Just for Kicks

Let's face it. Settling for a field goal basically sucks. Unless, of course, you nail one to win it at the horn. 2007 vs. South Carolina........field goals suck. 2007 vs. Vandy.....field goals rock. I'm confused, but whichever the case, Brandon Coutu was very reliable when he was healthy.

Looking foward to the 2008 season, the position of placekicker has me worried more than any other. Coutu is gone and when we need 3 points, it's going to be on the shoulders (or foot) of a true freshman. This is the last of a series in which I've gone through the UGA roster, position by position. Today, we'll be looking at special teams, and kicking off the topic is none other than........
Blair Walsh (Fr, 5-10, 163) That's one hundred and sixty-three pounds. I hope about 30 pounds of that is in his right foot. DO THEY FEED YA'LL BOYS IN SOUTH FLORIDA?? Get your butt to the dinner table, son. I want you looking like Janikowski (without the felonies) when you hit Athens in August. Gottit?

Walsh must now learn to do the "Gator Chomp"

Walsh is listed as the #7 kicking prospect by rivals.com, #1 by scout.com, and #7 by espn. One of the three services seems to know what they're talkin about. Anyway, at least we know that he can kick. He attempted a 69 yarder last year and missed.......wide right. Yup, it was long enough.

That's good enough for me. Prior to that, he made a 59 yarder in back to back games. Now the question becomes can he hit 'em when the lights come on and the camera starts rollin'. Kicking in high school doesn't quite compare to some of the nasty places that we travel. Can he nail it when 90,000 drunks wearin orange are screaming at the top of their lungs? That's the real question.

Walsh seems to have a great attitude and the mentality to succeed at the next level. He's got a monster leg that comes in handy when kicking off and from all reports has a great work ethic. Of course he'll have to perform on the field, but it seems the placekicking job is in good hands.


The Punter

Hopefully, this guy will be this year's "Maytag Repairman"

Brian Mimbs (Sr, 5-11, 205) had a fantastic season in 2007, his first as a starter. The Dawgs have a history of playing tight ballgames and field position battles are always at a premium. Having Mimbs cranking out his average 42 yard punt takes a great deal of pressure away from our offensive and defensive units.

Plan B(utler), Drew (Soph, 6-2, 205), son of Kevin. Sorry folks, he just punts. Pretty well too from published reports.


The Return Game

Mickey Henderson and his electric punt returns are gone. Thomas Flowers also had pretty good success in the punt return game and.......he's gone too. Asher Allen has 5 career punt returns with decent success, but we really need someone to step up at this position. My personal choice (which to date hasn't mattered) is Israel Troupe. He returned punts in high school and prefers to take the ball upfield rather than go sideline to sideline.

Asher Allen is our most experienced kickoff return man also. He has a solid 23.6 average and will pop a long one every once in awhile. Ramarcus Brown also showed some potential in the Sugar Bowl with a 90 yarder.

Incoming freshman RB Carlton Thomas also returned kicks in high school. He was the featured return guy in the UA High School All-American Game. In a previous post on the running back position, I noted that Richard Samuel and Dontavius Jackson have a head start on Thomas since both enrolled in January and are currently getting reps in practice. However, Thomas should have a great shot to earn a roster spot in the return game. Personally, I hope he does as it would take our starting corner out of one of the more dangerous situations in the game. If Thomas does make it in the return game, look for one of the other freshmen RB's to get the redshirt.

Thats a wrap. A look at the entire pre-season depth chart, and it only took me two weeks to do it. How's that for bottled lightning?