Better, But Not Special Enough

As a group, there was massive improvement. Still, it wasn't enough for Tommy Perry. Ranking No. 11 nationally overall in special teams was good, but part of the ranking stuck in his craw.

"We were second in the conference, which was a burr in my saddle," said the Colorado State special teams coordinator. "I didn't come here to be second."

UNLV had a higher finish than did the Rams, based on the numbers they use generated by Championship Analytics Inc. What CAI takes into account goes well beyond the normal net punt and yards gained on kicks, factoring in game situations, field position and overall results. Many teams use these numbers, finding them to be a greater indicator of overall success.

Perry has 10 in-game metrics he uses, the obvious goal being to win them all head-to-head. He's never had a perfect score in his coaching tenure, and only a few times has he had a team hit nine of the metrics.

Last year, the Rams did. But the only loss was to UNLV.

"As a compliment to them, I thought we had just as good if not better players, but they played their tails off," Perry said. "We have to find a way to make sure we maintain that all throughout. I told them the difference between average to good is not nearly as big as good to great. Good to great means taking away the big return UNLV had, the one Washington State had. Take those away, we're top five in the country in net punt. To do that, you have to bring every rep, every practice and have a sense of attention to detail and always do it the right way."

Which has been the plan since Perry's arrival with Jay Norvell. The first year was about teaching and gaining buy in. Last year was all about making that leap, and it helps when veteran players such as Henry Blackburn, Jack Howell and Chase Wilson show a passion for wanting to be on as many of those units as possible.

Blackburn takes pride in his roles on teams. For one, it's fun. Secondly, it's a chance to make an impact. Third, he was sick of those teams being more a hindrance than a help to the team.

"Coach Perry did a great job coming in here and establishing a culture of special teams. I think the guys really embraced it and bought into what we were doing on teams," Blackburn said. "Everybody knows we're dangerous on teams, and that's something we take pride in. Being here in the early years we weren't great on teams, and those still sting. Those memories will never go away of what bad special teams look like and what good special teams look like. The guys who have bene here for a while take pride in how we've changed the culture of teams and how seriously we take it.

"I think guys can already see how seriously everybody takes it. When you have a bunch of older guys and you see how they take special teams and now seriously they take it, it's contagious. Everybody is locked in and taking notes. We are excited when we're out there working on special teams."

Which is a switch, one which only brings more fire to the already enthusiastic Perry. Earlier this week, after a long practice, the Rams finished with punt work. As he barked out orders, the energy rose.

This is what Jaylen Gardner witnessed last year as a true freshman, but he already had set his sights on earning playing time on those units. Perry implored the importance of those units before he ever arrived on campus.

"Knowing Coach Perry, he was the main person to call me, the first person to call me and talk about Colorado State," Gardner said. "I knew him from UTSA, we had a connection one time and when I came over, I knew his mindset was special teams. He brought me here, even if it wasn't to play defense, I was going to be his special teams player. I wanted to do whatever I could for this team."

What he did was produce the most special teams tackles last season, six, just beating out Blackman's five.

Neither of them were aware of the numbers, but now that they are, it will only add another level of competition to the season.

"We didn't know, but now there's going to be a little friendly competition for sure," Gardner said. "It's gonna be a little bit more. I'm never going to let that go."

Heading into his third year, Perry's goals are to move into the top 10 and past UNLV, units and a coordinator (James Shibest) he respects.

How to get there is more attention to detail, finding the extra effort when it's the fourth quarter and players are drained. Those are big situations when games are in the balance for a squad which had six games close with a one-score difference.

He said the team is reading a book about golf which has helped. On the sideline, that's their thinking box. The side line is the marker for decision time. Step over it, they are in the playing box where they must focus on the one to three things which each are assigned.

"Whatever we did last year to get to where we were, it's not more of the same," Perry said. "You have to break down the engine and rebuild the whole car so you're paying attention to every detail. We have a lot of starters on punt. There are going to be times we're tired. How can we call upon, as we're tired, more focus? How can I call on those things with more intentionality."

For Blackburn, the ask is simple.

His intentionality is already there when he crosses the line in attempt to erase the past and build for the future. That mentality has started to bleed throughout the roster, which helps.

"I like special teams because you're playing football in space. We play safety, that's what we do, we play in space," he said. "Special teams, you use the whole 100 yards. Guys like me and Jaylen like to play in space. We like to be able to run. It's running and hitting at full speed. Guys like us, we have an advantage.

"Special teams is game-changing plays. One play on teams can change the course of a game, so we take it very seriously. I love it. It's fun to play."

But if Perry wants Blackburn more fired up, all he'll have to do is remind him he lost the tackle race to a true freshman. That, or Gardner will.

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