Cards working out Kickers and Punters

[Russ Smith]

I dont get it, his KO avg is right near the top @ 66 yds per (vs 66.9 #1), but he's still 20th in touchbacks @ 54%.
http://www.footballdb.com/stats/stats.html?mode=O&sort=koavg
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/kickoff-touchback-pct

It could be coverage or it could be he doesn't get as much height on his KO"s so the distance is similar but less hangtime leads to longer returns.

 

[daves]

Including preseason I think he's missed 5 XPs this year

Actually he was 7/9 in preseason and 30/32 in the regular season so far. Still, !

...dbs

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I'm not worried about Cat at all. He's still young. I remember Gostowksi and Crosby going through struggles early in their career too. And, even though I think Cat has been fine, I wouldn't change unless there's a clear, proven upgrade out there and I seriously doubt there is because that person would be on a NFL roster right now.

Also, as for KO's maybe the Cards want the other team returning kicks 5-7 yards deep because they trust their coverage to pin them inside the 20 rather than just giving it to them at the 20. Plus, if a team returns it, it brings penalties and fumbles into play, but also the rare long TD return.

I'd like to know the opponents average starting position on kickoffs to see if there is a real issue or just people nit-picking.

edit: team's average 24.7 yards/return with a long of 41 and 0 TD's. Like I thought, really a non-issue.

 

[eastcoastSUN]

Just say no to Bullock... Is it just me or does the guy look perpetually out of shape, or the son of an oil mogul, or both? He's been known to choke in clutch situations for the Texans, that's why they cut him earlier last year.

I'm 110% down for a Butler replacement during the bye week. We should give Cat at least until the end of the year to get his mind (and foot) right. Don't forget, the guy kept us in the STL game going 5/5.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Just say no to Bullock... Is it just me or does the guy look perpetually out of shape, or the son of an oil mogul, or both? He's been known to choke in clutch situations for the Texans, that's why they cut him earlier last year.

I'm 110% down for a Butler replacement during the bye week. We should give Cat at least until the end of the year to get his mind (and foot) right. Don't forget, the guy kept us in the STL game going 5/5.

This... I think they are looking to replace Butler and the place kickers where brought in to remind Cat to stay focused on his job and also for a possible later time in the season if he continues to struggle, then the team will already have done their homework

 

[Shane]

I'm not worried about Cat at all. He's still young. I remember Gostowksi and Crosby going through struggles early in their career too. And, even though I think Cat has been fine, I wouldn't change unless there's a clear, proven upgrade out there and I seriously doubt there is because that person would be on a NFL roster right now.

Also, as for KO's maybe the Cards want the other team returning kicks 5-7 yards deep because they trust their coverage to pin them inside the 20 rather than just giving it to them at the 20. Plus, if a team returns it, it brings penalties and fumbles into play, but also the rare long TD return.

I'd like to know the opponents average starting position on kickoffs to see if there is a real issue or just people nit-picking.

edit: team's average 24.7 yards/return with a long of 41 and 0 TD's. Like I thought, really a non-issue.

Almost 5 yards is an issue... And no way to sugar coat otherwise... His kick offs are shorter then last year??? Why?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Almost 5 yards is an issue... And no way to sugar coat otherwise... His kick offs are shorter then last year??? Why?

He averages 66 yards/kickoff, the return average is 24.7. That means on average the teams are starting inside the 20 when there's no touchback. Why is that an issue? Like I said, it may be by design.

 

[wa52lz]

Almost 5 yards is an issue... And no way to sugar coat otherwise... His kick offs are shorter then last year??? Why?

Kickoff avg was .5yds longer last year and his touchback % has actually increased this year to 55% (28/51) from 50% (38/76) last year
http://www.footballdb.com/stats/stats.html?lg=NFL&yr=2014&type=reg&mode=O&conf=&limit=25&sort=koavg

Also return yds by the opponent is slight down from last year as well 26.14 to 24.73.

He basically the same kicker he was last year KO wise

 

[ARZCardinals]

I think it's more of a wake up call for them...
I don't see Cat being replaced.
Butler is okay...but he's so slow to kick it...it concerns me.

 

[Austin Zonie]

Any update on a possible replacement for Butler?

 

[gamebird98]

Almost 5 yards is an issue... And no way to sugar coat otherwise... His kick offs are shorter then last year??? Why?

He is using Brady's footballs from last year.

 

[Beaver]

Bullock signed with NYJ. I take it none of the punter try outs impressed?

 

[nashman]

Not sure why we can't locate a punter in the late rounds than can actually kick the ball. Watching ASU game and their punter just kicked a 76 punt in the air! Gotta imagine their are some strong legs out there we just ignore our STs, hopefully this unit is held up to some scrutiny this offseason! And hopefully they don't cost us anymore games.

 

[jbeecham]

ASU's punter & kicker are very good. I wouldn't mind us bringing both of them in for competition (as UDFAs) when they graduate/declare for the draft.

The kicker (Zane Gonzales) just set an NCAA record for most FGs made in a career & hit one from 59 yds last night. His kicks aren't pretty, but he does have a leg. He's hit 95% of his FGs this year (19/20), but his last 3 years weren't as good at 76.5%, 81.5% & 83.3%. Catanzaro's college %s were better his junior & senior year... hitting 94.7% (18/19) & 92.9% (13/14) but they were pretty much all under 50 yds.

The punter (Matt Haack) is averaging about 47 yds/punt this season & like Nashman said, he boomed a 76 yd punt (66 yds in the air) last night.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Why would you bump this and get my hopes up