Special Teams Question

[orangeandbrown]

OK, here's a question for you guys who know more football than me. When the wind blows and we need someone to hold the ball for the kickoff, why do we have our best defensive player do it instead of sending him running down field? It doesn't make sense to me.

I thought we handled the CMU special teams really well today, except for the fake FG. They didn't get any big returns, and Nate had a big day even with the wind.

[Metz]

I noticed that too. The first time he had someone hold it, it wasn't Keon but I believe that was the first half and Keon wasn't in the game yet. My only reasoning for him holding the ball is that he is fast enough to still get down field after holding.

[BGGrad01]

I think it is because that guy is the "safety" on the kickoff. Keon is the guy that stays back a little bit to prevent a TD if the returner gets through the wedge. I assume that Keon plays that role because he has good speed and is a sure tackler. I think Mayberry played that position while Keon watched in the first half. Someone call me an idiot if I'm wrong here.

[Warthog]

I think it is because that guy is the "safety" on the kickoff. Keon is the guy that stays back a little bit to prevent a TD if the returner gets through the wedge. I assume that Keon plays that role because he has good speed and is a sure tackler. I think Mayberry played that position while Keon watched in the first half. Someone call me an idiot if I'm wrong here.

You're an idiot! Just kidding. You actually have it right. On every kickoff, there is really a guy assigned to be the "safety". Watch the kickoffs next week and see if you can see this. Since this guy doesn't go steamrolling down the field anyway, he is the logical choice to hold the ball for a kickoff.

[orangeandbrown]

I knew someone would know.