Special Teams and Roster Spaces

SkinsCT · #1 08-13-2003, 03:57 PM

Right now I'm hearing a lot about guys who are impressing the coaching staff, like Sultan, Scott Cloman, Cliff Russell, and Taylor (I'm blanking on the first name) out of VaTech. Now I really like the way McCoullough played the other night, and I was happy that Cloman made a catch so some fans can start hearing about him. What I'm wondering is if there is any chance these guys will impress on special teams and make the roster. I think that Cliff is a lock cause he seems to have recovered his speed after his knee injury last year, but I'm more worried about the other three. I think that you can't replace speed and desire, something which all four of them have.

That's all from the ol'ballcoach.

hail2skins · #2 08-13-2003, 04:34 PM

Special Teams will decide alot of player's fate with the team.

IowaSkinsFan · #3 08-14-2003, 02:51 AM

Basically, the O and D coaches select the top 40 or so players. Then it's up to Coach stock to fill out the roster with players to play on ST's. So it's safe to say that SS has picked Coles, Gardner, Russell and Jacobs as his 1-4 WR's. So if the team carries more than 5 WR's, they had better impress Coach stock on ST, which is where I hear Cloman excels.

Brokenstriker · #4 08-14-2003, 07:39 AM

Cloman has been getting some high accolades as a WR ... outside chance he makes the team based on that alone.

NamVet4 · #5 08-14-2003, 07:57 AM

I'm begining to sound like a broken record, (or tape, or CD for you younger fans) about this but:
The ST needs to be strong and good - it will make the difference in at least 3 games!

Patrick · #6 08-14-2003, 07:58 AM

Sultan had another good practice yesterday BUT according to the "WashPost RB Rankings" so did all the backs. It made it sound like, unless one the four (Canidate, Morton, Watson, Betts) fall flat on their face or injury, the chances of him making the team are not good. BUT then again, there is still three weeks left.

PennSkinsFan · #7 08-14-2003, 08:12 AM

Yup. These borderline guys, there fate actually come sdown to analysis by Mike Stock, as well it should. These depth guys have got to improve and makes us want to keep them because of there special teams play. I liek Cloman. I like his effort, but bottom line is this, the foru Wrs that will be getting the passes this year are Coles, Gardner, Russell, and Jacobs so i need to knwo and see what Cloman can contribue elsewhere, and that is special teams. We have had poor coverage and blocking on special teams for years. The Carolina game did nothing to alleviate any fears that we may suck at Sts again. So you want to make this roster, then you contribute to the turning around of oru special teams unit, if you can't...be gone.

SkinsCT · #8 08-14-2003, 10:16 AM

Thanks Penn, that makes sense. I like Cloman, I feel he can be a contribute this year if he was on the roster. It makes me think about the Giants team that went to the Super Bowl a few years back, when Joe Jurievicius (similar size to Cloman) came from being the 4th/5th receiver to an important guy over the middle and in the redzone as the season wore on. I think our 5th guy is going to be integral, as Cliff has that knee and you know Jacobs is not going to be able to go a whole season, he'll wear down like most rookies do down the stretch.