Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Football: Checklist for A title run in 2017 – Game Management

By Pete Kang

October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a touchdown pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a touchdown pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins punter Austin Kent (92) prior to a NCAA football game against the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins punter Austin Kent (92) prior to a NCAA football game against the Oregon State Beavers at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Special Part of the Game

Special Teams are, well, Special!! How special? After the 1996 NFL regular season, the Green Bay Packers won Brett Favre’s only Super Bowl. Even though Favre won the League MVP that year, there was some strange talk during the season about Desmond Howard, who was a 3rd or 4th option in the passing game, but was a block of C-4 playing for Green Bay’s special teams! That year, the Packers, starting field position was far superior to that of any other team in the league.

There is no better way to assess a coaching staff’s performance than to pay attention to in game adjustments and end of half 2, 3 and 4 minute drills.

It was because of Desmond Howard. It’s no secret that Howard won the Super Bowl 31 MVP award after a superlative game changing effort with Special Teams as well as a TD reception on offense.

Please, let’s just go ahead and agree that the Green Bay Packers of Super Bowl 31 would not have competed the way that they did that season, without Howard dominating Down and Distance for the Packers. He was the MVP that season, not Favre! Don’t shoot!!

Yes, I had to use an example from the pros to illustrate this truism. It’s just another moment when we are reminded of something we already know, which is the immense impact that  special teams can have on a game, as well as an entire season. Down and Distance is supreme. End of game clock management.

Next: Early grades for the 2018 UCLA Football recruiting class

There is no better way to assess a coaching staff’s performance than to pay attention to in game adjustments and end of half 2, 3 and 4 minute drills. Nuff said. The End