Rd 6, Pick 180 (1): Punter Matt Araiza, San Diego State

[Doc]

8 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

if he is shaky as a holder, the Bills will be really stuck. They can’t sign Araiza to the PS, as he will Be poached. They can’t sign two active punters to the roster. And they can’t afford to roll the dice in a SB year on someone who may mess up Bass as a bad holder. I think they learned from their mistake with Bojo, who screwed up Bass constantly and almost ended Mason Crosby’s career last year. 
 

Given how little the team punts, i suspect they would go with Haack if Araiza is a shaky holder, and pray Haack improves as a punter.

 

If he can't hold, no one will want him.  But Bojo is the first punter I've ever seen/heard of that had trouble holding, much less doing that "we're fake punting this, right?  Right?"  I think it's more mental with Bojo.

 

If Araiza can pick the ball out of the air while receiving the ball to punt, he's got the hardest part of holding down.  The rest is a matter of practice.

 

11 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

So, 🤔

who are you people blaming for the blocked punts?

 

seems that’s an O line issue

 

For whom?  Haack or Araiza?

[muppy]

8 hours ago, The Dean said:

 

You are missing the point. Holding is actually a skill and the entire process needs to go the same way every time. So, the long snapper, kicker, punter, etc, work together as a unit. You simply don't have non ST players holding anymore. The job is too important. And I expect, nuanced.  Yes, "anyone can hold" but can they do it the same way, every time? With the timing, laces out, etc?

 

I'm shocked by the disrespect these positions get from some here. ST is very important. And there are skills and teamwork that involve practice. And constant improvement. So, maybe teach a deep roster WR/RB to hold?  Sure he might be able to get the necessary reps. But they you have one extra ST player on your active roster who normally would be a healthy inactive. 

excellent. I hadn't read your post when I wrote mine. Very well put.

 

m

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

7 minutes ago, Doc said:

For whom?  Haack or Araiza?

I skipped a bunch of pages and glanced over a few pages and skipped a few more 

 

the conversation was about Blocked punts against Utah IIRC. 

Were people blaming Araiza?

 

24 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

What? Hey RIP Van... Have you been sleeping 😴 thru The Revolution! 😉 😜 

asleep at the wheel. Doh 🙄 

[Ralonzo]

27 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

What? Hey RIP Van... Have you been sleeping 😴 thru The Revolution! 😉 😜 

 

The Revolution will not be televised.

 

Mostly because NFL Network always cuts to commercial right before The Revolution.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 hours ago, Rigotz said:

 

Looks like someone doesn’t know the rules.

Teams can protect up to 3 players on the practice squad.

he would need to make it to the PS for us to protect him. If we had to cut him, I suspect he might get signed elsewhere first. 
 

That said, maybe my fears over him

not working out as a holder are inflated, in light of the Bojo experience. 

[Kirby Jackson]

1 hour ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

When did backup QB’s stop holding?

 

 

How much extra time does it take from a backup?

 

It has stopped as practice times have been cut back with the CBA. All 3 phases practice simultaneously now. The specialists are working together while the others are practicing. I don’t know how to make it work but I’m sure that you could. It just isn’t something that anyone else is doing.

[Mr. WEO]

has anyone seen him play?

[without a drought]

22 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

has anyone seen him play?

No, but when he was warming up before the air force game last year, a ball got away from him in the mountain air and ended up in my back yard. He came over to get it, seemed looked a nice enough kid.

[nucci]

42 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

It has stopped as practice times have been cut back with the CBA. All 3 phases practice simultaneously now. The specialists are working together while the others are practicing. I don’t know how to make it work but I’m sure that you could. It just isn’t something that anyone else is doing.

where have you been?

[oldschoolfootball1963]

There is no other fan base that can get a punter thread almost 25 pages long. We truly are the best. God speed to the punt Jesus 

Go Bills 

[Kirby Jackson]

24 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

has anyone seen him play?

Not in person but caught a couple of his games last year. It’s crazy to watch. We’ve heard of “outkicking the coverage.” He “outkicks the returners” at times. 
 

https://youtu.be/OafZBFXyg-M

2 minutes ago, nucci said:

where have you been?

Lol, I pop in from time to time. This place was just so toxic for a while that I chose to stay away.

[muppy]

8 minutes ago, without a drought said:

No, but when he was warming up before the air force game last year, a ball got away from him in the mountain air and ended up in my back yard. He came over to get it, seemed looked a nice enough kid.

Colo Spgs is the Bomb. Ive been to many Air Force academy games. Gorgeous campus . I loved that town as a resident back in the late 80's

[DJB]

Has Beane spoken about this kid yet? And any mention about concerns with holding or anything? 

[Luka]

The Josh Allen of punters. We know he can kick it out of the stadium, but can he develop the touch and nuance needed to keep it out of the end zone? 

[harryS]

2 hours ago, UKBillFan said:

I think Beane said Bass and Ferguson would be helping Arazia in terms of holding. I remember referencing it at the time, why Haack wouldn’t help too. Especially as, in the same comment, Beane called him an elite holder.

 

Haack:  Okay, young Araiza.  This is Holding Lesson #1.  I'm going to teach you a hand-strengthening exercise.  First, splay all your fingers out on that table there.

 

Araiza:  That's weird but okay.  Hey, is that a mallet you're holding in your hand?

 

Haack:  .....  Nope.  This is also not me raising it over my head.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2022 by harryS

[YoloinOhio]

 

[Doc]

51 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

I skipped a bunch of pages and glanced over a few pages and skipped a few more 

 

the conversation was about Blocked punts against Utah IIRC. 

Were people blaming Araiza?

 

Moon was saying he doesn't like Araiza because he's a 3-step punter, because it can lead to blocked punts, and pointed to that game, which is the only game in which he had a blocked punt (2 of them, one partially).  Looking at how they happened, one was a rusher coming in untouched and the other was a high and short snap that caused him to leap forward and bring him closer to the blockers.

[Motorin']

2 hours ago, Doc said:

 

If he can't hold, no one will want him.  But Bojo is the first punter I've ever seen/heard of that had trouble holding, much less doing that "we're fake punting this, right?  Right?"  I think it's more mental with Bojo.

 

If Araiza can pick the ball out of the air while receiving the ball to punt, he's got the hardest part of holding down.  The rest is a matter of practice.

 

 

For whom?  Haack or Araiza?

 

Arazia didn't hold bc he was the kicker first. He's a multi-sport athlete and has been training with former NFL kickers this off-season on his holding. He'll be fine. 

18 minutes ago, DJB said:

Has Beane spoken about this kid yet? And any mention about concerns with holding or anything? 

 

Yeah, Beane said he's been practicing holding the ball with his schlong. But he doesn't have any length or wingspan issues, so he's all set. 

[DCofNC]

His leg is insane and as an emergency place kicker, he’s a great option too.  Really interesting player, but definitely has some work ahead of him to win the job.  He will have to prove he can hold and he’s going to have to tweak his punts for hang time vs raw distance.  No reason to believe he can’t do both, I just hope he can do it in time for cut downs.  I’d hate to see another pick cut and snatched up elsewhere who goes on to perform well.  Great risk/reward for a 6th.

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

You have to love this comment by Matt Araiza! Someone get me a table!!!