Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2021 14:46:17 GMT -6
Actually if you punting like that it's a bad thing. We all want perfect at every position I get that, but to use a Allen Iverson saying about practice. Punters Punters we debating about Punters we talking and worried about punters? Unless he punting behind his head and 15 yds it is not that relevant to me JMO! I don't care what Ragatz or who writes about it punters are not that important unless they can't punt down the field at a serviceable clip.
Why? It's a team sports so perhaps he just didn't play with other "superstar" teammates like MJ, Kobe & LeBron did. And/or perhaps he didn't pay attention to the "finer" details and execution of certain plays when it came down to that "crunch time" in the Playoffs when execution in the moment counts for everything. "Practice" is just "practice", but it's also a way to finely-tune your execution, as well, and those who focus not just during the game, but also in practices, have an edge over those who don't.
Football, like many sports at the top level, is a "game of inches".
From Al Pacino's character in the hit film, "Any Given Sunday" (link):
You find out life's this game of inches, so is football. Because in either game - life or football - the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half a step too late or too early and you don't quite make it. One half second too slow, too fast and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They're in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team we fight for that inch.
I think that fictional speech was taken from Hall of Fame HC Vince Lombardi (link):
“Football is a game of inches and inches make the champion”
I get it - punters don't make "splash plays"....they don't "sell jerseys"...but they do affect field position during a game and winning the field position battle is crucial when you're matched up against another strong team and could affect the outcome of a game.
Sometimes it doesn't matter - when the Vikings were getting blown out by Philly in the 2017 NFC Championship and by the 49ers in the 2019 NFC Divisional Round, field position and punting ability were the least of our concerns those days. But in a tie-game late in the 4th, would you rather start that potential game-winning drive from inside your 20, or out towards the 30-35 when you don't need many 1st downs to kick a game-winning FG?
A big-time punt in a big-time situation can mean the world of difference and it won't cost the Vikes hardly anything to bring in another P during Training Camp to ensure we're fielding the best 53-man roster we can heading into Wk 1.
Besides, the team already seems to be "going for it" in 2021 with the recent additions of Breeland and Richardson and the re-do of Hunter's deal....why not go the "full nine"?
Hell I heard Davidson can punt if it is 45 yarders have him be the punter LOL! Save a spot for a real position. That is my thoughts on punters. As long as they are decent I can live with it like I said. If a better one comes along and cheap sure do that. It is nitpicking to be bummed swapping out Von whatever his name is for Sheldon. Who obviously stinks since we already choose Colquitt over him. If the D is so good then we should be able to still keep them from scoring if they get the ball at the 18 yard line instead of the 16.
I not finna debate all day hell bent over no punter for real for real. If he starts shanking them then I will be worried until then. Have it your way like BK and worry, I am not sweating cutting this dude for Sheldon.
... and neither is this Chris guy.