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The University of Mississippi Athletics
INSIDER: Special Teams Analysis
7/31/2007 | Football
By Ben Garrett
OleMissSports.com Insider
OleMissSports.com is filing summer reports previewing each position area of the 2007 Ole Miss football team. Previous reports include analysis of the secondary, linebackers, defensive line, offensive line, wide receivers, running backs and tight ends.
Overview: Struggling with inconsistency in the kicking game and needing an impact player in the return game, the special teams unit was a major question mark headed into the 2006 season. But with heady performances from freshmen contributors Joshua Shene, Dexter McCluster and Marshay Green, fans were given a pleasant surprise.
From Shene leading the Rebels in scoring, to Green sealing the win against rival
A sophomore kicker, Shene had an outstanding spring and was selected by The Sporting News as its preseason All-SEC second team kicker. Also chosen as an All-SEC second teamer by Athlon, Shene provided stability at a position that had been unpredictable over the past few seasons.
Connecting on 14-of-17 field goal attempts and 20-of-20 PATs, Shene scored a team-leading 62 points and ranked fourth in the SEC in FG percentage at 82.4 percent. He earned Freshman All-America honors by various media outlets and will enter camp as the undeniable starter at kicker. However, he will continue to battle with junior Justin Sparks for kickoff duties.
A versatile athlete with immense playmaking ability, Green will be heavily involved on special teams as a punt and kickoff returner. Selected as a preseason All-SEC punt returner by Athlon, Green finished last season fourth overall and first among league freshman in punt return average with an 11.2-yard clip. He was also tops among freshmen in kickoff returns with a 25.2-yard average, which should only get better as he continues to mature.
Ranking second on the team with 786 all-purpose yards, Green possesses a rare combination of speed and change of direction when the ball is in his hands. The
Fellow sophomore McCluster has the ability to change the game at any given moment. He piled up 274 kick return yards on 13 tries in an injury-plagued season and showed his durability as an all-purpose player with his 268-yard performance in last season’s opener against
Junior Rob Park returns as the team’s starter at punter and holder in field goal situations. He used the spring to develop more consistency in both distance and hang time. He finished the season fifth in the SEC in punting with a 38.9-yard average and downed 16 punts inside the 20-yard line. Pegged as the starting punter as a freshman, Park has made great strides throughout his tenure as a Rebel and should show further improvement in 2007.
Sophomore Preston Powers was yet another true freshman who made his mark on special teams last season as the team’s No. 1 long snapper. Although he will continue to battle redshirt freshman Wesley Phillips to retain his starting position, Powers gives the unit a veteran presence in field goal opportunities.
Returning Starters: PK Joshua Shene, RS Marshay Green, RS Dexter McCluster, P/HOLD Rob Park, LS Preston Powers
Other Key Returnees: PK Justin Sparks, LS Wesley Phillips
Key Losses: none
Quotable: sophomore Joshua Shene
On what he has been working on this offseason:
“So far in the offseason, I have been working on my power ability to consistently hit field goals from 50 yards and beyond.”
On the improvement that has been made:
“I feel myself getting stronger. I can hit the ball a lot farther with the muscle I have built in my legs. It is now just a matter of keeping my accuracy with the added distance.”
On his ability to hit long field goals:
“Several times last year, there were situations in practice where the coaches would have me kicking 60-yard field goals. Of course it was difficult, but the coaches expect me to hit those. I have put emphasis on getting better and more consistent in that area.”
On the possibility of handling kickoff duties:
“I don’t think it should be that different from what I am use to. I did it in high school, so it shouldn’t throw me off at all.”
On the differences in place kicking and kickoffs:
“More than anything, you are back 10 yards and you have to get a running start to kick. In the spring, my average distance was between the five yardline and goal line. Of course the coaches want it to go farther, so I’ll have to continue to get better.”
On his preference between the two:
“I’d prefer field goals over kickoffs. Field goals come easier to me because it’s more of a rhythm to me. With kickoffs, if you take one false step you are pretty much thrown off. So I definitely prefer field goals to kickoffs, but I will be happy to do whatever the coaches ask of me.”
On the importance of special teams:
“On our team, special teams are very important. Overall, people don’t really understand how important they actually are. There are times when a team loses by three or through a missed extra point for example. We beat
Final Analysis: The special teams unit returns every starter from last season, which will play a key role in the Rebels’ success in 2007.
Kicker Joshua Shene had an outstanding freshman campaign and is primed to breakout as a perennial all-conference player. As last year’s leading scorer, Shene is exactly what Rebel fans have been wishing for in the kicking game and will only continue to improve as he gains more experience.
Sophomore Marshay Green is an explosive playmaker who can change a game at any given moment. His ability to create, matched with his undeniable change of direction, makes him a valued commodity as a returner. Look for Green to make a substantial impact on special teams this season.
A playmaker in his own right, Dexter McCluster is explosive with the ball in his hands and requires extra attention whenever he takes the field. His maturation will be instrumental in the growth of the special teams unit from the beginning of fall camp.
A talented group with proven weapons at every position, the special teams should only continue to get better as they gain more familiarity with their given tasks. Returning every contributor from last season, this unit boasts skill at every position and should be improved in 2007.
