Special Teams

[WhoDeyIrish]

I'm trying to get an idea of who might be returning punts and kicks this season. I'd imagine Riddick would be the primary kick returner but who are we going to put back there for punt returns? Goodman? I have yet to hear anything about the way we are going in that aspect. Any ideas?

 

[Rocket89]

Good question.

I think we saw a collection of Riddick, Wood, Jones, Harrison, Goodman and maybe a couple others back there during spring ball.

Riddick has to be a no brainer, although I believe he didn't take many (if any) punt returns last year due to Golden's presence.

At the risk of offending some souls, I'd like to see two black guys in the return game. So, with Riddick making the adjustment to receiver and possibly not getting a lot of PT to begin the year, and with Wood sharing carries with Allen, I say we have to put those two out there together.

Just too damn electric.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

The real questions is: Who is going to punt?

Last year was terrible.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

My understanding is Theo and Gallop on kickoff returns and at this point Goodman on punt return. I'm not sure if Theo would be the best punt return guy, he has great speed, but not sure if he is shifty enough. I would LOVE to see EJ Banks on punt returns. Watching tape of EJ in high school as a QB he was shifty, fast and hard to bring down.

 

[Big23Head]

Polish I saw this on irhs NBC: "Turk averaged 45.5 yards per punt on his next 8 kicks. For a frame of reference, the 2008 Ray Guy Winner Matt Fodge averaged 42.9 yards per boot."

His season average was only 38 yards, the beginning of the season was terrible. Hopefully he has it figured out.

Riddick and Wood for returners makes sense to me, playmakers with the ball in their hands. Yet both are down on the depth chart a little at least to start the season.

 

[Riddickulous]

I think we'll see Riddick doing both kick returns and punt returns. We'll probably see another guy, maybe Shaq Evans, doing the other kick return duties.

I'm not sold on Wood as a returner. He's more of a long strider, like Michael Floyd is, rather than a blazer.

 

[GoingGreen]

I'm gonna go ahead and say Goodman returns punts to start the season. He might be replaced by someone else later in the season if he doesn't do too well though, probably Riddick.

And Riddick is returning kickoffs for sure.

 

[Irishcop]

What about Bennett Jackson, or is he going to need more time?

 

[Riddickulous]

What about Bennett Jackson, or is he going to need more time?

Unless he's on TJ's level, I don't think Bennett will see the field this year. I wouldn't waste a year of eligibility.

 

[Rocket89]

Turk unleashed some bombs in the spring game and on occassion last year. He just needs to work on his consistency.

Kelly has had really, really good special teams for the most part the past few seasons. I think we'll be pleasantly surprised with a strong kicking/punting/return game in 2010...it will help immensely.

 

[IrishMoore1]

I'd like to see us punt more than 15 yards and not give the other team great field advantage to score late in the 4th quarter and beat us.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

The real questions is: Who is going to punt?

Last year was terrible.

Ben Turk will be the real deal imo.

He's had many slip ups, but he's also had his shinning moments.

He was only a frosh last year so lets give him a little bit of a break.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

Good question.

I think we saw a collection of Riddick, Wood, Jones, Harrison, Goodman and maybe a couple others back there during spring ball.

Riddick has to be a no brainer, although I believe he didn't take many (if any) punt returns last year due to Golden's presence.

At the risk of offending some souls, I'd like to see two black guys in the return game. So, with Riddick making the adjustment to receiver and possibly not getting a lot of PT to begin the year, and with Wood sharing carries with Allen, I say we have to put those two out there together.

Just too damn electric.[

 

[Irish.Ca]

Theo for kick return, TJ for punt return, he makes crisp turns during his routes and he's not a big guy so they might be able to hide him behind the wedge. Shaq could easily do punt return as well, needs to see the field more and may boost his confidense which would spill over into his overall game.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Rivals has Allen returning kicks and punts. I don't mind him and Theo returning kicks. I agree with irish.ca that TJ or Shaq would be good options on punt returns. I also think that with EJ Banks ball skills he should get a shot at punt returns.