- Nissin Cup Nudist
- Sep 3, 2011
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Sleep with one eye open
We're off to Gritty Gritty land
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Time for the best position in the game we all care about, KICKERS
https://theathletic.com/1743860/2020/04/23/mcginns-nfl-draft-series-scouts-on-top-specialists/
quote:Specialists are the one positional area in which scouts almost always defer to coaches when it comes to ranking and drafting players.
With kickers, punters and long snappers, the majority of teams don’t ask much of their scouts. Their job is basically to collect the names and turn them over to the special teams coordinator and his staff for their expert analysis. This spring, those special teams coaches felt hamstrung because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of it, fewer specialists are expected to be drafted, and those who are probably won’t go as high as in a normal year.
Prep work for special teams coaches really begins with the NFL combine in late February and a seat in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This year, there were seven punters, three kickers and two long snappers. Pro days are next, but at the larger schools, those are hardly intimate affairs.
The most vital parts of the evaluation process for special teams are the individual workouts and visits that take place in March and April. If a team needed a specialist, a coordinator might make half a dozen trips getting to know the leading prospects. Perhaps 20 percent of pro days were held before the NFL’s decision forbidding personnel from attending them shut down the process. More importantly, those face-to-face interactions between coach and player were eliminated.
On Saturday, the third day of the draft, when teams start considering specialists, a new dynamic will take place. When general managers and head coaches look to their coordinators for their final call on a kicker, punter or long snapper, there will be a lot less conviction and a lot more indecision. “It will be very difficult for some teams to pull the trigger because you don’t feel comfortable doing it because you didn’t get a chance to work them out,” one NFL coordinator said. “You haven’t been able to lay your hands on them.”
As a result, another coordinator predicted the uncertainty would push specialists back at least a round or into the post-draft scramble for free agents.
“It’s all about an individual workout,” he said. “If I had taken him out to lunch and had a workout, I’d have a better feeling about taking a guy in the fifth round. Today, I wouldn’t do that. Today, I’d take him in the seventh round.
“There’s probably three punters that have a chance to be drafted. I wouldn’t stand on the table and draft any of them without a private workout. It’d be a hard position now if they asked the special teams coach, ‘Do you want this guy?’ ‘Well, I don’t know for sure.’
Most teams wouldn’t spend one of their 45 formal interviews at the combine on a specialist. As a result, seven or eight coaches from various teams will sit at tables in a large meeting room at the combine while the specialists make the rounds.
“We’re not guarded at all,” said one coordinator. “We’re happily sharing information. It’s an easy way to get it all in a short period of time.”
In the last four drafts, nine punters and eight kickers were selected. Just in the last two years, five punters and three kickers went the fourth and fifth rounds. Not that many years ago, long snappers weren’t being drafted; one has been selected in each of the last five drafts.
With or without the virus, the prospects aren’t appealing. “Overall, it’s a pretty weak year for special teams,” said one coordinator.
Five to 10 years ago, many special teams coaches insisted punters were harder to find than kickers. Few colleges were utilizing NFL-type punt schemes, and the speed of the NFL game forced punters to speed up their delivery times. Today, that has changed. Kicking accuracy in the NFL has decreased just as net averages by punters have increased.
“It’s really flipped,” said one coordinator. “You can find guys you can live with as a punter. Really, with the new rules, some of a punter’s worth to a team has gone down because we’re playing with a shorter field. The ball starts at the 25, you get a couple first downs and now you’re kicking out of plus-50. You don’t have to flip ends of the field quite as much as you used to.”
Punters still must punt a ball that’s moving whereas kickers are booting a ball that’s stationary.
“There’s more moving parts,” the coordinator said. “But you can go to these kicking camps and find a bunch of guys who are kicking them off of sticks without a snap and nobody holding and they’re making them.
“Now, you bring them into a team setting with 11-on-11 and whoa, it’s way different. These games are so close, there’s a lot of pressure on these kickers. You better have a good one or you’re struggling.”
COVID-19 has put the heat on evaluators for teams that that have dire needs in the kicking game.
“He was the best guy at the combine,” a scout says of Georgia Southern kicker Tyler Bass. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kickers
1. Tyler Bass, Georgia Southern (5-foot-10 1/2, 185, no 40, round 6-7): He redshirted in 2015 before starting four years. “He was the best guy at the combine,” one NFL special teams coordinator said. “He’s got an NFL leg. He seems like one of those kids that will be able to handle the pressure.” He made 54 of 68 field goals (79.4 percent) and 114 of 116 extra points. He excelled at the Senior Bowl, connecting from 50 and 41 yards. “He’s talented enough to get drafted, for sure,” said another coordinator. “Got a big, strong leg. He’s just a little inaccurate.” He kicked off effectively. “He’s not a good directional guy, but he doesn’t need to be because he can hit ‘em down the middle long if they want ‘em out,” said one coach. Bass is from Irmo, S.C.
2. Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia (6-foot-1, 190, no 40, round 7-FA): Blankenship is a four-year starter who arrived as a walk-on. “He’s kind of become a cult hero at Georgia, but I don’t think he has quite the leg that the Bass kid has,” said one coach. “He’s one of those guys, once it gets to be November and December and you’re playing in Green Bay, and you say, ‘Let’s kick it out,’ I don’t know if he can do that. He didn’t have a great day kicking off at the combine. … He’s missed a couple big kicks in his career, which is always a concern.” He made 80 of 97 field goals (82.5 percent) and all 200 extra points. “He fits the mold of the quirky kicker,” said another coach. “Kind of a nutty professor. Just a different guy.” From Marietta, Ga.
3. J.J. Molson, UCLA (5-foot-11, 182, no 40, FA): He’s a four-year starter. “I don’t think he’s good enough,” said one coach. “His great grandfather started Molson brewing. He’s got a lot of money. Maybe that’s a good thing, I don’t know. ‘What the heck, I’m still a multimillionaire whether I miss this kick or not.’” He made 51 of 74 field goals (68.9 percent) and 151 of 152 extra points. From Montreal.
Others: Matt Ammendola, Oklahoma State; Cooper Rothe, Wyoming; Dominik Eberle, Utah State; Samuel Sloman, Miami (Ohio).
“He can really hang it up in the air,” a coach said of Tommy Townsend. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Punters
1. Tommy Townsend, Florida (6-foot-1 1/2, 191, 4.73, rounds 6-7): His brother, Johnny, was the Raiders’ fifth-round draft choice in 2018 out of Florida. He ranked 29th with a 38.3-yard net punt average as a rookie and has been out of work since late August. “It’s unfair, but it’s got to be in the back of (Tommy’s) mind,” said one coach. “It’s like, ‘He got drafted and didn’t do well. What’s this guy going to do different?’ This one is not quite as good of a directional punter, but he’s got a better leg. Had a nice combine. Seemed like a pretty good kid in the interview.” He redshirted at Tennessee in 2015. He spent four seasons with the Gators, starting in 2018 and 2019 and averaging 44.8 yards in 93 punts. “He can really hang it up in the air,” another coach said. “That’s the one thing that sticks out. He gets great hang time.” Townsend is from Orlando.
2. Braden Mann, Texas A&M (5-foot-11 1/2, 198, 4.8, rounds 6-7): He broke some records in 2018 with a 51-yard average before averaging 47.1 yards in ’19. “He got a lot of accolades in college, but I was just disappointed (with) his consistency,” said one coach. “He had some big punts and then he’d have a couple really poor punts.” He’s a hard worker and team leader. “When he came to the combine somebody had coached him up,” said the coach. “He was a jab step and two-step punter. He got rid of his jab step and tried to kick with two steps. His timing was off, and he didn’t do great at the combine. That was a little disconcerting. But he’s got a big leg, he’s kicked in big games and done pretty well. He’s just inconsistent.” Mann is from Cypress, Texas and scored a 34 on the Wonderlic intelligence test.
3. Michael Turk, Arizona State (6 feet 1/2, 226, 4.77, FA): One of Turk’s uncles, Matt, made the Pro Bowl three times in a 17-year punting career with six teams. Another uncle, Dan, was a long snapper for 15 seasons. “Matt actually coaches him,” one coach said. “He declared (two years) early. He did well (at Louisiana Lafayette) and then immediately transferred to ASU because he wanted to get noticed. I’m sure some of that was Matt’s idea. You see some of his punts, you say he should go in the fourth round. Then you see some others and say, ‘I don’t want that guy in camp.’ He bench-pressed 25 times. He is a rocked-up kid. His ceiling is so high, but his floor is really low.” He spent 2017 at Lafayette, averaging a school-record 42.7 yards per punt. After redshirting in 2018 at ASU, he averaged 46 yards per punt in ’19. “He has a strong leg, but he’s terrible directionally,” another coach said. “He’s terrible technically. But when he hits it he hits it a ton.” From Dallas.
Others: Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse; Arryn Siposs, Auburn; Joseph Charlton, South Carolina; Dom Maggio, Wake Forest; Alex Pechin, Bucknell; Cody Grace, Arkansas State.
