Dawn of the Dawg
Fansided

Georgia Football: Special teams could be key again in 2018

By Alistair Penny

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Rodrigo Blankenship #98 of the Georgia Bulldogs kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Rodrigo Blankenship #98 of the Georgia Bulldogs kicks a field goal during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Georgia Football has big expectations for the 2018 season but to reach them, they are going to need their special teams to step it up once again.

One of the most underrated components of the 2017 Georgia Football team was the unit that most don’t even see. How many of us pop to the bathroom during games when the punt team comes on or pull our phones out during kickoffs? There’s little doubt that the special teams unit on most squads are underappreciated. Georgia’s was one of the best in the country last season and it will need to be again if the Dawgs are going to reach the heights many fans want.

Kirby Smart knows how important special teams are. During his time at Alabama, the Tide finished first or second on special teams in the SEC in eight out of nine seasons. He understands that when two great football teams meet, it’s often the little things that make the difference. Special teams is a part of the game that so many do not focus on.

When Shane Beamer moved on to Oklahoma, Smart brought in Scott Fountain to be his special team’s coordinator. Fountain was an analyst on the team last year and helped the unit become one of the best in the country. Now, that unit is his sole focus and Smart feels good about the talent that he has going into this season.

Rodrigo Blankenship has become one of the best kickers in the country. The Dawgs have a young punter in Jake Camarda who according to reports could be a future star. Lastly, they have a tremendous amount of highly talented athletes who can all make a difference whether it’s blocking, covering or returning.

Next. Dawg family rallies around Zamir White. dark

The Dawgs will need to show that 2017 was no fluke when it comes to special teams play. If they can have one of the nations top units once again then they will have a chance to perhaps find their way into the CFP once again this year. If not, it’s more than likely that the Dawgs will fall just short of that goal because to win the big games, you need great special teams.

Home/Georgia Football