As the Packers’ 2009 training camp begins, here are the developments I want to see in the kicking game by the time the Packers break camp.
Kickoff Returns
Green Bay was last in the league last year in kickoff return yardage. Which is a bit surprising, considering Will Blackmon was so good on punt returns. Jordy Nelson had even less success in his attempts.
The new NFL rules prohibiting wedge blocking are expected to make kickoff returns more like punt returns, so maybe that will help Blackmon and Nelson.
If not, the Packers need to find someone else. One possibility is one of their undrafted free agents, Jaron Harris (Jerry Rice’s cousin), who returned kicks for four years in college. He hasn’t been looked at as a returner yet by the Packers, but that could change if the struggles continue.
Of course, he would have to be a good enough receiver to beat out Ruvell Martin and Brett Swain for that fifth receiver spot or hope the Packers, keep six receivers if they are all special teams contributors. In any case, this must be addressed.
Punting
One of 2008’s unmitigated disasters. Jon Ryan was the third ranked punter in the league in terms of average yardage when he was cut before the first game of the season in favor of Derrick Frost. Supposedly, the Packers were looking for more consistency.
Frost did so poorly, he was cut after 12 games and Jeremy Kapinos was brought in and did a decent job. At least he did what Mike McCarthy wanted. In McCarthy’s press conference explaining the move, he was quoted as such: “I want him to punt the ball in the right direction.” “I’m expected to win games. He’s expected to punt the ball in the right direction.”
Then, McCarthy added, “I’m not trying to be funny.” Allllllll-righty, then…When the Packers break camp, they have to have a punter they believe in. And if Kapinos or Durant Brooks is not that guy, they have to find someone else. Evidently, they’ve tried, as this article by Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel describes.
Field Goals
Mason Crosby was 27th in the league last year in field goal percentage (79%). His rookie season he was 24th in the league (80%). Breaking down his numbers by distance, his Achilles heel has been the 30-39yds distance.
In 2008, there were 13 kickers in the NFL that were perfect from that distance. Some had more attempts than Crosby, some less. Crosby missed three field goals from that distance. Despite this, we have no other kickers in camp. Isn’t it customary to at least have some kicking competition in camp?
Field goal kicking is something that hasn’t been talked about much, but I feel it’s an area that needs to be improved on in training camp. I feel Crosby is being given an undeserved pass and there should be another kicker in camp to push him, if nothing else.
While there are other issues to be addressed (kickoff coverage, for example), the Packers have taken steps by drafting players known for the special teams prowess and re-signing some of their own free agents that were big special teams contributors. I’ve already covered that subject here.
Check back for the next installment when I will cover the defensive side of the ball.
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You can find more of Jersey Al Bracco’s articles on several sports websites: Jersey Al’s Blog, NFL Touchdown and of course, Bleacher Report.
You can also follow Jersey Al on twitter.
10 - People Actually Wrote Something Here
Greg C. Said,
I’m right there with you on the kicking thing. Crosby was one of the worst in the league last year, and he cost us at least two games. It used to be that teams almost always brought in a second kicker for training camp, but that practice seems to be on the wane. Crosby should have to compete. Then he would have to either grow a spine or lose his job. The first high-pressure moment of a kicker’s season should not be at the end of a real game.
I think the kickoff return problems were mostly with the blocking, and if that improves, we could have some success with Blackmon. It seems like on a punt return, a really good returner can overcome poor blocking some of the time by making the first couple guys miss. But on a kick return, if the blocking is bad, the returner gets hemmed in and there’s just nowhere to run.
I don’t get how the no-wedge rule will lead to better returns. I think that’s just coachspeak from the new special teams coach. If returns were easier without a wedge, everybody would not have been using the wedge in the first place. It was never required.
Jersey Al
Twitter: JerseyAlGBP
Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:38 am
100% with you on placekickers. Having another kicker in camp breathing down your neck would be sure to motivate someone to concentrate more and work a bit harder, right? Brian C. over at Railbird pointed out that it has to do with the disbanding of NFL Europe and the smaller roster restrictions coming into camp. Teams are reluctant to use one of those spots for a second kicker. He said he’ll have an article out on that subject soon. http://community.sportsbubbler.....fault.aspx
As for kickoff returns and the wedge, it’s not that it will make returning kickoffs easier, just different. Coaches have said that the blocking schemes will probably be more like those used on punt returns, so that’s why I made that connection. But until we see what the coaches actually do, we don’t know.
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 am
Packers Daily Links 8.3.09 - Railbird Central Said,[...] goal conversion rate low, the lack of clutch game winning kicks has been equally disappointing. Jersey Al of Packers Lounge writes, "Field goal kicking is something that hasn’t been talked about much, but I feel it’s an [...]
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 8:07 am
Gary D Said,Crosby’s sure on a slope right now. When your jobs secure your less likely to put in the training to improve yourself. Sadly with all the focus on our punting situation I dont think it likely we’ll slot in another kicker.
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 8:27 am
AlexTwitter: packerslounge
Said,
I agree Gary. I think Crosby is here to stay. Missing four in practice last night doesn’t make me feel any better either.
Jersey Al
Twitter: JerseyAlGBP
Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:32 am
I’m just flabbergasted that we can know how many field goals our placekicker missed in practice and what our punters are averaging. Where will this end?
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
Asshalo Said,Did Crosby make the “sucks” list?
Jersey Al
Twitter: JerseyAlGBP
Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Yesterday he did.
Alex Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Not yet, but on the bubble.
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Offensive Needs l Packers Lounge Said,[...] Check back for the next installment when I will cover the defensive side of the ball. To read the previous installment on the kicking game, look HERE. [...]
Posted on August 7th, 2009 at 8:33 am