Special Teams, AKA: Sam Swank

When you think of Wake's Special Teams unit there really is only one name that comes to mind: Sam Swank.

Despite the fact that his 2007 numbers weren't quite as good as those from 2006, Swank is still one of the best kickers in the nation and certainly the best in the ACC. Despite a couple of key misses last season, there's still no other guy I'd like to have lining it up from 52 yards out with only seconds on the clock. I'd love to see him improve his punting average a bit this season, but ultimately he is still an effective enough punter and an outstanding kicker, so I really can't complain.

As far as returning kicks goes, Alphonso Smith is still expected to be the man. His speed and shiftiness is perfect for the job, but I do worry a little bit about letting him do it all the time just because of the possibility of an injury. I don't know how often returners really do get injured, but it seems like a job that lends itself to that type of thing, and it would not make me very happy to lose such a key element of our defense because of a silly returning injury. I think we'll see Y'lou returning some of the kicks and we may even find that he's the perfect man for the job. If he can do it just as effectively as Phonz can then there's no reason for him not to be doing it.


In the case of most schools the special teams preview would probably be done at this point, but for the 2008 Demon Deacons we can't move on quite so quickly. For the last several years Nick Jarvis has done his job perfectly. Thanks to him Wake fans never even need to think about the Long Snapper. With his graduation the job is no longer so secure.

Coach Grobe and his staff spent much of the spring trying to lock down a snapper and it just never got to the point where anyone really nailed down the job. Fourth string QB Ryan McManus initially seemed to be the man for the job, but in several weeks of work he never looked consistent or comfortable. He may very well end up being the guy for the job but at this point that isn't a sure thing. The problem is that that there doesn't seem to be an easy answer to the question at this point. Russell Nenon should be able to take care of business for FG/XP snapping but the rest of the job is still questionable.

As long as that issue gets taken care of by game time on August 28, I have no reason to be concerned with our special teams unit.

Do you think we should be concerned? Let us know in the comments.