UK Special Teams Preview

Players Lost: Lones Seiber (K)

Players Returning: Ryan Tydlacka (P), Craig McIntosh (K)

Incoming Freshmen: Joe Mansour (K)

Overview

Special Teams for Kentucky football has been somewhat of a lightning rod among fans the past few seasons.  Joker Phillips understands the importance of special teams play and decided to call it “special forces.”  The new coach wanted his team to understand the importance of special teams play.  The Cats let go assistant coach Steve Ortmayer, who did some great things while at UK, and replaced him with Greg Nord.  Nord was an assistant at Illinois and has UK ties. 

The Cats return two of the SEC’s best return men in Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb.  Both players are explosive and the staff wants them to have the ball in their hands as much as possible.  However, when they need a break, look for Raymond Sanders, Jerrell Priester or Mychal Bailey to possibly return kicks. 

With UK’s career leading scoring gone (Lones Seiber), Ryan Tydlacka will handle the punt and field goal duties initially.  Look for either Craig McIntosh or Joe Mansour to handle the kick-off duties.  Mansour has the strongest leg of the group, but is still working on timing and consistency.  With field position being so crucial, look for Mansour to take over the field goal and kick off duties at some point.  Coming out of high school, Mansour was named to the All-Georgia Decade team. 

As far as covering kicks, look for more speed than in recent years.  There will be several freshmen who make an impact with their speed and tackling abilities.  The Cats have potential for a “special” year in 2010 and the “special forces” unit could be the difference in a good season or a great season.