Not if you are suggesting that your 'gunners' on the punt coverage team who are running down the field at fulll speed are supposed to be watching a ball that is 90 feet in the air and behind them...while trying to fight off and shed the 'jammers' on the other team...while trying to track and time arriving at the returner as quickly as possible...either before the ball arrives forcing the fair catch or right after the ball dropping from the sky does so they can make the tackle as quickly as possible. I would hate to see the absolutely crushing blows these guys would eat on every punt if they were being asked to 'Keep their eyes on the damn ball'. Everyone else is required to wait until the ball is kicked so they don't usually have that problem. Some of them will certainly be able to get a glimpse of the ball and its direction/trajectory but keeping their eye on the ball isn't the main objective...they are supposed to be maintaining their lanes while fighting off blockers while converging on the returner.
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Coleman Hutzler to Texas
- Thread starter TheKOB
- Start date
I think he was kidding in the moment, lighten up Francis. The bottom line is that other teams seem to be able to get guys down there to down a ball that goes over the kicker who is standing there waving a fake fair catch, but our guys seems totally intent on playing the player waving for the fair catch and had multiple chances to down the ball deep in the other teams field only to stop at the receiver and watch the ball bounce into the end zone. It was some of the worst I have seen and it was all year long.
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Of course we can question/discuss how good or bad our special teams were...or were not...that isn't what I responded to. I responded to you saying that it was so bad you could pick some random fan before each game and expect the same results. I was sarcastically pointing out how ridiculous it was to suggest the 8-5...bowl winning...nationally ranked...Texas Longhorns would seek out and hire a coach that bad at their job...based on said claim.
I realize you didn't literally mean that...at least I hoped not...but to suggest it undermines being taken seriously or informed. I've sat next to Gamecock fans my whole life who can't believe every play isn't a touchdown or prove on a regular basis they really don't understand what is actually going on during any given play or game...I obviousy don't know you well enough to make that assumption and I mean no offense but when I read things like I responded to it makes me wonder.
I hate to counter this with the actual facts but our punter this year...Joseph Charlton...probably the best punter in SC history...All SEC and honorabe mention All-American...Ray Guy finalist...future NFL player...had 28 punts marked down inside the 20 this year with just FIVE TOUCHBACKS the entire year
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Well done. I am a big fan of Charleston and what he was able to do. It sure felt like more touchbacks than that maybe they just came at bad times during games and made my perception skewed. I would be curious to know how many were kicked out of bounds inside the 20 and how many were actually downed
I like the idea of recruiting for the system you coach...you may be more quaified than I gave you credit for!!
This reminds me of something that seems to have gone away as I've gotten older...remember when a good punter could not only pound the ball but would aim for what used to be commonly refered to as a 'Coffin Corner'? Run the ball out of bounds inside the five. I guess its so hard to do and punters have learned that its easier to check a ball up...keep it from rolling forward...like a golf shot...that it just isn't attempted all that much anymore but it used to be so common that when I was a kid there used to be a 'graphic'...I use that term loosely...on the big screen...again loosely...at Williams-Brice when it did happen...I digress
I understand your point, but my tongue in cheek point was that our special teams were nothing of the sort. Therefore, I don’t see losing Hutzler as any great loss, but I would like a coach to teach the players to preferably get a decent return, or at least fair catch, but if nothing else, get away from the ball if it’s bouncing near you.
Agree Herman behind the eight ball. What strickling strange here is Boom wins say 5 I feel that Tanner will give him another shot. 2020 will be interesting.