24th in the league in Gross Avg, and 27th in Net Avg. This shows he doesn't have real superior leg strength, distance or hang time. Additionally, he doesn't posess any real distinct accuracy. Punting is a weakness right now, especially considering we plan on winning with field positioning and defense. I'd actually rather we had kept Graham. Inconsistency can be worked on, leg strength and accuracy is harder to teach.
I thought Hodges was solid last year, though I know most disagree. There has to be some veteran FA out there that's as good if not better than these guys.
He also only punted in 12 games - most of the league's other punters had 4 extra games to improve their numbers.
You guys will find anything to worry about, he was fine last year, he's just a punter, he's not going to win or lose us games.
hahaha, i'm not leaping into traffic just yet. we have some incredible special teams talent and coaching. punting a bit of a question mark though, so bears watching this offseason.
Respectfully. Agreed. Maybe Hodges' didn't nail '65-yard-bombs' (meaningless without an accessory 4.5 sec. "hang"), but 'bulldog' hysteria aside, Fresno's great 'blocked punt' record ( viewed vis-a-vis the 'speed' consideration of a 'major') was simply a "mid-major" talent (respectfully) to be measured against, a "major" conference Frank Beamer's type of special-team-disaster scheme that has--like Fresno State--dominanted major conferences in that particular 'blocked punt/FG' realm. About the "he's a punter, god damn it" rhetoric, well, what can I say? ...easy, killer. I'm sure that when the "O" gets hammered for NO GAIN inside their own 10 on 1st and 10 (on the road) and the 'endzone freaks' are deafiningly screaming...and the "O" the gets hammered again for NO GAIN (bringing up 3rd & 10) and the "O" gets yet hammered again (again, in the "home team's" endzone) and the 'locals' are NOW at at fever pitch.. the "he's just a GOD-DAMN PUNTER!" comes into play.... been there?....done that?.... we're both Jet fans; though 'new' to the boards, pls. dial-down the hostility, pleeze Bulldog....
What I'm trying to say is this: it really doesn't matter what level of competition a kicker or a punter plays at. Adam Vinatieri, who is arguably the best kicker of all time, played ball at South Dakota State. A 50+ yard kick is 50+ yards no matter what league you're in. (I'm also willing to bet that Fresno, BYU, Boise, and TCU have more speed than many "major" programs...but that's another debate)
Yeah but I sure see the difference when the Raiders guy punts and pins guys back and our guy punts into the endzone and the ball is taken out to the 20 yard line. Same goes for booming punts with hangtime. I'd like for us to have a guy like that.
I agree, we are already shuffling punters, not a good sign, field position battles are important to this type of game plan, we need strength and positional accuracy...
Glad you took it in the intended spirit (granted, there are many "3 yards & a cloud o' dust programs whose "40's" might not be as 4.4-laden). To that end (in another thread-to echo your point) I cited Pat Leahy as a very solid Jet (aside from that Monday Night BRICK at Soldier Field; but who did nail a 55-yarder at the Meadowlands--was freezing my tail off at that one--during that frigid game vs. the SB Bears) and who was a St.Louis Billiken(?) product, albeit Leahy being from what was a soccer powerhouse. That said, point taken. Hope to exchange down the road. (sincere) Regards.
