McCarter's kick-blocking ability adds to his value

Amy Paterson / photo editor Senior wide safety Rodney McCarter has seven career blocked kicks.

Special teams. The title indicates preferentiality, but they are often neglected in favor of touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games and sacks. Yet, they are special — so special they can alter the very makeup of a game, especially the kick block.

"It’s a quite a weapon," coach Mickey Matthews said. "Teams are very nervous about field goals and punts because it’s so effective."

On JMU’s special teams, the reigning kick block king is senior wide safety Rodney McCarter. The 5-foot-10-inch, 190-pound Philadelphia native has blocked two field goals this season. The first came against the University of Massachusetts Oct. 9 and the second in last weekend’s 20-13 win over the University of Delaware. For his career, McCarter has blocked seven.

In 2003, he blocked a point after attempt at Virginia Tech and field goal try against Hofstra University. In 2002, McCarter got a hold of kicks against Villanova University and the Blue Hens.

"It’s all about coming hard and if you come free, you better get it," McCarter said. "When I come around the corner, [the coaching staff] expects me to get it every time."

And what makes McCarter so adept?

"There are two reasons," Matthews said. "The first thing he does is get a great takeoff. We taught him to watch the center’s hands because they quiver on field goals and punts before the snap."

The second thing is being able to change direction after coming around the end.

"He has the ability to bend at full speed, and that’s extremely rare," Matthews said. "For most people, it’s two different motions.

"The hesitation costs guys the shot — it’s a 90-degree turn."

Like many things, kick blocking is dependent on a certain mentality that includes a sort of reckless confidence because getting kicked in the chest is a very real possibility.

"I think a lot of people close their eyes," McCarter said. "Sometimes I do, and I don’t even see the ball."

McCarter gives a lot of the credit to redshirt senior linebacker Trey Townsend, who also occupies a spot on the blocking unit.

"Trey takes the wing completely out because he comes so hard," McCarter said. "We talk about it at every field goal. We always try to get one."

McCarter has been so good on special teams that the past two years, he has been elected the special teams Most Valuable Player by his teammates.

"Every year, the players vote on an MVP for offense, defense and the kicking game," Matthews said. "Usually, the kicker would win that but it’s been Rodney. That’s how good he is at his craft."

When looking to get an advantage, McCarter doesn’t go to his team’s kickers for advice.

"I don’t ever talk to the kickers," he said. "We try to block them, so we don’t want to talk to them about it and cheat."

This year, the Dukes have blocked five kicks and 16 in the past three years, including seven in 2002.

Others dashing the hopes and dreams of kickers include redshirt junior strong safety Bruce Johnson, junior cornerback Clint Kent and sophomore linebacker Akeem Jordan.

"We’ve blocked so many kicks this year that it’s getting contagious," Matthews said.