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2009 tOSU Special Teams discussion (official thread)

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2009 tOSU Specialists discussion (official thread)

This is probably one of the best run units in college football. We haven't had a bad kicker or punter since JT has been here. Watching a midweek CUSA, MAC, WAC game just shows how great our snapping and kicking game has been.
 
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I don't mean to slam Pretorious (sp?) but I always thought Pettrey was the better kicker. He just gets more lift on the ball and the notion that he's not as accurate as Ryan kind of Myths me as well? Here's to Pettrey going out strong in 09'!
 
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DaytonBuck;1390729; said:
This is probably one of the best run units in college football. We haven't had a bad kicker or punter since JT has been here. Watching a midweek CUSA, MAC, WAC game just shows how great our snapping and kicking game has been.
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Agree with that as far as the kicking and snapping go but I'm at a complete loss why we have been down in the 100's at KO return the past two years.

I know we don't do it alot and all that but seriously, when we do return a kickoff why aren't we any better at it?
 
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CPD
Ohio State football: There's always time to talk kicking

by Doug Lesmerises Thursday April 02, 2009, 4:19 PM


medium_Pettrey-PSU.jpg
APAaron Pettrey, the undisputed Ohio State kicker this season
Yeah, I asked about it, and it wasn't an April Fool's joke. Reporters were given just over an hour with Jim Tressel on Wednesday, and I worked in a kicker/punter question. Consider it a gift to Tressel, special teams guru.
Cont...
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Per JT:

PR: Small, with Posey, Torrence, and Sanzenbacher

KR: Flash and Saine; also Jackson and Herron

Ozone

"Aaron Pettrey I think can be an extraordinary kicker," said Tressel.
"He had a good off season, trimmed down, lost eight or nine pounds, really looks good. It will be an interesting battle with Devon Barclay and Ben Buchanan to see who might be the next one who can battle with Aaron."​

The punting situation is a different story. There isn't a whole lot of returning experience at the punter position.​

"From a punting standpoint, Jonathan Thoma has the most experience, but Ben Buchanan is going to have a chance to compete," said Tressel.​

Thoma, a fifth-year senior, has seen very limited game action in his Buckeye career. Buchanan is redshirt freshman who comes to OSU with a big rep as both a punter and place kicker.​

OSU struggled at times in the return game last year, and reps are to be had with the departures of Brian Harline and Brian Robiskie.​

"Ray (Small) would be the lead guy in the punt return world," said Tressel.​

"You've also got DeVier Posey and Devon Torrence and Dane Sanzenbacher and some guys who have always been interested in being back there but we had some people ahead of them.​

"Back on kick return, probably Lamar (Thomas), Brandon Saine, James Jackson is in new now and he's a kick return guy. Boom Herron can always be back there as well."​
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NFBuck;1443360; said:
Yeesh, doesn't he take enough punishment? :ohwell: I'm not crazy about the idea of Boom returning kicks either, but I'm not a coach...
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I agree, Dane lets it all hang out and has some talent in the open field, but he takes some monster hits.

At least we seem to have good depth in the backfield if Boom is used to return kicks, Saine (hopefully fully healed up and fast as ever) Berry and Hyde and the big kid from Glenville (Martin?) provide good depth if Boom gets dinged, it's nice to have some quality people to plug in (I sure hope it's quality, completely green except for Boom and Saine though)
 
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OSU Football Insider: Buckeyes armed with good kickers
by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter
Saturday April 11, 2009

COLUMBUS -- Jim Tressel, master of the punt, is looking for a punter. A.J. Trapasso is the only four-year starter Ohio State is replacing, so Jon Thoma and Ben Buchanan are names Buckeyes fans need to get to know.
Thoma, a fifth-year senior, is slightly ahead of redshirt freshman Buchanan, based mostly on experience. Friday's kick scrimmage at Ohio Stadium was fought basically to a draw with both averaging around 40 yards per punt and booming several 50 yards when pinned back at the 1-yard line.

