Mark Elder loss is bigger than expected.

#1
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walkenvol

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#1
Like most, I guess I didn't fully appreciate the contributions of CME the past few years and thought CLS would be a good replacement if not improvement. There's been a noticeable decline in our special teams performance in 2016 to date, especially with the large number of blocks in the back and holding penalties. No stats to back it up, but my impression is special teams penalties in 2015 were uncommon whereas it seems like there's a penalty on every other punt return in 2016? Should the ST coaching change have this much impact or is it simply an anomaly that will balance out over the course of the season as that's what I'm hoping for.
 
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#6
#6
Agree with the OP special teams made game changing plays last year, this year they are mostly making negative plays.
 
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#7
#7
The same thought has crossed my mind. I've been looking for any reason that explains the way we're playing this year and losing Elder may be one. No idea really, but something ain't right.
 
#8
#8
Other than the penalties our special teams seem to be just as good this year. Punt return maybe not quite as much yet, but every time we've had a chance to return a kickoff it has seemed to go pretty well. The opponents are going out of their way to avoid kicking it to us though.
 
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#9
#9
No coach has anything to do with nobody kicking the ball to Evan Berry.

Punting still looks good

Medley has looked good when he hasn't tried to kick a field goal in 7 seconds

Minus Suttons muff the PR team has been good

What am I missing?!
 
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#10
#10
Didn't our special teams cause VT to fumble a punt and we recovered right on the sideline?

Disregarding the attempt from 82 yards, for the most part, hasn't Mr. Medley been making his kicks?
 
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#11
#11
Haven't seen Berry with the ball in his hands much.. Teams are kicking it out of the back of the end zone most of the time. Saturday was about the first time he's really had a chance to do anything this year.
 
#14
#14
walkenvol said:
I've watched them all and must of missed it? What specifically are you referring to where the ST saved us?
Click to expand...

They haven't. They've been poor compared to last year other than Berry's couple of good kickoff returns. Daniel has come back to earth, we've not had a decent punt return yet, we've had a lot of penalties and Medley is still Medley.
 
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#16
#16
Teams are doing everything in their power to kick the ball out of bounds or through the back of the end zone. We haven't had many chances for returns. You do have a point about the penalties though
 
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#17
#17
When the Ref blew the whistle, Abernathy and Berry should have switched places so Berry could get those short kicks on a run.
 
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#18
#18
i think there can be some adjustments, but the ST this year i think has more to do with 2 things:
1. opponents game planning, they're not kicking to us.
2. player mistakes. penalties and muffed punt.
 
#19
#19
a lot of new freshman are playing, ST show more close to the end of the season when they get more snaps.
 
#20
#20
Elder held the title of ST coordinator, but it was acknowledged as a group effort. It took a year but opposing teams finally figured out not to kick to Berry. Scott is an improvement on technically coaching the TEs...NB4 Wolf looks down cuz Croom looks great.
 
#21
#21
He got a head coach job. We should be happy for him.
Yes, the special teams are not quite as good, but they are still good. The penalties hurt.
 
#22
#22
Jax_Vol said:
Didn't our special teams cause VT to fumble a punt and we recovered right on the sideline?

Disregarding the attempt from 82 yards, for the most part, hasn't Mr. Medley been making his kicks?
Click to expand...

That is a negative for VT special teams, not a plus for ours.
 
#25
#25
Jax_Vol said:
Didn't our special teams cause VT to fumble a punt and we recovered right on the sideline?

Disregarding the attempt from 82 yards, for the most part, hasn't Mr. Medley been making his kicks?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say we "caused VT to fumble" necessarily. Returner just muffed it, but we were aware enough to make the recovery.

I haven't noticed the supposed obvious downturn in special teams other than the noticeable absence of kick return opportunities. That was to be expected with Evan Berry back there. Teams woukd be foolish to purposely kick it to him. Kamara is a downgrade from Cam on punt returns, but that has been a very recent development.
 
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