Long snappers
1. Steven Wirtel, Iowa State (6-foot-3 1/2, 235, 4.79, round 7-FA): He snapped at the Senior Bowl and the combine. “He’s the pick of the litter,” said one coach. “My only issue is he’s left-handed. Not that that’s a big deal, but I can’t think of any in the NFL. Only difference is the ball’s just rotating the other way. It takes some getting used to. It (looked) like it was a bit of an issue for some guys holding at the combine. He’s the top guy, but I don’t think you need to draft him.” A four-year regular who was described by one scout as a “true football player.” Said another coach: “Looks like a pro snapper. Much better athlete than (Blake) Ferguson. Needs a little work on his short snap. We can get that fixed.” From Mount Carmel, Ill.
2. Blake Ferguson, LSU (6-foot-2 1/2, 229, 5.07, FA): His brother, Reid, also played at LSU and has been the Bills’ long snapper since 2017. “He’s really a good short snapper,” one coach said. “Really accurate long snapper. But his body’s a little weak for holding the point and being stout enough. He needs work protection-wise. He’s going to be a lot like his brother. He bounced around before he got a job.” He performed at the Senior Bowl and the combine. “He’s barely 230 and runs over 5.0,” said another coach. “He is definitely not draftable.” He underwent lumbar disc surgery in 2015 and ’17 but didn’t miss any games. From Buford, Ga.
3. Ross Matiscik, Baylor (5-foot-11 1/2, 237, no 40, FA): He assumed the Bears’ long-snapping duties after Jimmy Landes was drafted in the sixth round by the Lions in 2016. He played some as a backup linebacker in 2019 when injuries struck. “Looks very athletic on tape,” said one coach. “He snaps it really well but he’s never had to block. I’m just guessing he can get that done. He can run. He should be in a camp.” Matiscik is from McKinney, Texas.
Others: Keegan Firth, Oregon State; Mitch Harris, Brigham Young; Dayton Diemel, Wake Forest.
“Big, strong. He’s a pro returner,” a scout said about TCU’s Jalen Reagor. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Kickoff returners
1. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU (5-foot-10 1/2, 206, 4.46): He broke the Horned Frogs’ school record for punt-return average in 2019 that had held for 50 years. Averaged 20.8 yards per return as a senior and 17.8 yards on 23 career returns. “Runs through some arm tackles,” one special teams coordinator said. “Big, strong. He’s a pro returner.” A third-year junior, he took back 13 kickoffs for 24.2 yards per return. Reagor is from Waxahachie, Texas.
2. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State (5-foot-11 1/2, 205, 4.53): He’s a junior college transfer. “Probably the best of the combo returners,” one special teams coordinator said. “He’s pretty special. He’s big. He’s physical. Runs really physical and strong.” In two seasons, he returned 28 kickoffs for a 27.1-yard average and 25 punts for an 11.7-yard average. His statistics dramatically improved in each return area as a senior. “He’s got game-changing ability,” said one scout. “It really gives him a lot of value at wideout. He’s dynamic.” From Reno, Nev.
3. Isaiah Wright, WR, Temple (6-foot-1, 214, no 40): He’s a four-year kickoff returner and three-year punt returner. “He reminds you some of Cordarrelle Patterson,” one coordinator said. “Not quite as fast, but he’s got good size. He runs strong.” He averaged 24.2 yards in 84 kickoff returns with two touchdowns and 10.3 yards in 43 punt returns with three touchdowns. Wright is from West Hartford, Conn.
4. Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky (5-foot-10 1/2, 204, no 40): He joined Randall Cobb as the only Wildcats players with 1,000 career receiving, rushing and kickoff return yards. “This guy’s the best pound-for-pound football player I scouted this year,” one scout said. “Now, he’s not the biggest, he’s not the fastest, etc. Really, really good vision with the ball in his hands. I see him as a 4.52 guy. He’s got edge, man. You’re coming to the fight with him, and he’s going to be in the fight. He’s not going to be in the back.” A backup wide receiver in 2017 who started in ’18 and ’19. He moved to quarterback after five games this season and, mainly as a runner who refused to take no for an answer, delivered a 6-2 record. “I’ve never seen a quarterback return punts and kickoffs before,” said another scout. “They weren’t doing anything early and they put (Bowden) back there. It’s not like he was playing in the NAIA or something like that. He’s playing in the top conference in the nation and averaging 8 yards a carry with two punt returns for touchdowns.” He returned 71 kickoffs for a 22.9-yard average and nine punts for 22.1 yards. He’s a third-year junior from Youngstown, Ohio.
5. Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn (5-foot-10 1/2, 197, 4.51): He returned just 20 kickoffs in the last two seasons but had a long touchdown return each year. “He’s got a burst,” said one coach. “He’s got long speed. I see the toughness. If they want to use him, he’s a starting kickoff returner.” He didn’t return punts. Igbinoghene is from Trussville, Ala.
