Minnesota's dire special teams situation 'unlike anything' P.J. Fleck has seen

[BleedGopher]

per Scott:

For Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, Saturday’s game against Michigan was going to be tough enough. But Fleck had to deal with a number of players out for the season opener, including both his kicking positions.

Joining tackle Daniel Faalele, guard Curtis Dunlap, Jr., starting linebacker Barelen Oliver and reserve defensive back Phillip Howard on the injured list, were starting kicker Michael Lantz and punter Mark Crawford. Kickoff specialist Dragan Kesich was also unavailable.

With the special teams units starting at a distinct advantage, Fleck reflected on the unique nature of the situation at hand.

“I will say this situation is unique. I’ve never seen anything like [it] in my life,” said Fleck according to the Twin Cities Pionner Press. “Usually those are the guys (specialists) who don’t get hurt. They have no contact in practices and games and usually you can scale down to get them ready for game day. When they all get taken from you, it’s unique and that makes decision making a little bit different.”

“I’m not going to get into specifics into why they missed the game; you can probably imagine, it kind of hit the specialists pretty hard, and it hit them at different times.”

Minnesota's dire special teams situation 'unlike anything' P.J. Fleck has seen

Minnesota's special teams was seriously depleted on Saturday.

saturdaytradition.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Us too PJ

 

[Taji34]

So we were essentially down 6 starters, and one backup. 2 people missing from an already relatively inexperienced defense really begins to explain why it was as bad as it was.

This does give me hope that things will solidify once some of these players are cleared to come back. Hopefully some are back before Iowa and hopefully we can handle Maryland and Illinois in the meantime.

 

[MplsGopher]

So we were essentially down 6 starters, and one backup. 2 people missing from an already relatively inexperienced defense really begins to explain why it was as bad as it was.

This does give me hope that things will solidify once some of these players are cleared to come back. Hopefully some are back before Iowa and hopefully we can handle Maryland and Illinois in the meantime.

As bad as the first two punts were, they only resulted in missed Michigan FG attempts. That didn't hurt us. His final two punts were fine. The fake is on PJ, but you can certainly argue it and the ensuring Mich TD could be partly blamed on lack of confidence of the punter. But from your own 30 something yard line?? It'd be another thing is it was on their 30 something yard line.

We didn't miss the FG attempts we made, don't think we were in a position where we had to choose between risking a long FG attempt vs going for it.

Kickoffs were what they were. The last squib style got a big return, but that wasn't the kickers fault per se. The sky-ball style were fine after that, as well.

Howard has been passed up by younger guys on the depth chart, first on offense and now on defense. I'm sure he's a capable backup, and may yet contribute this year, we'll see.


The main three that hurt us were Oliver (would've started over Lindenberg, probably pushing the rookie to start over Aune), and Dunlap and Faalele. And I don't think we'll get any of those three back this year. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Taji34]

As bad as the first two punts were, they only resulted in missed Michigan FG attempts. That didn't hurt us. His final two punts were fine. The fake is on PJ, but you can certainly argue it and the ensuring Mich TD could be partly blamed on lack of confidence of the punter. But from your own 30 something yard line?? It'd be another thing is it was on their 30 something yard line.

We didn't miss the FG attempts we made, don't think we were in a position where we had to choose between risking a long FG attempt vs going for it.

Kickoffs were what they were. The last squib style got a big return, but that wasn't the kickers fault per se. The sky-ball style were fine after that, as well.

Howard has been passed up by younger guys on the depth chart, first on offense and now on defense. I'm sure he's a capable backup, and may yet contribute this year, we'll see.


The main three that hurt us were Oliver (would've started over Lindenberg, probably pushing the rookie to start over Aune), and Dunlap and Faalele. And I don't think we'll get any of those three back this year. Hope I'm wrong.

Yeah Oliver is probably out the season.

Dunlap and Faalele are another matter, as we don't know much about their situations. The most likely theory I've heard is whatever caused Dunlap to initially want to transfer meant he was not practicing with the team, and that he only recently started practicing again. That means the only real thing keeping him out is getting back into playing shape. How long it takes for him to get to a position where he can play well enough to be back in rotation is unknown.

