Clemson’s special teams a big question

By Bob Wilson  |   Friday, July 20, 2007  |  Comments( 5 )

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One big question mark for Clemson going into the 2007 season is their special teams coverage, which was pathetic. Even lowly Temple ripped off some huge returns against the Tigers.

Tommy Bowden's team consistently put its defense in a hole by either kicking short or giving up a long runback. The coaches tried several approaches: squib kicks, directional kicks, pooch kicks and even using the punter to kickoff. Nothing worked, though, and opponents consistently started around their own 40-yard line.

In the offseason, the Tigers turned to Andre' Powell, who was North Carolina's special teams coordinator the past two seasons. Although Powell's primary job will be to coach the running backs, he may be more valuable as the leader on special teams. There is some optimism because the Tar Heels' kick coverage unit ranked second in the ACC last year.

North Carolina also ranked seventh in the nation in kickoff returns in 2005 and is the only ACC team that has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in each of he last two seasons. Clemson's punt return game has suffered since the departure of Justin Miller two seasons ago. With a new quarterback in tow, the offense could really benefit from some nice punt returns of its own.

Freshman Jacoby Ford had 90-plus-yarders for touchdowns as a punt and kick returner. However, the team ranked 81st in the country (ninth in the conference) in punt return average in 2006. Ford also made several poor decisions early in the year when he failed to catch multiple punts that were then downed after rolling several more yards. The Tigers were ranked sixth in the nation (second in the ACC) in kickoff returns, however

This year kickoffs have been moved back to the 30-yard line. Could the additional 5 yards mean Tiger foes will be starting at their own 45? Clemson fans hope not. Bowden has admitted that the team has made changes in the coverage game without giving out any details. Last season there was concern about the punt game after several blocked punts in 2005, and the staff changed the formation and no punts were blocked.

The Tiger defense should be strong in '07, and if the coverage teams can help it out by pinning other teams' offenses deep every now and again, it could be a successful year. However, the bend-but-don't-break philosophy that the defense employs works much better when the other team has to move the ball 80 yards to score. Too often, the defenders were placed in situations where two first downs led to a field goal opportunity.

Tiger fans will have to hope that Bowden and Powell can solve the kick coverage woes in order for 2007 to be much better than '06.
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CommentsComments: 5  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
FutureUser		11:25 AM
07/20/2007
Considering how important the kicking game is, especially with most teams having similar talent levels (unlike the old days with...
No.2
jerry a marullo		10:41 PM
07/20/2007
special teams have been 1 of the many shortcomings of CU since Mrs bowden came to tigertown.here it is,year #9 of the khaki...
No.3
chuck raley		03:04 PM
07/21/2007
Most any person that knows football knows that special teams are important.Ask Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech. All close game are...
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