The news that former Boston College kicker Billy Bennett wasn't going to be joining N.C. State hurt the Wolfpack most on its kickoff team.
Coach Tom O'Brien had hoped Bennett could boot kickoffs into the end zone to put N.C. State's defense in better field position, but Bennett didn't enroll this fall. O'Brien is eager to improve on the Wolfpack's net kickoff number, which at 37.3 yards per game was by far the lowest in the ACC.
Senior kicker Josh Czajkowski, whom O'Brien said has improved his kickoffs since last season, will handle that duty now that the strong-legged Bennett isn't coming.
"He [Czajkowski] spent all summer trying to get more elevation, more hang time and more distance, which he’s been able to do," O'Brien said. "So if he can get five to 10 yards farther on his kicks, that ought to be sufficient. Plus, hopefully we’re deeper and more athletic on the cover team to where we can get down there and cover kicks."
O'Brien said punter Jeff Ruiz also has improved his distance and hang time; the Wolfpack finished ninth in the ACC in net punting last season, and O'Brien would like N.C. State in the top three in the conference.
Better field position would help a defense that gave up 31.2 points per game, although O'Brien isn't by any means blaming last season's defensive struggles on the special teams.
"That was certainly a factor," O'Brien said of the poor field position. "We put ourselves in some difficult situations, but we aided it [the defense's demise] by the way we played sometimes, too."
Comments
It's amazing to me that more
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 14:48 — mad_maxIt's amazing to me that more kickers aren't sending their kickoffs through the endzone. Of course, I'd be lucky to kick the ball 30 yards, but you would think that more guys would train themselves enough to kick it 70+ yards...if you can consistently kick off through the endzone, then you basically have an automatic position on just about any team in the country. I'm curious to learn how much the art of kicking a football has changed over the years.
Surprisingly
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 15:05 — Heels20It's not that complex. So many area high schools take soccer players and use them as designated kickers. A lot of these guys move on to play college football. Jeremy Shelley from Broughton is an example, as he was number one on the depth chart this past spring for Alabama as a redshirt freshman. It's really all about leg strength and repetition. Punting and place kicking is obviously harder than kicking off, but a strong leg combined with a solid amount of practice will take you a long way.
4yrs old only
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 20:35 — gvillegatrbut my oldest son is gonna kick his way to a scholly, baby!! :o)
Ruiz's biggest problem was
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 12:35 — bppackRuiz's biggest problem was taking so long to get his kicks off. if that doesn't improve, nothing else matters much.
QUESTION
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 13:36 — JPDOhioDo they calculate hang-time on a blocked kick?
.1 second on a kick can bring that average down low pretty quick.
Distance
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 14:08 — SurferNeedless to say, but it doesn't do much for the distance stat either.
Ruiz used to take a backstep first.....
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 13:33 — wolfdonas I understand it....he now steps only forward for two steps before contact with the ball.
A must
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 11:16 — YAR8packGreatly improved special teams play is a must if the Wolfpack is going to have any chance at a +.500 season. Last year's special teams play, if you want to call it that, was a debacle. Couple that with a helpless and clearly inept defense, and it's more a wonder NC State's defense didn't give up twice as many points as they did.
<sarcasm> Ah, another NC State football article. Somewhere surfer is gently weeping. :-) <sarcasm>
Fun
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 11:30 — SurferYep, loving it. Tomorrow, "The Waterboy Chronicles".
Hey Surfer
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 12:30 — bradleyb123When are you going to start complaining about the fluff pieces about Carolina?
Curious minds want to know.
Fluff pieces? The N&O has
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 20:02 — TDiddytFluff pieces? The N&O has been the fluffer for UNC fans for years.
Catch up there Brad
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 12:45 — SurferDear Curious,
I am not complaining at all about these daily pieces about all there is to imagine about NCSU football. Seriously, I enjoy seeing them, it is entertaining. It is like Ken is doing his best to provide filler until the actual season starts and State just happens to be the closest to gather info on.
As far as complaining about the fluff UNC pieces? Well, basically, I don't complain at all here on ACCNOW. My comments typically range from the serious to the sarcastic, with the primary intent of humor, to some at least.
Gotcha
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 15:56 — bradleyb123OK, you're forgiven. :)
When you complain only about State fluff, you just sound biased. If you complain about all fluff, you're consistent.
I just saw a good one at WRAL for Carolina: http://www.wralsportsfan.com/college_football/story/8184478
Title: Slimmed-down Houston ready to run for Tar Heels
Nice!
"The Waterboy Chronicles"........good one!
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 12:00 — wolfdonUnless, of course, the NCAA breaks the silence over the suspected activities over at Hill....
You are right
Tue, 08/24/2010 - 12:30 — SurferOh, yeah, I forgot about all that stuff. Thanks for reminding me.
Seriously, that would be great, whether good or bad news, (i.e. the sooner the better, from a timing standpoint that is.)