For two players not on the Kentucky roster, there sure has been a lot of talk about Randall Cobb and Derrick Locke during spring football. Many a conversation has centered on replacing the production of the two NFL-bound former Wildcats. The two played crucial offensive roles and filling the holes left by them has been a crucial spring storyline.As important as Cobb and Locke were when the Wildcats had the ball, the holes left by their absence on special teams should not be overlooked. The two playmakers helped make UK’s return game ever dangerous and filling that void could turn out to be nearly as important to this season’s success as on offense.”It’s obviously as big an issue there as it is anywhere,” special teams coordinator Greg Nord said. “You’ve got Randall who basically took every one of our punt returns back last year.”In football parlance, the yardage gained and lost on special teams is referred to by some as “hidden yardage.” With the dangerous and sure-handed Cobb and Locke, Kentucky won that battle more often than not.Though fans will likely remember them more for their five combined career return touchdowns, the fact that they could always be relied upon to take care of the football was what made them so valuable.”First and foremost, at the end of a punt especially, we want to have possession of the ball and that is the most important thing,” Nord said. “Obviously we want to get return yardage but maintaining possession of the ball is the key.”With such reliable return men, the backups were at times less motivated to work on that aspect of their games. “A lot of times when you do have a guy like Randall and Derrick, some of the other younger guys and even the older guys at different positions maybe don’t work at it or take it as seriously,” Nord said.Even though it’s a work in progress, players are beginning to step up.”We’re having to bring some guys along,” Nord said. “There are a couple guys who have gotten a little more comfortable in that role.” During spring practices, the punt return game has been a primary focus. Nord has asked a variety of players to catch and run back punts, but it has been two defensive backs that have emerged.Senior corner back Randall Burden and converted junior safety Martavius Neloms, who played corner last season, would be the primary punt returners if the season began today.With coverage teams looking to do everything short of decapitate return men, it’s not for the faint of heart.”A lot of people are really scared to do punt returns because your body is vulnerable because you’re just looking up and trying to figure out how close they are to you,” Burden said. “My biggest thing is catching the ball first because I’m not really scared about getting hit; it’s just about catching the ball and keeping it secure while I’m running with it.”Burden served a backup to Cobb last year and returned punts in high school, so he does have some experience.”I was actually backing Randall up last year but he never came out of the game so I never really got a chance to go back there and catch some,” Burden said. “I did it all through high school so I have a good feel for how to judge the ball and what I need to do, but it will be a big challenge trying to follow in their steps in the return game.”Sophomore running back Raymond Sanders has filled in for Burden and Neloms at times in practice, but it takes a little coercion from his coaches.”(I do) punt returns when they ask me to go back there but I’m not a big fan of punt returns,” Sanders said.Sanders, though, will figure largely into the Wildcats kickoff return team along with senior safety/linebacker Winston Guy. The coaching staff will also evaluate incoming freshman when they arrive on campus.”Winston Guy has done it before, Raymond Sanders has done it and he has looked good,” Nord said. “If we went today it would probably be Raymond and Winston, but there are some freshmen that are coming in and we’re going to give them a quick look in fall camp as well.”Sanders, who returned four kicks for 86 yards as a freshman, admitted that replacing Cobb and Locke is tough, but learning from them is what will allow him to be successful in doing so.”There are big shoes to fill, but they taught me the ropes,” Sanders said. “They had it down pat, the footwork and how to catch it and everything. Coming in and trying to replace them is hard, but learning from them was the best experience I could have.”In his last year at UK, Guy is eager to contribute in any way the staff will let him.”Hopefully I’m back on kick returns,” Guy said. “I talk to coach Nord (saying), ‘Put me back there’. Ever since Randall Cobb left he needs somebody to go back there and step up. I feel like I’m that guy because I’ve done it before. It’s my last year so I’m trying to do as much as I can.”This winter, Guy considered entering the NFL Draft and realizes that playing special teams can help him catch on at the next level.”Especially going into the NFL, they look for players that know how to play their position plus more so I think (playing special teams) is helping me out,” Guy said.Guy had a 96-yard kickoff return during his freshman season, so he may be able to able to provide some big-play potential to make up for the loss of Cobb and Locke.”I still have my speed even though I might have a little weight on me,” Guy said. “I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team out.”While some may dread special teams play, Guy and his team share a positive outlook about it.”Special teams can make or break a game basically, so everybody has to come together, do what they can and do what the coaches ask you to do,” Guy said. “They put you on special teams for a reason, because they think you’re good and you can help out the team.”