Should be an exciting training camp with our Punter competition. People are glad we drafted a Punter in the 7th (Edwards) who can bomb a 80 yarder, but were also thrilled we signed Hackett out of Utah. Its one of the more exiting things I am looking forward to this summer...Our punting competition haha. I guess with how things played out with Quigley, it feels good that we are going through an overhaul in special teams. Lets track the performance here, and get your initial predictions in for who wins the Punter job this season! On one corner... From Hastings, Victoria, Australia - Lachlan Edwards (Sam Houston State) On the other corner... From Melbourne, Australia - Tom Hackett (Utah)
Predicting it now, Hackett will be our longest tenured punter since..umm I really can't remember someone that was here more than 2 years. Tupa?
Chuck Ramsey...From 1977 to 1984 http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RamsCh20.htm All with the Jets http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/career-kicking.htm
Probably the guy we drafted. Hackett seems like he might actually be a better punter, but it is my understanding that it takes him a bit longer to get the ball out. Like he takes additional steps before punting. If that can be fixed, than I would guess Hackett could absolutely win. Keep in mind, I have watched no tape on either of these guys yet, thats just what I've read. I'll try to take a look tonight.
I'm leaning to Edwards. Hackett has some untested aspects to his game and it's really hard to determine how good he is until we see him play.
It's a sad indictment on our ST play that a punter competition thread is at the top of the forum. We need a long snapper competition. Only one will survive P.S. Edwards
I have actually seen a lot of Edwards but never knew his name before he was drafted, watch a lot of Southland Conference games, I think his size and style will win this competition for him. He gets the ball out quicker than Hackett, consistently can boot it 70 yards in the air, when at the 40-45 yard line has the touch to drop it inside the 10. Hackett has just about the same power and touch but I think side by side Edwards will get the edge.
The obvious answer is nobody knows......maybe Hackett with the slight 'Ray Guy Award' name recognition edge but whatever..... Just gimme a rock-solid punter, and not some Aussie Rules Football wannabe "badass" Nick Folk for the FGs and a punter that won't choke (e.g. Quigley's 21-yd., setting up Bills' 1st TD) Effin' Aussies...
No, there is nothing to fix. He can and does punt traditionally sometimes, but he often rolls out and then kicks long and low directionally and has a knack of pinning teams deep. The rollout keeps additional defenders at the line of scrimmage and gives the gunners a couple extra seconds to get downfield, making it almost impossible to return. It will be one of the things to see in camp if that can work in the NFL. He is amazingly accurate. Lachlan has incredible hang time on his punts. Will be super interesting to watch this summer.
I see it more as a credit to our GM/CS for recognizing the issue and addressing it quickly and thoroughly. Special Teams cost us big time last year.
Yeah, watch the tape on Hackett. I wouldn't call his routine adding a few extra steps. The guy runs yards parallel to the line of scrimmage (right) and then drop kick punts. If I'm the ST coach, I am overloading his kicking foot side (of the line) every single time he is kicking. The reason fans love him is that instead of preventing run backs with high trajectory and long hand time balls, he kicks line drives across his body, to the opposite field. Consequently, the football takes weird rolls and the opposing players just leave the ball on the ground in fear of fumbling. Prob won't work in the NFL. Who knows....
Sigh, I feel so old, I actually remember Curly Johnson being out punter......but looking at his career average he was a damn good one! Whole generation of fans grew up knowing no one but Pat Leahy as our kicker...17 years with the Jets.
