GT Special Teams Versus Duke

[GTNavyNuke]

Our ST play pointed out how divergent STs are.

Golden was fabulous on KO returns. We are tied for 10th in KO returns at 26 yards. Golden is tied for 6th best in the country at 31 yards. http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/player/split01/category05/sort01.html

Butker had 4 touch backs and two good on side kick attempts.

Rodwell punted well as usual in his ONE attempt – punted to the 8 and there was a 10 yard return. When you only punt once in a game, you are either scoring a lot or screwing up a lot….. that’s another thread.

But what we will all remember is the 4th down unforced off sides by the punt coverage team that gave Duke a fresh set of downs. That was a turnover. We were up 3-0 and had stopped Duke for the second straight time. You just can’t do that to our weak D and expect good things. And bad things did happen. I think if we get the ball and go up two scores, it is a whole different game. As it is, that one play epitomized the sloppy play overall in the game – the O was the sloppiest and the D didn’t get any turnovers..... that's another thread.

Butker needs to be replaced for long FGs and short ones on the right hash if we have anyone who can kick. Since we probably don’t, go for it or punt. Butker made the easy ones (<30 yards) which were centered or on left hash. But the long one (52 yard) he missed had plenty of leg, was straight (no wind effect) and found it’s home where his other misses have been -- just to the right. He has the physical talent but not the _________ (discipline?). As is, his KO talent makes him more than worth the scholarship IMHO. It’s “only” a head thing so he can get better on FGs, but we need him to contribute more in this area ASAP.

Overall, it’s hard to grade. Don’t have that punt screw up and missed FG and it’s another strong A performance. But add a thimbleful of **** to a barrel of wine and you have a barrel full of ****. Overall D (IMHO)

Past game ST records at:
Miami http://gtswarm.com/threads/gt-special-teams-versus-miami.4212/
VT http://gtswarm.com/threads/st-v-vt.3877/#post-81068
GSU http://gtswarm.com/threads/st-in-ga-southern-game.3760/
Tulane http://gtswarm.com/threads/tulane-game-sts.3655/

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Oops, one "clarification". When I say Butker's onside kick recovered, I of course mean recovered by Duke and not us. Both were good tries though.

 

[Boomergump]

I'm not sure I agree about Butker not kicking FGs. Am I satisfied? No. Believe it or not, I used to kick and punt some (not nearly in his league so tifwiw), so I used to practice it a lot. I think he kicks a really pretty ball. He gets elevation quickly and has a true ball flight with plenty of leg. If you notice, the dispersion of his kicks is very narrow, meaning that he repeats the motion with great consistency. There really are no wild left or right or low kicks. That tells me he has HUGE potential. I think he is having alignment problems, not kicking problems. That should be way easier to fix. Now he just needs to fix it.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

I'm not sure I agree about Butker not kicking FGs. Am I satisfied? No. Believe it or not, I used to kick and punt some (not nearly in his league so tifwiw), so I used to practice it a lot. I think he kicks a really pretty ball. He gets elevation quickly and has a true ball flight with plenty of leg. If you notice, the dispersion of his kicks is very narrow, meaning that he repeats the motion with great consistency. There really are no wild left or right or low kicks. That tells me he has HUGE potential. I think he is having alignment problems, not kicking problems. That should be way easier to fix. Now he just needs to fix it.

We agree mostly. But if there was an easy way to fix it, why hasn't it been fixed? This ain't the first time with his 4th miss in 10 attempts http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/player/255/1055249/kicking/gamelog.html. He's no better than last year, in fact he's worse so far http://www.cfbstats.com/2013/player/255/1055249/kicking/gamelog.html.

I kicked dismally in HS and had minimal talent (so did everyone else) so we only punted and kicked of and prayed for the roll. At his level, it's a lot like golf where many players have the skills but not the stuff between the ears to make the tough shots consistently.

 

[sidewalkGTfan]

The offsides on the punt was a HUGE mistake by us. I told the Mrs. when they called the penalty that Duke would end up scoring on that drive. There's a handful of plays every game that can really change the flow and outlook of the game, that was one of them.

I'm not saying we win the game if we don't commit that penalty, but I think there's a good chance we would've taken the ball down and scored...possibly taking early control of the game.

 

[wingsrlevel]

Butker is a talent. Hard to complain about a missed 52 yarder that had plenty of leg. He probably makes that kick 2 out of 3 times. He has missed a few but he will be fine. I'm as happy with him as anyone who's kicked for GT in the last 20 years.

 

[Whiskey_Clear]

Butker is a strength, not a weakness. He will make his share. We don't have anyone else who could have made that 52 yarder. The short ones he has missed...that is what needs to be cleaned up. He was finde on the short kicks vs Duke.....the fact he was kicking those early led to the loss...not the missed 52 yarder (though that one sure would have helped)

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Yeah ok. I am with y'all on Butker talent and potential. But being 90th in the CFB pretty much says how good he has done. http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category07/sort01.html

As I said, his KOs alone are worth the scholarship. I like him from everything I've seem. But ...... It is what it is.

 

[awbuzz]

Hopefully the right has kicking issue can get fixed.

More important is NOT LING UP OFFSIDE when on punt D...

 

[4shotB]

At his level, it's a lot like golf where many players have the skills but not the stuff between the ears to make the tough shots consistently.

I like this analogy....Butker is a like the golfer who can make it on the mini-tour (by whatever name it goes by these days). Those guys can bust it 320 yards off the tee just like Phil, Rory and Bubba do. What they can't do nearly as well as the big boys is score/get the ball in the hole.

Touch or feel...whether it's in golf, shooting a BB, throwing a pass or kicking aFG in FB, these are things you either have or don't. Sure you can improve but the Scott Sissons, Phil Mickelson's, Greg Maddux's and Micheal Jordan's didn't learn "it" at practice...they were born with it and then honed it.

I am happy that we have this guy as a kickoff man...but as far as kicking field goals. he is what he is. imo.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Still room for improvement, but we are #10 in Football Outsiders adjusted special team rankings.

Kudos to the coaches and players on STs!!!!

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feist (Have to pick NCAA STs block and then have to pick 2014)