or two.
AllVol writes:
I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have a few Vols in it. One can dish our stats until the cows come home. What do they mean? Stats have never won or lost a game. Not a damned one. CRVol, you seem and sound intelligent, but you sure don't sound like a fan. It just doesn't seem like it's much fun for you. I mean, you are for the Vols no matter what or you're not. How about just a plain old "Go Vols" once in awhile?
Peace from Chattanooga . . . . 10 days . . . .
vol4jesus writes:
Again naysayer.com aka crvol skips allvols final statements. I agree. sad to say you sound like an old grumpy man who has gone sour on everything in life. It doesn't sound like fun. Sounds like the Dems in congress...all doom and gloom.Are you for the Vols no matter what or not? Again that doesn't mean you have to be content with results...just support the Vols! Peace from South Carolina.
AllVol writes:
Bless you, vol4Jesus (even though I'm a Democrat). :) CR, you'd make a great Vandy fan. You could stew over those stats for hours and hours!
yeavols#228407 writes:
I missed it..what are ya'll arguing about? Yeavols has a beer in his hand waiting for kickoff..Only then will I know what's happening. =) YAHOOOOOOO
AllVol writes:
Never mind, yeavols. You've obviously got it figured out, my friend! Yahoo, indeed.
AllVol writes:
Well, I will have to say that I have neither the time nor the energy to spin stats, so yes, you will win the stats argument everytime. I'm not a coach--just a fan.
fryed004#518992 writes:
test
GreerVol22 writes:
volgrog, well put. what you said was not negative, not a tear down, just an honest opinion. I read again today that a lot of teams are copying the Georgia plan and kicking to a spot somewhere to the left side around the 10 yard line. I say the heck with that, put Pearl's basketball team on kick offs and on-side every kick. And for punts, just score, problem solved. How's that for optimisim boys?!
GreerVol22 writes:
I know, more like sarcasm, but their really isn't much difference is there? .....Dang it, there I go again.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Yeavols, try one of Louisiana's Abita Springs Turbodogs if you like dark beers at all. My favorite.
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