Tuesday July 25, 2006

ACC Special Teams Rankings

1. Virginia Tech
Beamer Ball is what they call it in Blacksburg. The Hokies have been good in this department but not as good as they once were. Brandon Pace is one of the top kickers in the country. Last season he was 19 of 22 with his field goals. Nic Schmitt is a 275-pound punter that averaged 43.2 yards per punt last season. Both Pace and Schmitt are seniors this season. The Hokies were 10th in the league in kick off returns and fifth in punt returns. Eddie Royal and Josh Morgan are back as returners this season.

2. NC State
John Derany returns as the punter and place kicker this season. The senior was 15 of 20 with his field goals a year ago. He averaged 40.1 yards per punt as a junior. The Wolfpack led the league in kick off returns with a 25.4 yard per return. They were eighth in the ACC in punt returns. Darrell Blackman returns as one of the top return specialist in the nation.

3. Miami
The Canes were awful in their kick off returns last season as they finished 11th in the ACC. However their punt returners were second in the league. Devin Hester was a major part of their scheme but he ahs gone to the NFL. Miami should have enough terrific athletes that can replace Hester as a kick returner. Jon Peattie is back as the place kicker after going 15 of 20 on field goals last season. Brian Monroe was very average last year when he averaged 39.8 yards per punt.

4. Florida State
Wide left was the theme for several years of the FSU-Miami game. The Noles have had better place kickers in recent years. Last season Gary Cisemesia went 17 of 24 with a long of 49 yards. Brent Moody should take over as the new punter. Kenny O?Neal will not return after having a great year as a kick returner. FSU should have enough athletes to help in the return game this season. A year ago the Noles were ninth in the league in kickoff returns and first in punt returns.

5. Clemson
See yesterday?s blog for complete analysis of Clemson?s special teams.

6. North Carolina
The Tar Heels were one of a couple of teams that excelled in both kick off returns and punt returns last season. The Heels were second in the ACC in kick off returns and third in punt returns. Brandon Tate comes back to return both once again. David Wooldridge had a nice year punting with a 41.1-yard average and he returns this season. Connor Barth hopes to improve on his field goals after going just 11 of 21 a year ago.

7. Maryland
Adam Podlesh is the best returning punter in the league after averaging 43.6 yards per kick. Obi Egekeze returns after an injury last season and should beat out incumbent kicker Dan Ennis. Last season Ennis went 17 of 25 with his field goals including a long of 45 yards. The Terps were fourth in the league in kick off returns and 11th in punt returns but Jo Jo Walker has graduated.

8. Wake Forest
League opponents are glad Ryan Plackemeier and his 47.2 yards per punt average are gone. Dan Caldwell is a freshman that may replace Plackemeier. Sam Swank returns as one of the nation?s leading place kickers. Last season Swank converted on 19 of 24 field gals including a 52-yarder. Willie Idlette, Alonzo Smith and Kevin Marion are back as kick returners but the Deacons were last in the league in both kick off and punt returns a year ago.

9. Virginia
The Cavs have had some great kickers in the past and they will miss Conner Hughes this season. Chris Gould returns as the punter after averaging 40.o yards per punt a year ago. Gould is also expected to be the place kicker as well. Virginia was third in the league in kick off returns and seventh in the league in punt returns. Ammanuel Byers, Michael Johnson and Cedric Peerman are all back as returners this season.

10. Duke
The Blue Devils were average in their special teams a year ago. Their kick return team finished sixth in the league while the punt return team was eighth. Duke returns place kicker Joe Surgan who was just six of eight on field goals last year. They must replace their punter and Alex Feinberg has the inside track on the job.

11. Boston College
You would think that as fundamentally sound as Boston College is as a program that the special teams would be special. Observers say that is anything but true. The Eagles have been average in the special teams in recent years. Place-kicker Ryan Ohliger was 9 of 14 on field goals last season. Johnny Ayers takes over as the new punter. Will Blackmon is gone as their best kick returner. DeJuan Tribble may be the guy to replace Blackmon. Last season the Eagles were 7th in the ACC in kick off returns and third in punt returns.

12. Georgia Tech
The Jackets could characterize their special teams as poor in 2005. They were eighth in the league in kick off returns and tenth in punt returns. Pat Clark should once again return punts this season. Travis Bell is back as the place kicker but he was only 11-21 with his field goal attempts last year. Durant Brooks is expected to punt this season.

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