Faalele is all guesses at this point. We haven't heard anything solid about why he's not playing. There were unconfirmed rumors he was considering opting out of the season for COVID reasons, but I think he would have announced it publicly if he had decided to go that route. I can't imagine he's still undecided at this point as games have started. However, if he was on the fence, he may not have been practicing in the off-season and could also just be in a situation where he needs to get back into playing shape before playing.

They also could both have an undisclosed injury, though I feel like local sports reporters would have heard something by now and reported it more broadly.

 

[MGGopher]

Yeah Oliver is probably out the season.

Dunlap and Faalele are another matter, as we don't know much about their situations. The most likely theory I've heard is whatever caused Dunlap to initially want to transfer meant he was not practicing with the team, and that he only recently started practicing again. That means the only real thing keeping him out is getting back into playing shape. How long it takes for him to get to a position where he can play well enough to be back in rotation is unknown.

Faalele is all guesses at this point. We haven't heard anything solid about why he's not playing. There were unconfirmed rumors he was considering opting out of the season for COVID reasons, but I think he would have announced it publicly if he had decided to go that route. I can't imagine he's still undecided at this point as games have started. However, if he was on the fence, he may not have been practicing in the off-season and could also just be in a situation where he needs to get back into playing shape before playing.

They also could both have an undisclosed injury, though I feel like local sports reporters would have heard something by now and reported it more broadly.

On the GG pod, Burns said he wouldn't expect either Dunlap or Faalele this year. Dunlap was in a hard cast on Saturday and it's speculated he tore his achilles tendon. If that's true, he's out for a long time. On Faalele, Burns said, "he's basically like an opt-out." Don't know the reasons -- COVID related or otherwise -- but he's apparently not with the team right now. I'm sure people on this board with connections to the team know the reasons, but perhaps they can't share. Anyone seen a large Australian man about the metro area? Put out an APB...

Coupled with Oliver's apparently season-ending injury and that week 1 beatdown, it's all an EXTREMELY tough pill to swallow, but this season is a weird one anyway. I'm now of the mindset that this is all bonus football and a glorified exhibition schedule. Of course I want MN to win every game, but the condensed practice schedule, injuries, COVID stuff, etc. Nobody will lose eligibility and everyone -- especially the underclassmen -- will get game reps against good competition.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

On the GG pod, Burns said he wouldn't expect either Dunlap or Faalele this year. Dunlap was in a hard cast on Saturday and it's speculated he tore his achilles tendon. If that's true, he's out for a long time. On Faalele, Burns said, "he's basically like an opt-out." Don't know the reasons -- COVID related or otherwise -- but he's apparently not with the team right now. I'm sure people on this board with connections to the team know the reasons, but perhaps they can't share. Anyone seen a large Australian man about the metro area? Put out an APB...

Coupled with Oliver's apparently season-ending injury and that week 1 beatdown, it's all an EXTREMELY tough pill to swallow, but this season is a weird one anyway. I'm now of the mindset that this is all bonus football and a glorified exhibition schedule. Of course I want MN to win every game, but the condensed practice schedule, injuries, COVID stuff, etc. Nobody will lose eligibility and everyone -- especially the underclassmen -- will get game reps against good competition.

Not with the team worries me. Like no practices? Of all guys Faalele still needs to adapt to that job still. Dude still gets beat more than would be OK in the NFL... NFL isn't a good place to learn, assuming that's his plan.

 

[Bryce Webster]

Isn't the most troubling aspect the fact that none of the injured/Coco players are defensive starters (outside of Oliver)? Regardless of the circumstances of 2020, it appears we were planning to come into the season totally under prepared at some very key defensive positions.

 

[WhoFellDownTheGopherHole?]

Not with the team worries me. Like no practices? Of all guys Faalele still needs to adapt to that job still. Dude still gets beat more than would be OK in the NFL... NFL isn't a good place to learn, assuming that's his plan.

