Special Teams Question

[kerouac9]

Is Scott Player still our holder on field goals and extra points? I didn't even think to look during the pre-season game. If so, is there any reason for it? Couldn't we find someone who might give oppo spec. teams the impression that we might not kick the ball?

Thanks.

 

[TJAM]

Yes - Scott Player is still the Holder. Not sure why you would want to break-up a "battery" kind of like pitcher and catcher. The Cardinals had a couple of fake field goal plays they worked on................but as Vince L. might say - take the points.

 

[Pariah]

I've always said that the holder should be your most dangerous runner/passer combo (i.e., a guy like Boldin that can break tackles and pas the ball, or a run-oriented QB). I've never understood why you'd have the punter as the holder.

 

[schel]

I've always said that the holder should be your most dangerous runner/passer combo (i.e., a guy like Boldin that can break tackles and pas the ball, or a run-oriented QB). I've never understood why you'd have the punter as the holder.

Holding isn't an easy skill. A lot of kickers are very picky about their holders and can't kick effectively otherwise. I'm sure that's the reason. Maybe a fear of bobbled snaps as well.

 

[kerouac9]

Holding isn't an easy skill. A lot of kickers are very picky about their holders and can't kick effectively otherwise. I'm sure that's the reason. Maybe a fear of bobbled snaps as well.

Neil Rackers was a Cardinal for 7 games last season. I'm sure that there's plenty of time for a new guy to get adjusted, and Rackers and Player aren't a tag team of success (9 of 12).

All that I know is that usually a holder just needs to be able to handle the ball precisely. That's why RBs don't generally do it.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It seems like this team screws up half the time just getting the ball snapped. God knows what they would do if they tried a fake field goal, but my guess is that it would somehow result in a touchdown for the other team.

 

[SECTION 11]

Remember the toss over the shoulder fake FG Philly pulled against us? That was a thing of beauty.
It was also "game over" at that point.

 

[Mulli]

Did you guys see what happened to the kicker in Ace Ventura when the holder did not get the laces out? We don't want that to happen. I am starting to have flashback-type visions of Mac explaining his idiotic reason for Player being the holder. I don't think Mac ever actually said such things but the visions are stil painful.

 

[Tangodnzr]

I think its also a matter of practice.

Even though punters and place kickers are two entirely different skills, there still is a common "mentality" to a certain degree. But more importantly, especially place kicking is classic.....practice, practice, ...practice.]]

The punter has the time to do that. Other players don't have the time, as they are busy practicing their "normal" skills.

I held snaps for kickers, and one of the things most seem to agree on, is that regardless of who it is holding the ball, they are "used" to each other, through the practice.

 

[schel]

Neil Rackers was a Cardinal for 7 games last season. I'm sure that there's plenty of time for a new guy to get adjusted, and Rackers and Player aren't a tag team of success (9 of 12).

All that I know is that usually a holder just needs to be able to handle the ball precisely. That's why RBs don't generally do it.

I was just talking in general. I guess Player isn't considered a great holder?

 

[Pariah]

Holding isn't an easy skill. A lot of kickers are very picky about their holders and can't kick effectively otherwise. I'm sure that's the reason. Maybe a fear of bobbled snaps as well.

So punters across the league have a some sort of ability that, say, guys like Boldin or Mike Vick don't have? BS. They could learn to hold effective just as well as Player.

...but, maybe it's because so many holders are injured on these plays...

There's no excuse in the world that could convince me every team in the league shouldn't have a weapon holding for extra points and FGs.

 

[SECTION 11]

Isn't it quite often the backup QB?

 

[schel]

So punters across the league have a some sort of ability that, say, guys like Boldin or Mike Vick don't have? BS. They could learn to hold effective just as well as Player.

...but, maybe it's because so many holders are injured on these plays...

There's no excuse in the world that could convince me every team in the league shouldn't have a weapon holding for extra points and FGs.

I know it's hard skill to master, but I'm not sure how hard it's considered for an average NFL player. Like long snapping... it's an extremely difficult skill, you can't just get any lineman to do it. Isn't it the only reason we still have Hodel? I know the Patriots kept Walter (their punter) on the team just because of his holding skills. Walter is the guy who punts it 18 yards in a dome...

 

[schel]

Isn't it quite often the backup QB?

Sometimes, yes.

 

[Mulli]

That play was impressive, but it made me want to barf watching it.