Two good options -- because can you imagine Tressel without a punter he can trust?

"He'd probably go out and recruit one real fast," Buchanan said. "But we didn't have one in the '09 class, so I think we're doing OK."


For the previous three seasons, Aaron Pettrey and Ryan Pretorius provided intriguing kicking battles, at times handing the job back and forth and other times sharing it. Now, as Pettrey joked, "I'm not battling the old man anymore," so he is the guy on field goals and kickoffs with Pretorius graduated. Tressel holds high expectations, saying before the start of spring practice that Pettrey could be "extraordinary."

He was 10 of 11 on Friday, not including two that were blocked, missing only wide right from 53 yards but nailing one from 57.

"He could always hit the long field goals," said grad assistant Chad Rogosheske, who coaches the kickers. "With the ones you should make, we weren't always getting the consistency we wanted."

That consistency should be there now. It's needed in the punt game as well, especially from Buchanan, who is both punting and kicking while the Buckeyes continue to figure out what he does best. Eventually he'll focus on one, but not yet.

"If they choose to steer me in one direction or another, I'm fine with that," Buchanan said. "I'm a team player."

First Tressel must find his punter. After that, everything else can work itself out.
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OSU Football Insider: Buckeyes armed with good kickers - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball News - cleveland.com

Position breakdown
Saturday, April 11, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Dispatch beat reporters Ken Gordon and Tim May will analyze each position group on the Ohio State football team during spring practice. Today:

Specialists
• Key losses: P A.J. Trapasso, K Ryan Pretorius

• Key returnees: K Aaron Pettrey, LS Jake McQuaide, PR Ray Small, KOR Lamaar Thomas

• Time to step up: P Jon Thoma, P/K Ben Buchanan

• What it was: Its usual solid self. The Buckeyes ranked in the top 10 nationally last year in net punting as well as covering kicks and punts. Ray Small was No. 8 nationally on punt returns, averaging 15.2 yards, including an 80-yard return and a 69-yard touchdown return. As in 2007, though, kickoff returns were a weakness -- OSU averaged 19.2 yards, 108th nationally (out of 119). The field goal duties were split between Pretorius (15 of 19) and Pettrey (7 of 8).

• What it might be: Potentially even better, if Thomas can juice the kickoff returns. He averaged 21.6 yards last year once he took over the job. Devon Torrence, DeVier Posey and James Jackson are among other kick-return candidates. Pettrey has a lock on the kicking spot and has looked very good in practice. Thoma has a slight edge on Buchanan at punter, and the close competition is helping both players.

• What they're saying: "Aaron Pettrey, I think, can be an extraordinary kicker. He really had a good offseason -- trimmed down, lost eight or nine pounds (and) really looks good." -- coach Jim Tressel
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http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...on11.ART_ART_04-11-09_C8_L8DHAAN.html?sid=101
 
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Specialists

SPOTS LOCKED UP (2): Kicker Aaron Pettrey, long-snapper Jake McQuaide

It took Pettrey nearly five years - enduring gray-shirting, injuries and a benching - to have the job all to himself for a full year. He looks confident and ready. McQuaide did a fine job last year, and has two more years ahead of him.

SPOTS UP FOR GRABS (1): Punter

There is serious competition here for the first time in five years. A.J. Trapasso is gone. Fifth-year senior Jon Thoma has been Trapasso's top backup for a few years now, and probably has the edge for the job. But redshirt freshman Ben Buchanan should give him a run, at least.

BACKUPS AND OTHERS:

Buchanan also is a placekicker. Devin Barclay is the other kicker on the roster. There are two backup snappers listed: Patrick Howe and Gar Chappalear.


CAMP COMPETITION FACTOR: (1 to 10:) 3

OK, there's something of a punting competition. But outside of the Buchanan, Thoma and Jim Tressel households, is that truly exciting to anyone?
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Camp preview: Defensive backs and specialists (Blogging the Buckeyes)
 
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