Is Weatherford an Upgrade over Butler?

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Just released by Jets.

 

[PDXChris]

He was on the job for what, a week and then cut. I think he is done. He has a radio show and I think he cares more about that now.

 

[jbeecham]

I posted this in another thread, but Weatherford looked like crap in the Jets/Patriots game. His 1st punt went for maybe 35 yards & then his 2nd punt was 47 yards, but had no hang time at all & was easily returned 17-20 yards. His 3rd punt was his best punt that went about 55 yards.

Either he hasn't been practicing his craft (rusty) or he's done...

 

[NoelPHX]

The espn article I read stated that he had only punted like 3 times since he retired. And the last time was with his young kid at the park.

Article: http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/p...atherford-cut-by-jets-makes-51000-for-one-day

 

[Austin Zonie]

Wait....was Butler not the worst punter in the league?

I think I was one of many that made this claim in the game day thread!

 

[gmabel830]

There's a prospect out of Pacific that we should be scouting:

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/10/28/9626016/orca-punter-video-draft-him-49ers

 

[crisper57]

If we want to replace Butler this week, we can wait until the very last moment because this guy will be in the building on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/zasty9

Dad / Fiance / Boater / NFL Punter / Cleveland Browns Analyst

 

[speedy]

There's a prospect out of Pacific that we should be scouting:

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/10/28/9626016/orca-punter-video-draft-him-49ers

I would like to see somebody come in here and defend Butler. Maybe a post to counter everyone calling for his head.

I don't know ish about the kicking game. I know a dude who punted in the league, so I suppose I have a somewhat good understanding of what they deal with. For instance, a punter is graded out on their net punting average. So let's say a punter averages a 55-65 yard boom every time their foot contacts the ball, but they also have a ish'tty coverage team that yields 15-20 yards per return. That punter could have a net average of 35-45 yards per punt. "Hang time" (which translates to the time your coverage team can get down the field) is also graded/taken into consideration. Doesn't all seem fair.

But none of Butler's kicks seem decent/semi-pro standard. His punts are pathetic in my book (and like I said, IDK ish about kicking).

I would like to see a decent argument for keeping him around. This definitely smells of good ole boy...

 

[crisper57]

I would like to see somebody come in here and defend Butler. Maybe a post to counter everyone calling for his head.

I don't know ish about the kicking game. I know a dude who punted in the league, so I suppose I have a somewhat good understanding of what they deal with. For instance, a punter is graded out on their net punting average. So let's say a punter averages a 55-65 yard boom every time their foot contacts the ball, but they also have a ish'tty coverage team that yields 15-20 yards per return. That punter will could have a net average of 35-45 yards per punt. "Hang time" (which translates to the time your coverage team can get down the field) is also graded/taken into consideration. Doesn't all seem fair.

But none of Butler's kicks seem decent/semi-pro standard. His punts are pathetic in my book (and like I said, IDK ish about kicking).

I would like to see a decent argument for keeping him around. This definitely smells of good ole boy...

Punters are judged on hang time and whether or not they can pin opponents deep when given the opportunity. Once you cross your own 40-45 yard line, you should be able to flip the field. Butler will consistently take that opportunity to shank it for 15 yards or boom one out of the back of the end zone.

 

[Brak]

Does the tin man have a sheet metal ****?

 

[speedy]

Punters are judged on hang time and whether or not they can pin opponents deep when given the opportunity. Once you cross your own 40-45 yard line, you should be able to flip the field. Butler will consistently take that opportunity to shank it for 15 yards or boom one out of the back of the end zone.

How often do we get the ball to mid-field? Quite often. This team is a punters dream job.

Flipping the field is a big flipping deal in this league.

 

[speedy]

Does the tin man have a sheet metal ****?

That, or a hot wife, sick kid, or he deals primo ganja.

 

[Russ Smith]

In all seriousness if the Cards were trying to upgrade next year is possibly the year in the draft.

You have Aguayo the FSU kicker who is probably going to go fairly high for a kicker(too high for us, maybe 2nd round) but you also have Drew Kaser the A&M Punter who many people will be the rare punter that gets drafted.

There has to be a better punter than Butler out there but for whatever reason BA seems to be more upset with Catanzaro than Butler.

 

[Brak]

Punters & kickers who have been drafted or come out of college as "can't miss" prospects often fall flat on their faces, or turn out to be average journeymen. The list is long. Need I mention John Lee? The Niners got rid of their perennial all-pro punter, Andy Lee, to save a few pennies this year. Picked up a 7th round draft choice, and drafted a kid out of Clemson with a monster leg and eye-popping college numbers. He's been inconsistent at best so far.

 

[Russ Smith]

Punters & kickers who have been drafted or come out of college as "can't miss" prospects often fall flat on their faces, or turn out to be average journeymen. The list is long. Need I mention John Lee? The Niners got rid of their perennial all-pro punter, Andy Lee, to save a few pennies this year. Picked up a 7th round draft choice, and drafted a kid out of Clemson with a monster leg and eye-popping college numbers. He's been inconsistent at best so far.

