4 games, 0 blocked kicks??

[AreYouNUTS]

Am I wrong? We're not even talking about the difficult part of our slate!! Also, we had 2 guys within 3 steps of the punter today, on the same play, who didn't even attempt to dive at the ball despite being there with time to do so.

WTF is going on here?

 

[Knight Shift]

Kind of strange thing to complain about, Nuts.

 

[BigLou]

I wonder if part of the reason is that we have a punt returner who can break one every time he touches the ball so we are holding some pressure back to set up returns.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Kind of strange thing to complain about, Nuts.

Really? It's something that we have OWNED for the past 10 years, nationally, and pride ourselves on, no? Not really a "complaint" per say, but absolutely a concern.

 

[Blitz8RU]

I want Schiano back. This is getting ridiculous. This program is currently back pedaling.

 

[superfan01]

Not going to get many in the big ten. Teams are too good. Maybe army game?

 

[rufeelinit]

I thought we got one today but then it was a roughing the punter call.

 

[RUChoppin]

I wonder if part of the reason is that we have a punt returner who can break one every time he touches the ball so we are holding some pressure back to set up returns.

I think this is part of the reason. We used to sell out for the blocked kicks, and leave the return man back to fair catch the ball. Now that we have a dangerous return man, we may be hedging more toward setting up lanes than blocking kicks.

We haven't had many long FGs set up against us, either, so far.

 

[rucoe89]

This is the least of our problems, Nuts. How bad this team really is will be brutally magnified in next 4 weeks. Not sure we can come out of October 1-3 even. 0-4 is more likely. On the plus side, coach on hot seat, I guess .... and I was a Flood supporter.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

This is the least of our problems, Nuts. How bad this team really is will be brutally magnified in next 4 weeks. Not sure we can come out of October 1-3 even. 0-4 is more likely. On the plus side, coach on hot seat, I guess .... and I was a Flood supporter.

Oh, I agree, much bigger issues abound lol!

 

[saran]

Kick blocks were a GS specialty. Many assumed the blocks were due to Robb Smith but Rutgers was good at blocks before he was at RU

 

[RUwoz]

Bigger issues yes, but this was R thing.. We were known for blocking kicks and punts, just ask blue bloods Michigan and PSU

 

[RUskoolie]

Concerned as well...considering we normally average 4-5 a year.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Playing for the return is bull

You out pressure on the punter from different ways as a way to get all the punting team to hold their blocks for 0.2 to 0.4 longer and rush it from different points. The fear of the block does thAt. ThAt does more to set up the return than anything...messing up the timing of the coverage

We haven't been close...

 

[GSGS]

We used to have a good run D, too. Thank you Kyle!

 

[ruhudsonfan]

As much as blocking kicks is schematic and the result of heavy emphasis in practice, it helps to have superior athletes to block punts.

Perhaps its a combo of not as much emphasis in practice and some of the impact of recruiting being down.

It's one thing to identify where a team has protection vulnerabilities. It's another to design a scheme to get there. It's a third to have the athletes to actually make the play.

Continually coming up a half step short would suggest a lack of Jimmies and Joes, not Xs and Os...