Special teams bonanza!
August 28th, 2007, 11:45 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Zeiger
Al Simmons
Despite some damaging blocked punts in 2004 and ‘05, Arizona State has taken pride in the play of its special teams during recent seasons. This year, the unit has a new mentor, with cornerbacks coach Al Simmons adding the special-teams duties held by Tom Osborne from 2001-06.
Simmons is one of two holdovers from Dirk Koetter’s staff, with defensive line coach Grady Stretz the other. Like any special-teams coach, he delicately tries to put the best players on the field while preserving the offensive and defensive starters.
“You try to get everybody you can involved,” Simmons said. “If you have enough depth, you can do it. Finding that balance does become a problem. Ideally, you’d like (starters) to play no more than two special teams, but sometimes, guys have to play three.
“Then, you have those players who don’t start but are good enough to play on four special teams. Those guys really help your depth, but we’ll always be trying to find that balance, because I want the best guys out there.”
The starting cornerbacks, Justin Tryon and Chris Baloney, are currently on four of the six units, and strong-side linebacker Travis Goethel is on three. They are complemented by such role players who have earned reputations as special-teams standouts — Brett Nenaber (four units), Tyrice Thompson (three) and Chad Lindsey (three).
The punt unit has gotten the most attention during the preseason.
“A punt block can change the whole complexion and momentum of a game,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “I feel good about where we are, protection-wise. (Jason) Perkins has been snapping it well, and J.J. (Jonathan Johnson) has been punting it well.”
Here are ASU’s No. 1 special-teams units:
KICKOFF: Thomas Weber boots the ball, and from left to right are Omar Bolden, Chris Baloney, Tyrice Thompson, Chad Lindsey, Brett Nenaber, Jovon Williams, Anthony Reyes, Littrele Jones, Travis Smith and Justin Tryon
KICKOFF RETURN: LE Rodney Cox, LG Jeff Bereuter, C Josh Barrett, RG Tyrice Thompson, RE Brett Nenaber, LW Anthony Reyes, ROV Mike Nixon, RW Zach Brown, FB Garrett Judah, LS Chris McGaha, RS Justin Tryon or Kyle Williams
PUNT: The downfield gunners are Chris Baloney and Travis Smith, with the rest of the unit LW Jeremy Payton (protector), LT Jovon Williams, LG Travis Goethel, SN Jason Perkins, RG Morris Wooten, RT Chad Lindsey, RW Brett Nenaber (protector), UB Mike Nixon (protector), P Jonathan Johnson
PUNT RETURN/BLOCK: Kyle Williams is the returner. At the scrimmage line, Justin Tryon, Littrele Jones, Jeremy Payton and Chris Baloney line up outside, with the interior Angelo Fobbs-Valentino, Tyrice Thompson, Mike Nixon, Travis Goethel, Chad Lindsey and Brett Nenaber
FIELD GOAL/EXTRA POINT: LE Brady Conrad, LT Brandon Rodd, LG Robert Gustavis, SN Jason Perkins, RG Paul Fanaika, RT Zach Krula, RE Dane Guthrie, LW Brent Miller, RW Kellen Mills, H Jonathan Johnson, K Thomas Weber
The field goal/extra point block unit will consist of the base-defense personnel.
