Best of the Best: Specialist
From Harlon Jordan, ACC Blitz.
Special teams play won’t be quite as high-caliber as 2009, with the departure of superstars like Clemson’s CJ Spiller and Virginia Tech punter Brent Bowden, but make no mistake, the guys that top these lists can hold their own.
RETURN MAN
It’s going to hard to replace the electricity that Spiller brought to the table in the return game. But his heir apparent (statistically speaking) is Torrey Smith. My No.2 guy is the one I’m really watching closely this year. He is fast, fast, agile and did I say fast? He has more cuts than an emo kid in middle school (yeah yeah, cheesy joke, whatever).
1)Torrey Smith, Maryland
2009 Stats: KOR 51-1309, 25.7 AVG, 2 TD
This is one guy I feel for. All-world talent on a team that had two wins all of 2009. He’s an exciting guy to watch and is a true dual-threat, returning kickoffs and handling duties as a starting wide receiver. He finished 2009 averaging a healthy 25.7 yards per return, and took two kickoffs back for scores. Some argue he had a slight advantage over other players, returning nearly twice as many kicks thanks to a horrible Maryland defense, but the stats don’t lie – he still averaged 25+ yards a return.
His efforts last season landed him a Second Team All-ACC selection, and coming in as the No.1 returner in 2010, that should be improved to a First Team by seasons end.
2)Greg Reid, Florida State
2009 Stats: KOR 26-664, 25.5 AVG, 0 TD; PR 21-387, 18.4 AVG, 1 TD
Reid is real joy to watch, with a great combination of speed and agility. He’s a small guy at 5’9″, but make no mistake he’s not afraid to lower his shoulder to pick up an extra yard (or lay the wood on a receiver). His 25.5 yard per return average was good for fourth in the ACC. He actually seems to be a little more dangerous in closer quarters, leading the league in punt return average with a little over 18 yards per. He should have ample opportunity on punt returns with an improved Seminole defense, and will likely find himself on the receiving end of an All-ACC selection.
3)Dyrell Roberts, Virginia Tech
2009 Stats: KOR 18-574, 31.9 AVG, 1 TD
Last years 96-yard return for a TD against Alabama was a thing of beauty. Roberts is a tall, lanky guy which can be deceiving when gauging his speed. He almost has a Terrelle Pryor type of stride. It should be the same story as 2009 though, with limited returns on kickoffs thanks in part to Techs stingy defense. But given the chance, we’ll see another highlight reel return or two.
PUNTER
Bosher is plain and simple a stud. He was an easy pick for my No.1 punter, even with All-ACC caliber Travis Baltz behind him. Poor poor Chandler Anderson. You won’t get much work as a punter at Georgia Tech, but I recognize the skill there.
1)Matt Bosher, Miami
2009 Stats: 51-2169, 42.5 AVG
The term ‘dual-threat’ is not usually reserved for kickers, but I think it applies here. Bosher has a booming leg, in both punting and kicking field goals. He gives the Canes a dangerous weapon when they have to punt. His average of nearly 43 yards per punt was second in the ACC in 2009. Bosher also had an impressive 12 punts of over 50 yards.
2)Travis Baltz, Maryland
2009 Stats: 28-1140, 40.7 AVG (*injurt shortened season)
Baltz, like teammate Torrey Smith above, is an all-star that probably won’t get the recognition he deserves. When your team has such an inconsistent offense, a great punter is a necessity, and Baltz at least gives the Terrapins defense a chance to pin their opponent deep. He missed six games in 2009 due to injury, but looks to be good to go in 2010.
3)Chandler Anderson, Georgia Tech
2009 Stats: 37-1565, 42.3 AVG
When you’re the punter on an offense like the Yellow Jackets, odds are you won’t see much action. But Anderson made the best of his opportunities, averaging 42.3 per punt, good for third in the league, and managed to land 12 of his 37 punts inside the 20.
KICKER
Bosher at No.1 as kicker. Surprise. My No.2 and No.3 were borderline toss ups but I had to give the edge to Snyderwine thanks in part to a better accuracy.
1)Matt Bosher, Miami
2009 Stats: 14-16, 87.5%, PAT 50-50, 100%
I mentioned earlier Bosher was a dual-threat, and he comes in at my No.1 kicker as well. He has the power to hit it from 50+ yards, and also possess’ excellent accuracy, hitting 14 of 16 attempts. Even more impressive is his accuracy beyond 40 yards, where he went 4-4 with a long of 51 yards. He was named a First Team All-ACC selection as place kicker.
2)Will Snyderwine, Duke
2009 Stats: 17-20, 85.0%, PAT 24-24, 100%
Snyderwine provides the Blue Devils with a threat for a quick three points. He finished the season hitting 17 of 20 kicks (one was blocked), and went perfect on point-afters. He also has the ability to hit from deep, connecting on a season long 51-yarder against Wake Forest. He was selected for the Second Team All-ACC.
3)Casey Barth, North Carolina
2009 Stats: 21-25, 84.0%, 34-35, 97.1%
Barth is an interesting selection. He lead the league in field goals per game (1.62), and was deadly accurate from short range (10-10), questionable at 30-39 yards (7-10), and back to accurate again beyond 40 yards (4-5). He was solid on PAT’s, connecting on 34-35. I think he has a ton of potential, just needs to shake those mid-range mishaps.
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