TheTJB20: Good Will Punting
No need to get right into it, we’ll start it off light, with a little YOO-MUR to break the tension. In this post we discuss Tom Tupa, Foster’s Beer and rocked up special teamers. Trust us, the questions get better.
Need a second to review the rules and the panelists, check out the introductions.
1) OK … probably THE most critical question of the season … who will be the punter for the Jets in 2009?
Bob Glauber from Newsday: If it doesn’t work out with Kevin Huber, then how about Sean Landeta? I’m telling you right now. If the Jets call, he’ll be there.
Max from JetNation.com: The Jets won’t need a punter. Jay Feely after a full training camp will be good for field goals from 60. If they hit 4th down out of his range, they will just go for it. Welcome to Rex-Ball.
R in CT from DamnedCT: The next Jets punter is still probably playing for some rugby team in Australia, feeding his dingo and knocking back a few Fosters. Or currently waiting to graduate from college.
Josh Alper from NBCNewYork.com: What’s Tom Tupa doing? You could kill two birds with one stone.
Bent from TheJetsBlog.com: Whoa…one step at a time. We finally have a situation where the punter’s kicks have more hang time than the quarterback’s out patterns. Hodges is fine.
Drack from TheJetsBlog.com: Well, if I had my way it would be Chuck Ramsey, but unless ol’ #15 is willing to get off his couch…
I believe Mike Westhoff is beside himself when it comes to the Jets punting game. The star that was Ben Graham dimmed just as quickly as it brightened (crikey!), leaving the Jets with a big hole. I gotta believe this turn of events really irratated the easily irascible Westhoff as he thought he had a real weapon in Graham.
A punter’s role on a team is more important than people think. He is vital to the field position game within the game and with the Jets taking a defense-first philosophy under Ryan; field position is going to be even more important in the next few years. If you need any evidence to as to how much a good punter can mean to a team, just look at what Mike Scifres did for the Chargers late last year. And let’s not forget that the punter usually plays the role of holder on field goals. Remember Tom Tupa in Oakland in 2002?
Who is going to be the Jets punter this year? Frankly, I have no idea. But I’d bet Westhoff hopes it’s NOT Reggie Hodges.
As a special teams aside, I thought it was interesting that Westhoff was taking a real close look at USC’s David Buehler. A full time replacement for Feely? Probably not. But if he can play as physical as his workout numbers, he could contribute more than your average kicker while acting as Jets kickoff specialist. Kinda like having the kickoff specialist without the roster spot.
Angel from TheJetsBlog.com: I know the question was asked with some sarcasm, but I do believe that it’s fairly critical. The punting game and field position battle was directly responsible for our loss to New England in Week Two of 2008. Ben Graham was rightfully dropped and Reggie Hodges was a slight upgrade, but this is a position where I expect the Jets to bring in a lot of guys to try-out during training camp.
Add your thoughts on the Jets punting situation in the comments.
22 Responses to TheTJB20: Good Will Punting
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JetObsessed2 says:
I can punt…give me a shot!
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“Screw it, let’s just forego punting for an entire season and see where it gets us.”
That should have been my answer.
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BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
Like Gregg Easterbrook from TMQ says, we should just ‘go for it’ on every fourth down ! Then we’ll have an aggressive Offense to match with our aggressive Defense.
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ronnie says:
there will be plenty of surprising punters who get cut during training camp.
Also, if im not mistaken, hunter smith is still a free agent. -
DaveTN says:
I am interested to hear the football prospectus guys on this one- I read a few years back that statistical analysis has shown that teams should literally never punt.
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We will need to bring in a guy…..Hodges was an improvement but that’s not saying much. Remember we pulled Feely off the scrap heap also
Is Pittsburg’s Mitch Berger still available??
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J-E-T-S says:
Draft David Buehler and try him at punter.
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Nelson17 says:
I agree J-E-T-S, the guy from USC looks pretty good
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Davo says:
Seriously, hard can it be to find a good punter??? Soccer is the most popular game in the world, and a professional goalkeeper can kick it 80 yards out of his hands to a specific player. It always baffles me….
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It does seem hard to fathom Davo, but when you think about it- those who play soccer/rugby are in the game, running around, and warmed up when we have to kick a ball that is rounder and softer- designed with kicking at least partly in mind. In the NFL, you are pulled off the bench cold, given one shot to punt a ball that is slick, hard, and designed pretty much solely for the forward pass, (and it better be a perfect kick) then you sit down for another 20 minutes. I can see how that would be hard.
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Brad says:
off topic- anyone see the mock draft from rotoworld. It has DHB going to oakland at #7, Jets taking Maclin at #17- but stating he probably wont contribute much his first yr. since he is coming out of the spread offense- role will be the slot reciever. More suprising- Tyson Jackson doesnt get picked in the first round, and Jarron Gilbert gets picked by the lions at #20!
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brad, if theres any way that tyson jackson is still on the board that late, the jets should trade up for him. 2nd and 4th rounder for an early 2nd.
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IhorNYC says:
Davo – I’m shocked I never thought of a soccer goalie (being an ex-goalie in high school) – you’re right, I’ve even seen a few times where goalies have kicked it back to each other a couple of times during a game – I’m sure Shep Messing or Hubert Birkenmeier are available!
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the one thing about a soccer ball is that it’s a more aerodynamic ball to kick … footballs aerodynamically are terrible since so much is lost in the end over end spinning.
the real trick at punting would be finding someone with a JUGS machine surgically attached to their foot …
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mole57 says:
Didn’t we try out Tony Meola once upon a time?
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Mrjetgreen says:
The whisper going on right now is that the Jets are looking to move up in round two and draft a punter.
They are also reported to be having serious contract talks with the agent of TE Doug Jolly.
We are able and willing to pay the big price it will take to get both these Gems.
Doug Jolly AND a punter, brilliant!
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hank/naples says:
Bassett:
Darnit !!!! You’re right. Cant compare the two sports, It’s all about the design of the ball.
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Frank Cip says:
How hard is it to find a decent punter.. honestly?
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Bent says: I thought we already had. What is so bad about Hodges?
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oleosmirf says:
its much easier to kick a soccer ball than a football/rugby ball.
then again i’m all for David Beckham as our franchise kicker…
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oleosmirf, for $40 mill, I think Beckham is available ;-)
if you dont believe the significance of punting, you obviously were not watching this years playoffs.
punting played a large role in losing the 1st pats game this year.
we need a good punter