Preview '08: Special Teams

Special Teams Depth Chart
K	P	KR	PR
Adam Carlson RSr.	Blake McAdams Sr.	Wade Bonner RFr.	Derek Pegues Sr.
Eric Richards RFr.	Eric Richards RFr.	Robert Elliot RFr.	Jamayel Smith RSr.

2007 Stats
Name	FGM	Att	%	Punt Yds	Avg
Adam Carlson	10	13	76.9	48	24
Blake McAdams	-	-	-	3024	39.2

What a difference a year makes. At the start of last year I thought Carlson had to be one of the worst kickers in Div IA. Then he went 10/13 on field goals and kicked a career long game winner against Ole Miss. Clearly I was wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I still can't say Carlson is entirely reliable outside of about 35-40 yards, but he is very good inside that range.

McAdams needs to get better. He wasn't terrible last year, but wasn't a world beater either. The problem with McAdams was his consistency. He'd kick a 50 yarder and immediately follow it up with a 24 yard shank. Hopefully he has corrected that problem.

Bonner and Elliot take over kick return duties. They should bring some speed and elusiveness that was missing wit the likes of Justin Williams returning kicks last year.

Pegues will again be the punt returner and in case you didn't know, he is pretty good in that role. His touchdown return against Ole Miss last year probably kept that game from being a loss.

Grade: 6.5/10

Carlson is certainly improved and has to have a boatload more confidence after winning the Ole Miss. You have to hope McAdams sees similar improvement but for now he is just average. The kick returners last year were downright bad. It should be better this year but its hard to say for sure. We already know what Pegues can do.