MattyT Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 Why aren't there any combination kicker/punters in the NFL? Seems like it would be a good way to free up a roster spot if you could have one person cover both duties. I realize that placekicking and punting are distinctly different, but if a player decides to dedicate a good part of his life mastering kicking a piece of swine don't you think that with a little time and effort it would be something that could be reasonably accomplished? We have atheletes who can play more than one sport professionally, play both offense and defense positions, and multiple skill positions on one side of the ball....but no one can find a kicker that can both punt and kick? Seems weird to me.
USMCBillsFan Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 And if a punter get's plowed on a block then you're down both positions. A lot of punters can kick too would do so in an emergency situation.
BuffalOhio Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 I think it might have to do with 'tired leg' syndrome, too. I think if a guy did both all the time, he'd lose distance on both fronts. Just a guess.
Mike In Illinois Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 I believe Craig Hentrich kicked punts and field goals for Tennessee last season (and maybe this year, too) with Joe Nedney out.
stevewin Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 On a related note I've always wondered why out of 53 of some of the best athletes in the world you couldn't find one guy with potential and work with him to send a kickoff into the end zone. I understand that kicking extra points/FGs is a unique skill which requires a combination of accuracy and strength - seems like a kickoff would just be more brute force and you'd be able to find/train someone on a roster to could send it into the end zone. I know there is a sharp divide about maintaining a roster spot for a "kickoff specialist" - seems to me most every roster should have one already on it.
ch19079 Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 On a related note I've always wondered why out of 53 of some of the best athletes in the world you couldn't find one guy with potential and work with him to send a kickoff into the end zone. I understand that kicking extra points/FGs is a unique skill which requires a combination of accuracy and strength - seems like a kickoff would just be more brute force and you'd be able to find/train someone on a roster to could send it into the end zone. I know there is a sharp divide about maintaining a roster spot for a "kickoff specialist" - seems to me most every roster should have one already on it. 25881[/snapback] some teams have 3 "kickers" punter, FG kicker, and kickoffs. but most arnt willing to use that 3rd roster spot on a kicker. they might do it in desperation if a player is injured, or there kicker has NO leg, and is only accurate at less than 45 yards. the kickoff kicker, would also come in to try the very long FGs. it would be a good ST player and help our ST, if we could get a lot more touchbacks.
stevewin Posted September 10, 2004 Posted September 10, 2004 some teams have 3 "kickers" punter, FG kicker, and kickoffs. but most arnt willing to use that 3rd roster spot on a kicker. they might do it in desperation if a player is injured, or there kicker has NO leg, and is only accurate at less than 45 yards. the kickoff kicker, would also come in to try the very long FGs. it would be a good ST player and help our ST, if we could get a lot more touchbacks. 25896[/snapback] You missed my point - which was that instead of reserving a spot for a "kickoff specialist" who can do nothing but that - it seems to me that on a 53 man roster you could find a 'normal' position player and train him to kick it into the end zone as a secondary duty.
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