KO coverage team role in developing defense players

[BB73]

Didn't Nate Salley and Mitchell alternate starts or have quite the competition in 03? It could have been Donte and Mitchell, but I don't think so. Mitchell definitely started some games that year.

He did - see post #8 above.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

i believe a partial buckeye leaf is given to the player who reaches the endzone first.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

i believe a partial buckeye leaf is given to the player who reaches the endzone first.

Really? So, to get a full leaf they gotta get there twice, or 4 times, or whatever?

 

[808 Buck]

Special teams are a way to throw kids in the fire to see how they will react...for younger players, it can be viewed as a reward for hard work. The kickoff team is especially important as it can build immediate momentum or retain what is already rolling.

In addition to the above, I would add that at the high school level the specialization lines between offensive and defensive players are more blurred, dependent on your program's numbers. Regardless of position, you try to find guys who have speed, aren't shy when it comes to contact, and can tackle in space. Some guys just have a knack for slipping blocks and making tackles. I'll tell you what makes a great kickoff team - a kicker that puts the ball in the end zone consistently. That's where a guy like Huston will be missed (I haven't heard how Pretorious or Pettrey are doing on kickoffs). Bucknut11 made a great point about using starters on the punt team. Punt protection and punt coverage are absolutely critical to a team's success. Field position and momentum are up for grabs. Some people feel that the punt block is the most demoralizing play in football, and does anyone out there remember the feeling you had when Miami ran back that punt in the NC game? Anyway, that may be why you see the "best of the best" on the punt team. Back to the main topic, with the amount of talent and youth at LB and DB, the Bucks have a good shot at having a solid kickoff team.