2010: A Special Kinda Year...??

I had the pleasure of eating lunch yesterday at Steverino's in Duluth. My search for this place began over a year ago, you may remember. I just happened to be driving by and saw the sign and immediately began craving everything that was on that old menu just a hop, skip and a jump from Butts-Mehre as you walked towards Hodgson's.

Anyway, menu's about the same from what I can recollect. And the ambiance is about as close as downtown Duluth can come to recreating the original. And while I enjoyed a couple slices and a cold beverage, I read this post by Corbindawg over at The Grit Tree.

If you haven't read it yet, he uses some quotes and some rushing realism to advise us to take comfort in Coach Richt's words this spring on the Bulldog Tour. And as usual, I'm always eager to join in any enthusiastic homerism. Afterall, I'm a Coach Richt guy as well. 

Yet, it's hard to imagine this team will hit the ground running on all cylinders. And again, if you haven't read it...that's not what Corbindawg is implying either. Reading his words just got me thinking...

If this team does put together a special 

season, what will be the key?

The defense has a new DC and three new coaches. They're replacing some heavy hitters in Curran, Jones and a slew of DTs. They're adjusting to a new scheme which will certainly require a few growing pains.

The offense has a wealth of returning talent, but a brand new signal caller. As well as some serious depth issues at both QB and WR. An injury to AJ Green would be devastating. And despite Murray's green horns, an injury to him would be cataclysmic.

So if things get squirmy again in Chickumbia (and let's be honest...when don't they?)...and Mallett brings more than a half loaded six-shooter to Athens, we may have to rely on our best two feet. Surely most agree, the key word is special. 


Let's remind ourselves, shall we:

Drew Butler

	Games	Punts	Yards	Avg	Punts/Game	Yards/Game
2008	3	3	107	35.67	1	35.67
2009	13	56	2691	48.05	4.3	207.0

  

Blair Walsh

	Games	Attempts	Made	Pct	Att/Game	Made/Game
2008	13	23	15	65.2	1.8	1.2
2009	13	22	20	90.9	1.7	1.5

Of course, my first thought is – we only averaged four punts a game last season? Then…oh yeh, turnovers to beat the band. Ugh! But forty-eight yards per boot is flat out kick'n it. The sooner the next Butler comes to campus with his best foot forward the better. No pressure Drew...

Gordon Ely-Kelso’s best year was 2005, when he averaged nearly 43 yards a punt. How well does that put what Butler did during his Ray Guyesque season in perspective? Holy crap!

And while it'd be nice to get Butler's punts per game number closer to 2, it's also comforting to know he can flip the field more often than not. For that matter, if Murray's offense sputters it's nicer to know that Butler can account for 200+ yards when needed.

And Walsh should be even more confident this season without the kickoff distractions and two years under his belt. I've liked the way CMR has called his number without hesitation with a lot of real estate to cover. It's probably made his numbers dip some, but a shaky psyche leads to a shaky leg and CMR has shown he's not shy in calling #57's number.

Throw in the fact that there's new blood blowing the special whistles and this definitely could be the facet of the game that proves to be the glue early...and the key to the whole season.