Spring Forward Part III: Special Teams

As the University of Miami football team prepares to enter spring practice in about a week, I decided to take a look at the roster, and try an deduce how I’d like to see  the roster eventually take shape heading into the fall. Keep in my mind these are only my opinions, and I really hope it sparks a discussion with the Legion about how each of you feels about my thoughts, as the Canes head into the 2010 season.

Special Teams

Kicker/Punter/Kickoff Specialist

1.    Matt Bosher

2.    Jake Wieclaw

3.    Ben Hopfinger – if he enrolls as a walk-on

K/P Thoughts: Matt Bosher is an All-ACC, All-American candidate type kicker and punter. He is the epitome of consistency on the Canes team and was even the teams MVP in 2008. Bosher is very good, and coaches know they can count on him in crunch time. He should challenge for several post season honors at season's end as both a kicker and punter, as he is very, very good at both.  

Ironically Bosher (seen below with Canespacer OcalaCane) is injured and will not participate in spring practice, leaving the kicking duties to RS-Soph Jake Wieclaw. Wieclaw was basically given a vote of no confidence last season by Special Teams Coach Joe Pannunzio, as Coach P was quoted as saying that Wieclaw had good accuracy, but leg power that left something more to be desired.  However, with Bosher out, Wieclaw will get all the kicking reps in the spring, and we all will get to see just how much Wieclaw has or has not improved.

Of note here, is that for the last 2 years, coaches have tried to lighten Bosher’s load by having someone else perform kickoff specialist duties. Unfortunately, that has not worked too well, and Bosher has done all 3 kicking jobs the past 2 seasons.  The Canes made a run at several kickers during the last recruiting cycle including St. Thomas Aquinas K/P Mike Palardy, and also K/P William Russ out of Shreveport, LA. The Canes struck out on both, as Palardy stuck by his commitment to the University of Tennessee, while Russ committed to Arkansas, before decommitting and signing with Texas on National Signing Day.

However, all was not lost as the Canes may have some good fortune in this area as Palardy’s backup from STA, Ben Hopfinger, has said that he will walk-on at Miami this fall.  Hopfinger has been praised as a very good kicker in his own right, and had he not been at STA, a definite starter at any other high school program in America. Mostly known for his booming kickoffs, where he posted an 85% touchback rate in HS, Hopfinger may be just what Cane coaches are looking for in a kickoff specialist. He should challenge for that spot immediately in the fall, if a scholarship offer from another school does not entice him to leave the Canes high and dry.

Long Snapper

1.    Chris Ivory

LS Thoughts:  Talk about an underappreciated position. No one ever thinks about the importance of the long snapper, but the snap is a vitally important part of both the kicking and punting game. Without a good snap, disaster awaits! At any rate, the Canes are solid here as Chris Ivory has performed brilliantly the last 2 seasons as the Canes long snapper.  Also of note here, is the loss of backup QB Jake Byrne, who served as the holder for Matt Bosher on kicks. The Canes will have to find a new holder and who that will be, no one knows at this point.

Kickoff/Punt Return

1.    Mike James - KOR

2.    Lamar Miller - KOR

3.    Jeremy Davis – KOR/PR

4.    Brandon McGee – KOR

5.    Thearon Collier – PR

6.    Travis Benjamin – PR

 

K/P Ret Thoughts:  This past season, Graig Cooper and Mike James handled kickoff return responsibilities. Cooper had a few good returns, as did James, but with Cooper out injured, the Canes will need to look at another explosive player to play beside James. My guess is that the first crack at that will go to Lamar Miller. Miller is explosive and fast and could be that exciting return man the Canes have been missing in the return game since the departures of Devin Hester and Roscoe Parrish.

 

You’d have to also think that Brandon McGee because of his speed and athleticism (played QB in HS) would also get a look in the return game. In the fall, I would also think that Jeremy Davis will get some SERIOUS looks at both kick and punt return. Davis has TREMENDOUS speed, and just may come to Miami as arguably the fastest player on the team the day he sets foot on campus. However, for the time being, I would hedge my bets on James and Miller getting the first looks as kickoff return specialists.

Not as many questions exist at punt returner, as the Canes return 2 of their 3 punt returners from last season. In 2009, punt return responsibilities were handled exclusively by Graig Cooper, Thearon Collier (seen above flashing The U) , and Travis Benjamin. With Cooper out for the foreseeable future, Collier and Benjamin will each take on more of a role in the punt return game. Both are electric in space, but Benjamin has a definite speed advantage.

However, Collier has excellent quickness and a little bit more wiggle to his game, as he has a penchant for making people miss, evidenced by his 2 punt returns for TDs last season against FAMU and UVA.  Look for Collier and Benjamin to be the primary punt returners, but do not be surprised to see Lamar Miller, Brandon McGee, or Jeremy Davis, when he arrives, also get opportunities as punt return specialists.

Well Legion. There you have it, my take on what to expect from special teams in the spring and beyond as we patiently wait for the 2010 season.  Remember, these are just my personal thoughts, and I encourage you all to express your thoughts and feelings on what you’d like to see from the Canes as we embark upon the upcoming season.

As always, It’s All About The U and Go Canes!

-bg1906
C.C.M.J.T.K.O

Comments

[UMike]

?

[SOUP]

"One day U wake to find,
Ten years have got behind U,
No one told U when to run,
U missed the starting gun."

DZ8...this blog's for U!

[usagainsttheworld formerly known as 1caneinatl]

whif!

[SOUP]

UMike...U win again! WhatchU need in terms of Canespace gear?

[miamimike01]

Nice job again, bg.

[DZ8]

We have a chance on Dansby but he (possibly Peppers) is the jewel of this free agent class and will be costly and have many suitors.

I'm not high on Antrel Rolle and think we are going to wait and see what we have with Chris Clemons the fast safety from Clemson we got last year. Also might be a little quick to pull the plug on Gibril Wilson a big dollar signee from last year.

Anybody read KC Joyner? The guy tries to take the money ball aspect of baseball and translate it to football. Good, good stuff. He was exactly right about Wilson last year. He mentioned that in Wilsons career he always played strong safety and the one year he played free safety he sucked. The Dolphins have two strong safeties in Wilson and Bell. Since Bell is cheaper and "homegrown", meaning we drafted him. I vote to keep Bell if it comes down to it this year.

I could see us getting D. Thomas. He has the size our regime loves. Breaking his foot and not running at the combine can help us get him later than we should be able to. He's raw and just a junior and the regimes "says" they like to draft seniors so we'll see.

Posted by: DZ8 | February 21, 2010 at 08:10 PM

I also like Graham but think he'll go in between our first and second picks... unless he blows up at the combine.

[DZ8]

Thanks SOUP but quoting my favorite band will only get U so far. If I ever make it to a tailgate and Canez1 is there I'm telling everything I know.

[usagainsttheworld formerly known as 1caneinatl]

bg-- good work again. funny, i am not so impressed with mike james as a return guy. to me he doesn't seem to fit in that mode. i guess i have hester on the brain. mj doesn't seem to have the moves nor the breakaway speed that the prototypical returner shold have (at least in my mind). he seems to be a good straight ahead runner.

on the other hand, lamar miller has what my boy willie ivory calls that "eeewww weee!". break away speed and the ability to turn on a dime. jeremy davis seems to have a bit of the same.

collier and benjamin will be better this year in the punt game.

at any rate, we need for the return game to pick up the pace this year. we need at least 5-6 touchdowns on returns and perhaps others from punt blocks.

btw-- who coaches special teams? i thought it was shannon and pannuzzio-- true dat?

[DZ8]

Good stuff bg1906!

Any news on Hopfinger being offered to Miami of Ohio?

Also, didn't Ivory have some questionable snaps last year?

I would like to see the younger guys getting all the work in the kick/punt return game.

Collier might be too lazy to handle return duties;) (The last comment is just joking around.)

[404Canes404]

10+ wins this season or bust. Ray Ray + Ojomo (on D) + James = my leading players for LOF....

[SOUP]

If I ever make it to a tailgate and Canez1 is there I'm telling everything I know.

Posted by: DZ8 | February 21, 2010 at 08:16 PM

I'll make SURE that NEVER happens.

I HAVE my ways. LOL

[404Canes404]

Is there any dead weight that can be dropped to secure Hopfinger?

[SOUP]

Is there any dead weight that can be dropped to secure Hopfinger?

Posted by: 404Canes404 | February 21, 2010 at 08:25 PM

I recommend DZ8?

[Daytoncane]

is Mike James really on the punt/kick return list?

we got Collier, Davon Johnson, Benjamin, and Lamar Miller for that.

[PhillyCane]

Ne one got news on Latwan Anderson coming to the U

[bg1906]

I don't think James will be back there, but because he was there this year, I said look for him to START the spring there. If someone beats him out then ok, but if not he's done it.

[bg1906]

Ne one got news on Latwan Anderson coming to the U

Posted by: PhillyCane | February 21, 2010 at 08:46 PM

Right now as far as I know that is a rumor that I wouldn't put any stock in.

[bg1906]

The facebook convo between Kevin Nelson and Travis Williams is HILARIOUS! Man I love them. They have Cane attitude. I love that.

[DZ8]

This BLOGS for you! to I recomend DZ8 (gets dropped) all in less than half an hour.

You getting those meds checked out any time soon SOUP? lol

[solarcane]

I agree about Mike Jame being a good straight ahead runner, he slips a lot making cuts.
Maybe he has better shoes or better turf this year.
Not taking anything away from his importance to the team, he has been money in the backfield.

