Here Comes Carolina: 2008 Tar Heel's Special Teams Preview

The Tar Heels special teams are a unit that has been sound through the years even as they've struggled offensively and defensively.  2008 should be no different as the Heels have the majority of their quality pieces in place heading into fall training camp.  Let's take a look at the four core teams as well as the field goal unit that will be taking the field for Carolina in Butch Davis' second full season with the Tar Heels.

For the special teams as a whole there will be some serious changes, not in the style or the intensity but in the make up.  In 2008 expect to see more reserves, more younger players.  Translation: a very limited number of starters trotting out for teams duties.  In 2007 the Heels were forced to play key players on the teams and their production, at times, suffered.

The depth should yield some exciting play in all three facets of the game, with the teams being a proud unit capable of changing games.

Punt

The clear component of this unit is Terrence Brown, the JUCO transfer who stepped in to fill the role vacated by a graduating David Wooldridge in 2007.  His 41.4 yard average was solid for the Heels and the net punting average of 36.05 yards per punt was also quite strong. 

Brown finished 4th in the league and out of his 64 punts only 26 were returned, 3 were touchbacks and 24 were downed inside the twenty yard line.  He's proved himself capable of controlling field position and giving the Tar Heel defense an advantage whenever they step out onto the field.

Expect to see reserve defensive backs such as Richie Rich, Johnny White, Jordan Hemby, Tavorris Jolly and others rotated in at the gunner position on the edge.  These guys are all capable of getting down field in a hurry and wreaking havoc at the catching point.

The interior line will be strong with linebacker and tight end new comers mixing with experienced special teams to protect Brown as he lines up to punt.  The Heels surrendered zero blocked punts last year and this unit looks to retain that impressive mark.

At deep snapper the Heels have some serious questions.  Spring ball saw no one arise as the reliable snapping option every punter needs and with Mark House, a walk-on, the only listed option, Butch Davis and Special Teams Coordinator John Lovett will have their hands full in August's fall camp.  Without a reliable snapper to punter exchange the Heels talent, depth and experience in punt team execution will be all for naught and plenty of headaches could ensue.

Overall the team looks solid, but that missing piece is one of the more critical elements.  Should Lovett and the Heels correct this serious issue the punt team should again be a strong, danger, game changing unit.

Punt Return

Brandon Tate is the headlining show stopper for this squad and with good reason; the senior has taken two punts to the house and had a slew of lengthy, jaw dropping returns.  Tate is an Offensive Coordinator's best friend, his ability to shorten the field with timely returns takes the heat off TJ Yates and will help UNC put the ball in the endzone consistently.

Just as the gunner position helps limit opponent returns, their counterparts, known as jammers, are the first line of defense in allowing Tate to get to the open field.  In their reserve cornerbacks the Heels have guys geared up to stop the gunners and set up the returns.  When you have a weapon as potent as Tate convincing guys of their roles' importance is easily done.

Last year the Heels blocked three punts and with the depth being added to the team that number should increase in 2008.  A strong punt rush is as good as solid blocking, with teams being forced to delay at the line instead of sprinting downfield to force Tate into fair catch situations.

Kickoff Return

Three kickoff returns for TDs.  A 24.1 average in 2007.  The current ACC kickoff return career yardage leader.  That's Brandon Tate and he returns to show not just the ACC but the nation why he is among the nation's most dangerous return men.

Greg Little, last year's "other guy" second return man is now the starting running back, meaning another Tar Heel will be tasked with leading Tate's way into the fray.  The options are plentiful with the Heels maintaining a bevy of reserve wide receivers and defensive backs with the speed to lead Tate through the holes.

The rumors surrounding Zach Brown doing his best Ahmad Brooks impersonation have escalated throughout the summer but they don't appear to be holding much water in Chapel Hill.  I fully expect a traditional defensive back or wide receiver set up with Tate and he will get touches with teams kicking away from the most prolific returner in ACC history.

While Tate will be providing the highlights expect the second and third lines to provide the bone crunching blocks that spring Tate for big gains.  Reserve tight ends Richard Quinn, BJ Phillips, defensive players including Ryan Taylor, Vince Jacobs and new comers such as the aforementioned Brown and Reddick should make a huge impact for a unit that we can expect to be amongst the ACC's most productive.

Kickoff

This is the true gauntlet of the modern era, this is the team made for men.  This is the most dangerous event in modern sports.  Explosive athletes flying down the field salivating at the chance to crack the skull of their waiting opponents.

The Heels were slightly above average last year surrendering 24.9 yards on average but allowed a long score against Wake Forest (Kevin Marion 98 yards).  This year the unit must prove stouter in their denial of big returns in order to give the edge to the defense on Saturdays.

Expect reserve defenders like Ryan Taylor, Matt Merletti and Da'Norris Searcy to make the push from a mediocre kickoff cover unit to one of the ACC tops.  Being able to remove starters from the unit will allow players to make the fifty yard sprint without having to worry about the upcoming defensive series. 

Kickers Jay Wooten, Trase Jones and Casey Barth will be battling in the fall for the kickoff duties.  The Heels need a guy with a strong leg to set up their coverage and hopefully put the ball in the end zone.  All three kickers have strong legs and should one of them prove able to consistently put the ball inside the five or deeper Davis and the Heels will be in for a solid season in kickoff coverage.

Field Goal

The Tar Heels have plenty of depth at offensive lineman to staff this unit and after giving up just one block last year the linemen and tight ends that make up the field goal team should be up to the task again in 2008.  These big boys won't make a problem for Davis, however the field goal unit does have three major issues.

The problems can simply be described as ZERO.  ZERO NCAA kicking experience.  ZERO NCAA snapping experience.  ZERO NCAA holding experience.  The departure of snapper Mike Murphy, holder Ryan Baucom and kicker Connor Barth left the Heels with a group of unproven scholarship and walk-on players.

Expect Jay Wooten (2007's #22 kicker), Casey Barth (2008's #23 kicker) and walk-on Trase Jones to battle for the spot all camp.  Hopefully one will emerge as a reliable option.  The first couple games, at Rutgers on Thursday night and against block-happy Virginia Tech, will be a trial by fire for either of the new rookie kickers.

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