6. Special Teams: Up for grabs except at punter?
Greg's Take--What we're accustomed to being a very stable part of the team is suddenly in doubt. Just think how spoiled we have been for the last 4 years: Kevin Kelly 4 year starter, Derrick Williams 3 year return specialist, etc. Sure the Nits return punter Josh Boone, but even Boone should be pushed by Sophomore Ryan Breen whose leg is clearly stronger than Boone's. In the end, Boone WILL and SHOULD keep his job barring injury simply because he earned it, he proved it, and he's reliable. The coaches can trust Boone. But that's more than I can say about Kicker and Return Specialists.
At kicker, walk-on Collin Wagner is in-line to take over for Kevin Kelly, but hot-shot Freshman Anthony Fera (who was highly recruited and enrolled early in January) is the only scholarship kicker on the roster. Fera clearly has the stronger leg and higher potential, but Wagner is a senior who is, like Boone, the more reliable option at this time. Plus Fera missed an extra point attempt during the Blue-White game. I don't care how inexperienced you are, a scholarship kicker can not miss an extra point under “scrimmage conditions” where there's no block attempted. Wagner SHOULD and WILL win this battle unless Fera makes strides.
Finally, lumping them all together--since Derrick Williams is gone and A.J. Wallace and Chaz Powell might not return kicks now that they are starters--I am hoping to see some freshmen in the return game, especially since we can not risk an injury to guys like Royster, Green, Powell, and Wallace. I want to see some combination of Devon Smith, Derrick Thomas, Darrell Givens, or Curtis Drake at kick returner. Powell will likely see time at kick and punt returner to start the year, but that should change. The Dark Horse for punt returner is Drew Astorino who, like Anthony Scirrotto and Calvin Lowry before him, plays free safety and has reliable hands. In the end, Powell (and some freshman) WILL start the year at KR/PR, but Devon Smith SHOULD be the starter from day one so he can cut his teeth against Akron, Syracuse, and Temple before he has to do it against Iowa under the bright lights.
Pete's Response--I agree with the Wagner assessment that he will probably win the kicking job. I don't think it will be easy, as I expect Fera to come back this summer more relaxed and ready to prove that he deserves the accolades he came in with. Yes he missed an extra point in the Blue-White game, but how nervous do you think he was? Hopefully that got it out of his system. Plus he was still getting used to being away from home; the kid should have been getting ready for prom, not kicking in front of 76,000. He will be fine, but I like the idea of getting him ready with kickoffs or something like that. Wagner will get the nod, but I bet it will be a very short leash.
I hope anything that we don't put Astorino back as punt returner. Not with the athletes that you mentioned. There is too much talent and speed to not put it back there. I would like to see Devon Smith, but I will bet on a red shirt. That leaves Powell or Green and I would be thrilled with either. I will say the smart money is on Powell.
Greg's Final Word--I like the idea of Fera starting with kick offs, so long as he keeps the ball in-bounds. Wagner does not have the leg that Kevin Kelly had, nor Fera has. Short leash? Probably, for everyone involved except for Boone. As for Smith v. Powell or Green, I think it has to be Powell. But I would not bet on a red shirt for Smith, necessarily. The staff brought him in to be a "return specialist" and that means getting him ready from day one, not sitting around on the practice squad running slot-receiver patterns against the first team defense—now there’s a scary thought. This is probably the area of the football team that NO ONE talks about being a huge question mark, while offensive line and the secondary get hammered in every pre-season publication. However, special teams could play an important role and be the difference between 9-3 and 11-1 or 12-0.
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