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| Time to start rolling out the 2011 USF football primer, starting with special teams. |
Over the past few weeks, we have been talking about our famous 2011 USF football primer and when it would be launched, well the wait is finally over and the primer is being released or at least pieces of it slowly for now.
The first part that will be released in the 2011 Special teams primer. The kicking and punting game is always key for any team and the Bulls with JBK, Bonani, and Lindsey Lamar returning kicks, gives the Bulls a solid unit. Check out the primer and learn the key names on the Bulls roster that will make an impact this season. [keep reading]
Special Teams
Projected starters: The Bulls have a clear place kicker coming out of the Spring practices. 5-9 191-pound junior Maikon Bonani is the starting place kicker for the Bulls. Bonani won the battle last year over then senior Eric Schwartz and finished the season 17 of 21 in field goal attempts and averaged 64.8 yards per kick off, including 6 touchbacks. It was his first full season back after his bad back injury forced him to miss the season before. Now with a full season under his belt, look for Bonani to become even better in the kicking game and should help anchor a veteran special teams unit.
6-3 214-pound freshman Chris Veron is listed on the Spring depth chart as the starting punter, winning the job over 5-9 191-pound junior Justin Brockhaus-Kann who was the Bulls starting punter last season. JBK finished the season averaging 37.6 yards per punt, including a long of 57 yards. JBK has been dealing some back issues and was not consistent enough coming out of the Spring, but expect him to battle for the starting job with Veron when the Fall camp begins.
5-10 214-pound senior Mike Walsh is listed as the long snapper and has done a solid job at the position for the Bulls over the past few seasons. It may not appear in a big media guide, but long snapper is a very important job and the Bulls are glad to have Walsh snapping the ball.
Other players to watch are 6-2 248-pound long-snapper Corey Schomp, 6-2 225-pound junior long-snapper Archibald Ryan, 6-foot 191-freshman kicker Marvin Kloss (the back up to Bonani), and 5-10 191-pound senior kicker Ian Kitchell.
The punt return and kick off return positions are still up for battle with several players getting chances to return and the same will be this season. Look for Lindsey Lamar, Terrence Mitchell, and other speedy players to get a chance to show their speed with the ball in their hands. Lamar was the main weapon in the kickoff return game last season, but missed the Spring recovering from shoulder surgery. Mitchell could return punts but will be focusing his efforts at wide receiver more this season.
Watch Out For: Battle for punter. JBK has the ability to win the job, but he will have to prove himself to the coaches in the fall and beat freshman Chris Vernon who continues to show his strong leg.
Strength: Experience. Bonani, Walsh, and JBK are all veteran players that have played extensively of the Bulls and should help the Bulls make solid special teams plays all season and keep the team alive in the battle for field position. If the offense struggles again out of the gate, the special teams will become even more of a factor.
Weakness: Returner. Lindsey Lamar missed the Spring and now that Terrence Mitchell has moved to wide receiver full time, the Bulls don’t have a designated returner that can line up every time for a kickoff. Holtz and staff will have to mix and match their players in order to find the best option to return kicks.
Outlook: Overall, the special teams unit is solid. The Bulls have depth and solid veteran leaders at both kicker and snapper. The punter situation will push all the players to their best and the unit should be strong and help the team win games.
Rating: 8
Veron!
ReplyDeleteHow is returns a weakness? Mitchell was a freshman all-American and Lamar was Big East special teams player of the year. Makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteLamar missed all of Spring, could be rusty. Mitchell did have trouble catching the ball at times and moving to receiver could mean less time at returner, which begs the question, who else would return punts then? The unit is solid all around, so it isn't a huge weakness but something to wonder about.
ReplyDeleteI think it's early to assume Mitchell wont be returning punts full time. He's proven himself to be one of the best in the nation at it. I doubt Skip would take that away from the team. Unless he breaks out as a receiver we can't live without, which I'm not sure will happen.
ReplyDeleteYou might have something with Lamar being rusty, but I wouldn't think he and Mitchell make up a weakness on special teams. They we're clearly strengths last year. I'd have to say they'll continue leading the charge.
You raise a good point with T-Rex and the ultimate decision goes to Holtz and who he feels gives the team the best option in returns. This is all based out of Spring ball, a lot will change in the Fall of course.
ReplyDeleteplus you have to remember Derrick Hopkins aka "The Flea" may be another option to return kickoffs... @5'5" he might be able to slip through coverage
ReplyDelete