Pinion has been ok the 49ers coverage is not that good they've been harping on it in the Bay Area all season so far. Pinion looks like a good punter although I agree he's not set the league on fire yet.

Kaser is this years highest rated punter, doesn't mean he'll get picked but if anybody is going to, it'll be him.

I'm not advocating taking a kicker, we took Cat not that long ago, but Aguayo is pretty special he could have gone pro this year as a RS soph but chose not to. He's going to get picked fairly high for a K they were apparently told he might go 2nd round last year but he chose to come back for one more year.

I agree the Cards history of drafting K's and Punters is not good.

Where's Jim Bakken when you need him?

 

[Cardiac]

I would like to see somebody come in here and defend Butler. Maybe a post to counter everyone calling for his head.

Since you asked and I'm bored and a masochist here you go:
Butheads tied for 15th in the league in punts downed inside the 20.

He is no longer last in net avg. he's 31st.

Only 1 punt out of bounds, not sure if that's good or not.

He's had the fewest returns (7) so those short punts are at least getting enough hang time.

Only Tampa and NE have punted fewer times, maybe he isn't getting enough real game snaps.

I don't know ish about the kicking game. I know a dude who punted in the league, so I suppose I have a somewhat good understanding of what they deal with. For instance, a punter is graded out on their net punting average. So let's say a punter averages a 55-65 yard boom every time their foot contacts the ball, but they also have a ish'tty coverage team that yields 15-20 yards per return. That punter could have a net average of 35-45 yards per punt. "Hang time" (which translates to the time your coverage team can get down the field) is also graded/taken into consideration. Doesn't all seem fair.

But none of Butler's kicks seem decent/semi-pro standard. His punts are pathetic in my book (and like I said, IDK ish about kicking).

I would like to see a decent argument for keeping him around. This definitely smells of good ole boy...

I can't find hang time stats or punts downed inside the ten yd line.

A punter should be graded on hang time and net avg., if his coverage teams are crappy then he needs to get off shorter punts with more hang time so they don't get returned.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's hard for me to believe there isn't a better punter out there available for the Cardinals with only 32 NFL teams and all the college football teams putting out punters every season.

 

[NJCardFan]

Wait....was Butler not the worst punter in the league?

I think I was one of many that made this claim in the game day thread!

We are last in the league in punting: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/stats/byteam?group=Special&cat=Punting

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I think most of us assumed Zasty would come back and re-take his starting job. Clearly didn't happen.

Butler was terrible last year, and especially awful in the playoff game. His performance this year confirms that he's not a good punter, and shouldn't be a starter in the NFL.

The guy punts in a perfect controlled environment and high altitude, and still puts up numbers that are some of the worst in the entire league. How he continues to get a free pass is beyond me.

 

[daves]

The guy punts in a perfect controlled environment and high altitude, and still puts up numbers that are some of the worst in the entire league. How he continues to get a free pass is beyond me.

Well, you just prompted me to search for and find this list of NFL stadia in order of altitude:
http://www.answers.com/Q/All_NFL_stadiums_in_order_of_elevation

Interesting! I would not have guessed that U of P stadium is the second highest stadium in the league.

But, i still wouldn't consider 1070 feet to be "high altitude", and certainly don't think anyone's punts benefit in any significant way from it! (Well, certainly not Butler's!)

...dave

 

[NJCardFan]

Punters & kickers who have been drafted or come out of college as "can't miss" prospects often fall flat on their faces, or turn out to be average journeymen. The list is long. Need I mention John Lee? The Niners got rid of their perennial all-pro punter, Andy Lee, to save a few pennies this year. Picked up a 7th round draft choice, and drafted a kid out of Clemson with a monster leg and eye-popping college numbers. He's been inconsistent at best so far.

John Lee. *sigh* This was the folly of college kicking off a tee in those days. As for drafting kickers/punters, the Raiders seem to find gems and draft them in the 1st round. They drafted both Ray Guy and Sebastian Janikowski in the first round and both are gems to say the least. But they are the exception. But truth be told, as bad as Butler is, he is not the cause of any issues this team might be having. The block the other night was a team effort breakdown and even though he's not punting for 50+ yards regularly, he's only had a few clunkers. In short, he hasn't killed us. Oh, and for us drafting kickers high, you failed to mention the late Steve Little, 1st round draft pick 1978. Oy.

 

[crisper57]

Doug and Wolf just interviewed Zastudil, who is now a Browns analyst.

Doug: What are you doing on Sunday?

Zasty: Doing a show until 12 and trying to get on the field before the game to see everyone.

Doug: So you can be warmed up by 1 if you got the call?

Zasty (Ha ha) The problem is that Andy Lee is having a great year, so I think all I will be able to do is watch.

Doug: I wasn't talking about Andy Lee.

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

Does anyone know if BA has any ties to Butlers dad?

For an above average coaching staff and FO, this kid being here, and not even having to sweat a report of us sniffing for a replacement, I dunno...it just reeks of nepotism.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Where's Jim Bakken when you need him?

He lives here in WI and is in real estate my wife does some occasional business with him.

 

[frankeegee1]

Just saw the Dolphins rookie punter punt a 70 yarder from his end zone.

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