NCAAbbs

From his blog reply to Talon 20-Aug: [ ... I think the surprise in the kicking game is a plus, although I am surprised to learn that your keen eye didn't pick up on it while watching practice. But to be honest, I didn't notice until Bailiff pointed it out to me. - MK]
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"Budlight's" response on the 21st: "MK, I know the "surprise". As a reporter please ask them "why?" What's the purpose?"

[I've already asked why, how, etc., and to be honest, the move makes perfect sense. Whether or not it works is something else, but the logic behind it is sound. - MK]
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Further from MK: [I've been sworn to secrecy. That's the funny thing about practice; when I see something that is strategic, I can't divulge the goods. I don't mind the limitations because it's part of the job. - MK]

So what's the secret ???????????

It's kind of against my nature, but I think I would enjoy actually being surprised by this one.

Although, if we're going to speculate, I would assume it is a starter we wouldn't expect being in some way involved with the kicking game (I would've said Thor, who was at one time last season the backup punter IIRC, but that seems to have been ruled out by MK's response about Thor as holder).

Just another thing to look forward to about the SMU game that starts in less than 7 days, 4 hours...

I know the secret too, and I think it will surprise everyone!

Joannie guesses Thor will be kicking off this year. I guessed an end to the stupid punt formation we used last year but MK said that wasn't it in his blog.

I'll guess Chase is going to be our punter on a lot of occasions (when it's 4th and short). He'll line up under center but scoot back at the last moment for a pooch punt. He's done it before I think and has looked okay and it should prevent the opposition from setting up a punt return.

MOB will line up in the endzone for all kick offs.

Upbacks pants ref to distract receiving team?

Another school tried that formation. It did not work well. I see replays occasionally on ESPN. I wonder how that trombone player made out.

"The players tried to take the field. The marching band refused to yeild" - Don McLean

Flying "V"?

FANGMEIER!!

I'm taking it from the "k" that you're a parent or sibling... Love Clark, though... I met him on a cruise the summer before he came to Rice.

If it's Thor kicking off, one would think MK would have picked up on it without being told by Bailiff. (Though the idea would be kind of cool, with Casey as part of the last line of defense if the coverage breaks down.) No, I'm thinking it's got to be something more subtle, yet effective. Not sure what, though.

1) All onsides kicks?
2) Dropkicks on extra points (ala Jim Thorpe and Doug Flutie)?
3) All reverses/fake reverses on KO returns?
4) Thor as wedgebuster on coverage and wedge on returns?
5) Dillard leaping over the line to block kicks (or leaping over the crossbar
to swat away long FGs)?

Unless this is actually something that is going to give us an advantage over smu I wish someone would let us out-of-towner know what it is.

I heard that we don't ever plan on having to punt, so Bailiff cut all of the punters.

yeah...im the one in the family who keeps track of rice football and give everyone the info...im his brother btw...but anyways so far you guy aren't close =P

Let's just let it go until Friday night. If DB wants to keep it secret, then there is no legitimate reason that we need to know it now. We'll all know soon enough.

At first glance, this made a lot of sense to me, especially on long attempts that might barely clear. Then I thought, wait a minute, wouldn't that just count as a muffed return attempt? someone clear this up for me.

As for the secret, i am willing to wait until Friday and not give SMU any little edge. But in case i don't recognize it (about a 50-50 chance), SOMEONE PLEASE post it here after the game.

OK,, I cant keep a secret

here it is,,lets see if smu can stop it.


H'bone got another year of eligibitly.

+1.

Wait a minute, the moniker of the poster must have given it away. We've come up with a way to make Bud Light taste like lemon-lime Gatorade (shoot, making Bud Light taste like anything is probably an improvement) and will put it in SMU's sideline coolers and in locker room refreshment, to get them drunk throughout the game. That'll work. Should make for an interesting 4th quarter.

Our trombone players have been taking blocking drills all summer.
Shhhhh,
Chuck

Teh Chork is talking noise. I'm betting the play is, bass drummer bounces the ball with an awesome loud ricochet (BIGGITY BAM) and then a wind player grabs it. Any wind player -- they're kinda interchangeable.

The QB at my HS was also an all-state punter, so this was something they did occasionally (although the coach was conservative and defense-minded, so not too often), and something opposing teams always had to look out for...

Not badly. Gary Tyrell is currently CFO of a Silicon Valley venture capital fund, the Woodside Fund.

Haters to the left! Saxophones represent! /embarrassing commentary

3rd down punts.

Just kidding!

my grandpa still tells story about the earlier days of football, when it was routine for teams to have their fullbacks take "quick kicks" on third down if they thought it would be best for the field position battle. These guys would routinely kick 50-60 yards with all kinds of funny spins and bounces...

Grandpa??!! Now I'm feeling REALLY old. OK, so I am. I remember watching TV broadcasts of Tennessee with its single-wing formation and triple-threat tailbacks (who received the snap from center), like Johnny Majors. One of the "threats" was kicking, especially quick kicks on 3rd (or even earlier) downs.

Several of the most memorable are described in the book "Legends of the Tennessee Vols", which is readable/searchable on Google Books.

In this 2001 article, Majors talks a bit about the tactic:

WOO HOOO

Put me in coach!!!

Considering Hambone's political takes, does that mean his kicks now will go wide right?

No, clearly they will be right on target.

We used a quick kick in our last victory over the Aggies in '80 at Kyle Field.
Can't remember who did it.
That was a field position game that we won 10-6, IIRC.

Was there a quick kick last season?

Wow... I am so misunderstood

My kicks always started out to the right, but hooked back left... of course, iirc, most of my misses WERE right.

That's because you usually kicked toward the East and compensated for the giant sucking sound coming from Oklahoma...