6. K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State (5-foot-8 1/2, 178, no 40): He handled all the return duties for two seasons. “He’s one of those kids you go, ‘OK, pro punt returner,’” said one coach. “He’s small but he’s got a burst and change of direction.” He averaged 23.5 yards in 44 kickoff returns and merely 6 yards in 37 punt returns. “This is a little, little dude,” said one scout. “But he can do one thing: He can accelerate. Is he D’Anthony Thomas? Better kick returner than punt returner. Lot of dropped passes.” He’s from Pontiac, Mich.
7. Joe Reed, WR, Virginia (6 feet 1/2, 224, 4.51): A four-year returner who took back 106 for kickoffs, averaging 28.7 yards with five touchdowns. “Super productive,” said one coach. “He’s got ideal size. He runs more like a running back than a receiver. He’s a little bit straight line. He has good speed, not elite. He’s a lot like Aiyuk. This guy runs extremely hard and breaks a ton of tackles. Very courageous. Just slams it up in there.” He never returned a punt and is from Charlotte Court House, Va.
8. Tyler Huntley, RB, New Mexico State (5-foot-8, 190, 4.40): He only returned kickoffs, averaging 29.6 yards per return in 2017 and 27.2 yards in ’18, scoring five touchdowns. His average dipped to 20.1 yards in ’19. “Teams kicked away from him in 2019,” one scout said. “Explosive runner, receiver and kickoff returner. Excellent speed, quickness, elusiveness. Runs with good pad level. Strong for his size. Reminds me of Napoleon Kaufman.” He made great use of pro day with a swift 40-yard dash to go with 21 reps on the bench press, a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10 feet, 11 inches. He’s an old-fashioned sleeper and is from Arlington, Texas.
9. Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State (5-foot-10, 203, 4.47): He never returned a punt but returned 56 kickoffs for a 25.7-yard average and three touchdowns. “Not the biggest guy but very good,” said one coach. “In 2018, he averaged 32.6, which is pretty fantastic. He’s not the most physical guy.” He’s from Oak Hill, Fla.
10. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan (6-foot-1 1/2, 212, 4.49): A highly touted recruit from Detroit Cass Tech never lived up to his billing. “Vastly overrated,” one scout said. “Part of that is unfair because there was so much hype about the guy coming out. He’s athletic but he is not fast. He has no burst or explosion. He’s tougher than I thought he was going to be. He’s been a punt returner, but he’s average at it.” He never returned a kickoff but handled punts all three seasons, returning 89 for an 8.3-yard average and two touchdowns. “I kind of liked him right below the top guys,” said one coach. “His best year was 2018. He had a couple longer returns this year that he fumbled on. He let too many balls hit the ground on plays where he should be more aggressive and come up and make the catch, even if it’s just a fair catch. Probably lets over half the punts hit the ground. The guy has unbelievable testing numbers, but he only ran 4.50. He may be physically suited better to be a kickoff returner.” He scored a 28 on the Wonderlic.
Others: Ashtyn Davis, California; Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina; Antonio Gibson, RB, Memphis; Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana; Chris Claybrooks, CB, Memphis; Kyler Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne; Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado; Grayland Arnold, CB, Baylor; Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas; Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech; Aaron Fuller, WR, Washington; KJ Osborn, WR, Miami.
The skinny
Unsung hero
Sterling Hofrichter, P, Syracuse: He redshirted in 2015 behind Riley Dixon, who was drafted in the seventh round in 2016. A four-year starter with a 43.2-yard average, he also kicked off in 2018 and 2019, posting a touchback mark of 60.5 percent. “There aren’t many 5-9 1/2 punters, but he’s solid,” said one coach. “He’s really good directionally. That’s what he does best.”
Scouts’ nightmare
Joseph Charlton, P. South Carolina: A three-year regular. At 6-foot-4 1/2 and 195 pounds, he has the desired size and a big leg, averaging 45.5 yards in 171 punts. His hands are the problem. He didn’t catch it well at the Senior Bowl or combine and holding is half the job description for the vast majority of punters. “He has terrible hands,” said one coach.
Scout to remember
Frank Smouse: He spent almost five decades as a trusted adviser to the Brown family in Cincinnati. He started part time with the Bengals during his years as a coach at Kent State. He coached linebackers during the Bengals’ first season in 1968. He was urbane, witty and approachable. “Evaluate the evaluator” was one of his many pet expressions. He died in 2019 at 95.
Quote to note
NFC personnel man: “Years and years ago, if a guy was a real good kickoff or punt returner, we moved him up a round. In this day and age, with directional kicking and rugby kicking and Aussie kicking, they’re taking the returners out of the game. I don’t think the value is there like it once was.”
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Apr 23, 2020 17:47