If Lamar lives up to his billing he will be fantastic.
We know he can run. If can he catch kicks in hostile environments, with college level players bearing down on him, he's that guy.

[miamimike01]

ohhh, this good stuff...

[PhillyCane]

Ne one got suggestions on getting tickets for the FSU game? lower level seats at the 50 yd line are expesnvie as my flight n hotel. How r upper level seats? I saw seats for 125 upper level row 1 40 yard line but in FSUs sideline

[solarcane]

Here is our Man bg1906 on yet another site ( Madden/Matrix) doing what he does.

The man works his azz off making sure Canes info is all good

nice work bg

http://maddenmatrix.com/?p=103

[JSQ]

Great series, bg! Loved it!

[bg1906]

Solar you are a bad man. I wrote that some time ago. I'm no longer affiliated with them though. I'm still cool with them, but I left their league. Too many cheeser types started joining. I got to have that str8 simulation actin...feel me! HAHAHA!

[canesteeler]

BG another good job. I also did not like James returning kicks. I want someone returning kicks who has break away speed. Yea I still have Devin Hested flash backs and if you want to go old school, Tramaine Mack!

[bg1906]

Posted by: canesteeler | February 21, 2010 at 09:07 PM

Even OLDER school. Kevin Williams

[usagainsttheworld formerly known as 1caneinatl]

k-willie! yea that's a little more old school fo sho

[bg1906]

btw-- who coaches special teams? i thought it was shannon and pannuzzio-- true dat?

Posted by: usagainsttheworld formerly known as 1caneinatl | February 21, 2010 at 08:17 PM

Yes.

[bg1906]

Also, didn't Ivory have some questionable snaps last year?

Posted by: DZ8 | February 21, 2010 at 08:22 PM

If my memory serves me correct, Ivory has only muffed one snap in 2 years and that was in 2008.

[solarcane]

bg,
I was looking through suggestions on how to make xbox360 games load faster when the old open door close door deal comes on 20 times in a row, and saw that link.
I remember you did a lot to straighten out rosters and stuff.
That's their loss if you packed it in there .

[solarcane]

wasn't Ivory a walk on?
I think he does a great job out there.

[bg1906]

Solar.

I sent mine for repair when I had open tray errors. As long as it is under warranty they will fix it for free.

[bg1906]

wasn't Ivory a walk on?
I think he does a great job out there.

Posted by: solarcane | February 21, 2010 at 09:19 PM

Yes I believe so.

[solarcane]

I think the only muff Ivory had was when Shannon suspended him for diking around in class or something.

[bg1906]

Chris Ivory

2008 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Walk-on who handled long snapping duties for punts in 11 games ... Recipient of the Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-On Award.

2007 (REDSHIRT): Walk-on who practiced with the scout team ... Spent spring of 2008 as the long snapper on special teams.

HIGH SCHOOL: Named first team all-area by the Ocala Star Banner and first team all-district by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association ... Also was the team captain as a senior ... Ranked as the No. 15 long snapper in the nation and No. 1 in Florida by the Chris Sailer kicking and snapping national event in Las Vegas ... Helped team to state playoffs as a senior ... Lettered two years in baseball and two years in football ... Coached by Mike Bowe.

[solarcane]

thanks for the XBox info bg

A kid told me to unplug the entire unit when I'm not playing and it will help some.
It does help, but I think it's just a matter of time till it commits suicide.

[bg1906]

Register it and see if it is still under warranty. They'll fix it free.

[solarcane]

thanks I will bg

[Lurker]

USA
USA
USA

[solarcane]

Warranty expired
you are fugged message lol

[canechic]

Today's hockey was excellent, great job USA!

[Lurker]

USA, baby!

Talk about quieting an arena down. Go USA!

[miamimike01]

86, U have mail (x2)

[solarcane]

bg check this out.

when you get the open tray error.

close the tray, lift the front of the Xbox up and down with your fingers gently a few times so the game disc wobbles a tiny bit under the laser lens.
Then it reads the disc and your in.

This is the alternate method to tapping the top of the case to try and get the same result

I tried this and got perfect results 6 out of 6 tries

thanks Red Rino Tech You Tube

[Daytoncane]

the only muff Ivory has ever had was that one night when he and this one chick...

uh, nevermind.

[SOUP]

You getting those meds checked out any time soon SOUP? lol

Posted by: DZ8 | February 21, 2010 at 08:58 PM

My bi-polar disorder is under control, medically speaking.

Which is more than I can say for some of my German friends and some blond chick from Palm Beach County. LOL

[canezilla]

cant wait for the home games this year..MUST WIN aganist north carolina

[GURU]

u

[GURU]

nice series bg