What if.... he simply doesn't love the game? He has only played for a few seasons in his entire life and didn't grow up living and breathing it like most everyone else did. That's a lot of money to walk away from but perhaps his heart just isn't in it. Whether he moves on to the NFL or not, if he doesn't play this year, i'm not sure we ever see him in another Gopher game.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

What if.... he simply doesn't love the game? He has only played for a few seasons in his entire life and didn't grow up living and breathing it like most everyone else did. That's a lot of money to walk away from but perhaps his heart just isn't in it. Whether he moves on to the NFL or not, if he doesn't play this year, i'm not sure we ever see him in another Gopher game.

That would be understandable.

 

[MGGopher]

Isn't the most troubling aspect the fact that none of the injured/Coco players are defensive starters (outside of Oliver)? Regardless of the circumstances of 2020, it appears we were planning to come into the season totally under prepared at some very key defensive positions.

It's totally understandable to be concerned, although I'll note that I'm sure a full spring practice season, spring game, summer/fall practices, and 3 non-conference games would've helped tremendously in easing some of these young guys into their roles. Getting thrust onto the national stage against a likely top-15 Michigan team was definitely a rude awakening, but I think many are now convinced the D is less talented and capable than we otherwise might have. Like everyone else, I'm hopeful they grow and improve REAL quickly.

 

[LakevilleBro]

What is Daniel Faalele's injury?

 

[fmlizard]

Just raw speculation here, but with significant restrictions on travel to Australia from the USA right now Faalele may have gone back home for family reasons? He could also be concerned as a very large human - most NFL opt-outs were big linemen.

 

[MplsGopher]

Just raw speculation here, but with significant restrictions on travel to Australia from the USA right now Faalele may have gone back home for family reasons? He could also be concerned as a very large human - most NFL opt-outs were big linemen.

Someone was speculating that his family moved here (to Minnesota) to support him during college, and that his younger brother was at Benilde.

(interesting choice of the school, if you basically have your free pick of programs in the metro .... aren't the Fleck's Catholics? )

I have no idea how valid this site is, since it's 3rd party (the official school site does not have rosters posted), but the brother is indeed listed here: https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schoo...nights-(st-louis-park,mn)/football/roster.htm

 

[MplsGopher]

On the GG pod, Burns said he wouldn't expect either Dunlap or Faalele this year. Dunlap was in a hard cast on Saturday and it's speculated he tore his achilles tendon. If that's true, he's out for a long time. On Faalele, Burns said, "he's basically like an opt-out." Don't know the reasons -- COVID related or otherwise -- but he's apparently not with the team right now. I'm sure people on this board with connections to the team know the reasons, but perhaps they can't share. Anyone seen a large Australian man about the metro area? Put out an APB...

Coupled with Oliver's apparently season-ending injury and that week 1 beatdown, it's all an EXTREMELY tough pill to swallow, but this season is a weird one anyway. I'm now of the mindset that this is all bonus football and a glorified exhibition schedule. Of course I want MN to win every game, but the condensed practice schedule, injuries, COVID stuff, etc. Nobody will lose eligibility and everyone -- especially the underclassmen -- will get game reps against good competition.

It's totally understandable to be concerned, although I'll note that I'm sure a full spring practice season, spring game, summer/fall practices, and 3 non-conference games would've helped tremendously in easing some of these young guys into their roles. Getting thrust onto the national stage against a likely top-15 Michigan team was definitely a rude awakening, but I think many are now convinced the D is less talented and capable than we otherwise might have. Like everyone else, I'm hopeful they grow and improve REAL quickly.

Very much agree with your mindset in these posts here.

STILL ... the season does count (assuming it can be finished). Any trophies we manage to win, will count, and will be in the case. Not that you're disputing that.

It was a not great loss, but Fleck and staff aren't lying when they said that the game was closer than the score indicated. We had our chances. Lot of things bounced Michigan's way. Woulda, coulda.

 

[GopherGerty]

I can confirm as my daughter goes to the U and is friends with Dunlop that he did mess up his achilles. Pretty sure he won't be back this year.

 

[swelna]

I can confirm as my daughter goes to the U and is friends with Dunlop that he did mess up his achilles. Pretty sure he won't be back this year.

Well...I guess Les was right...