Week 3 special teams spotlight Alabama
Week 3 special teams spotlight: Alabama NCAA.com
What a punt return by Eddie Jackson. 85 yards to the house. — SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) Jackson received the ball about seven yards from the closest defender, which is a huge running lane for any returner. He began up the right hash but quickly cut out to his right to help set up the blockers he had downfield (you could even see him directing traffic with his left hand during the return). Punting to your opponent with just under 90 seconds to play in any quarter is normally a pretty decent scenario to work from defensively, but CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist — — made a very important observation. "They use two punters, this is the rugby-style punt," Lundquist said. Traditional punts, which rotate end-over-end, can bounce toward or away from the kicker due to the spin that is created on the ball, but the hangtime allows teams to manage better coverage of the punt. On the other hand, rugby-style punts normally benefit from added topspin and a lower point of trajectory, which tends to produce kicks that travel farther initially, and more often than not bounce forward, adding additional yardage after impact. Herein lies the fatal flaw: the trade-off between the hangtime and distance of a punt versus the kicking team's ability to get coverage downfield and in position to cover the kick and bring down the ballcarrier. Alabama came out in the second half and scored the first 10 points to take a 27-24 lead, but more importantly, the tide (pun intended) of the game shifted on one play. Alabama would go on to emerge victorious, 48-43, but who knows where the Crimson Tide would have been if not for that jolt before halftime? It's unclear whether or not Alabama had designs for a different blocking scheme on the return for Gleeson's kicks, but this play shows the poise that Alabama has a team. Despite being down two scores on the road, t Good luck getting the oft tight-lipped Nick Saban to divulge any secrets there, but in the meantime, just enjoy what was an instant classic in the age-old Alabama-Ole Miss rivalry. Eddie Jackson and the Crimson Tide sure did. HS (FL) alum & DB Eddie Jackson () named Special Teams Player of the Week — Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes)
CHAMPS
PRESENTED BY It’s easy to wax poetic about Nick Saban as a coach, or the program in general, but Alabama continues to show up and find ways to win despite unfortunate circumstances. In the early stages of Saturday’s game the Rebels gave the Crimson Tide all they could handle. . is right back in it!What a punt return by Eddie Jackson. 85 yards to the house. — SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) Jackson received the ball about seven yards from the closest defender, which is a huge running lane for any returner. He began up the right hash but quickly cut out to his right to help set up the blockers he had downfield (you could even see him directing traffic with his left hand during the return). Punting to your opponent with just under 90 seconds to play in any quarter is normally a pretty decent scenario to work from defensively, but CBS broadcaster Verne Lundquist — — made a very important observation. "They use two punters, this is the rugby-style punt," Lundquist said. Traditional punts, which rotate end-over-end, can bounce toward or away from the kicker due to the spin that is created on the ball, but the hangtime allows teams to manage better coverage of the punt. On the other hand, rugby-style punts normally benefit from added topspin and a lower point of trajectory, which tends to produce kicks that travel farther initially, and more often than not bounce forward, adding additional yardage after impact. Herein lies the fatal flaw: the trade-off between the hangtime and distance of a punt versus the kicking team's ability to get coverage downfield and in position to cover the kick and bring down the ballcarrier. Alabama came out in the second half and scored the first 10 points to take a 27-24 lead, but more importantly, the tide (pun intended) of the game shifted on one play. Alabama would go on to emerge victorious, 48-43, but who knows where the Crimson Tide would have been if not for that jolt before halftime? It's unclear whether or not Alabama had designs for a different blocking scheme on the return for Gleeson's kicks, but this play shows the poise that Alabama has a team. Despite being down two scores on the road, t Good luck getting the oft tight-lipped Nick Saban to divulge any secrets there, but in the meantime, just enjoy what was an instant classic in the age-old Alabama-Ole Miss rivalry. Eddie Jackson and the Crimson Tide sure did. HS (FL) alum & DB Eddie Jackson () named Special Teams Player of the Week — Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes)