Zastudil

[Cbus cardsfan]

Why does everyone seem to rip on Zastudil? I have even done so myself but after looking at the numbers, I've changed my mind. Sure, he's not the best punter in the league but he's pretty much the average. Other than the top 2 guys (Lee, Morestead) his net is pretty close to norm. He averaged 45 yards and 38 net. I've heard people clamor for Donnie Jones and he was worse than Zastudil in about every category. After the top 4 to 5 guys, Lee, Lechler, Scifres, Morstead, there really isn't that great a difference. If you have a guy like DZ that comes in, does his job, and can be kept on the cheap end, then why worry about the punting game and over spending on a guy who may give you an extra half yard?

 

[Duckjake]

Why does everyone seem to rip on Zastudil? I have even done so myself but after looking at the numbers, I've changed my mind. Sure, he's not the best punter in the league but he's pretty much the average. Other than the top 2 guys (Lee, Morestead) his net is pretty close to norm. He averaged 45 yards and 38 net. I've heard people clamor for Donnie Jones and he was worse than Zastudil in about every category. After the top 4 to 5 guys, Lee, Lechler, Scifres, Morstead, there really isn't that great a difference. If you have a guy like DZ that comes in, does his job, and can be kept on the cheap end, then why worry about the punting game and over spending on a guy who may give you an extra half yard?

I don't know if it was Zastudil's fault or not but our punt coverage just did not look as good last season as it had been the 2-3 years prior to 2011. Looks like we drafted a couple of guys to help improve the coverage.

 

[kerouac9]

Don't know what numbers you're looking at, but especially late in the season Zastudil was one of the worst punters in the NFL. According to FootballOutsiders' advanced metrics, the Cards' punt game was below average.

I don't really care about Dizasterdil getting fired, but I think he deserves to get some camp competition. We could do better, and couldn't do much work than Ravi Shankar back there.

 

[Duckjake]

Don't know what numbers you're looking at, but especially late in the season Zastudil was one of the worst punters in the NFL. According to FootballOutsiders' advanced metrics, the Cards' punt game was below average.

I don't really care about Dizasterdil getting fired, but I think he deserves to get some camp competition. We could do better, and couldn't do much work than Ravi Shankar back there.

I don't look at the numbers much instead trusting what I see on the field. Again it looked to me like our punts and coverage of same weren't as good as in years past.

Punter has to be important for the Cards as the last 3 seasons they've been 9th, 4th and 5th in total number of punts for the season.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Our punting game as a whole has been terrible for years now. This may not be a popular opinion, but IMO zastudil was a slight upgrade from Graham. Graham was awful if punts required aby hang time.

 

[D-Dogg]

IIRC, he punted low, and tended to save his worst punts for the most important times.

That's gonna piss off a home stadium.

 

[Stout]

IIRC, he punted low, and tended to save his worst punts for the most important times.

That's gonna piss off a home stadium.

Exactly.

 

[Duckjake]

Our punting game as a whole has been terrible for years now. This may not be a popular opinion, but IMO zastudil was a slight upgrade from Graham. Graham was awful if punts required aby hang time.

Didn't Graham get his props from many of his punts being downed inside the 20 rather than for his hang time?

I know the net average for the Cards in punting was about the same for 2010 and 2011.

Just seemed to me like we gave up more big returns last season than in prior years.

Note: Is it just me or does it seem like every time the Cards down a punt inside the opponents 5 yard line the other teams goes on a 95+ yard scoring drive. I actually will find myself yelling at the TV "let it go into the endzone!"

 

[kerouac9]

Our punting game as a whole has been terrible for years now. This may not be a popular opinion, but IMO zastudil was a slight upgrade from Graham. Graham was awful if punts required aby hang time.

For what we are doing the last two years--going three and out and kicking from our own 13, I think you're right. Graham would be a great punter for a team like the Saints--indoors and always kicking from inside the opposition's 50. For an anemic offense, he was WAY less effective.

But "better than Graham" isn't a high bar to clear. Duck's right that Graham was terribly un-clutch as a punter can realistically be. I was never terrified that we were going to have a punt returned against us, but I was frequently afraid that Dave was going to punt it 25 yards and out of bounds.

 

[Krangodnzr]

For what we are doing the last two years--going three and out and kicking from our own 13, I think you're right. Graham would be a great punter for a team like the Saints--indoors and always kicking from inside the opposition's 50. For an anemic offense, he was WAY less effective.

But "better than Graham" isn't a high bar to clear. Duck's right that Graham was terribly un-clutch as a punter can realistically be. I was never terrified that we were going to have a punt returned against us, but I was frequently afraid that Dave was going to punt it 25 yards and out of bounds.

Exactly. Graham was great at pinning, but horrible at everything else. IMO Zastudil is better at everything else, but had moments of shakiness. It's one of the bigger headscratchers of the offseason that we haven't sought a better punter.

 

[Duckjake]

Exactly. Graham was great at pinning, but horrible at everything else. IMO Zastudil is better at everything else, but had moments of shakiness. It's one of the bigger headscratchers of the offseason that we haven't sought a better punter.

It would really help if we didn't have to punt so often. 33 more punts than the Steelers last season. Heck we had more punts than the Colts!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I miss this guy

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[BigRedArk]

Don't know what numbers you're looking at, but especially late in the season Zastudil was one of the worst punters in the NFL. According to FootballOutsiders' advanced metrics, the Cards' punt game was below average.

I don't really care about Dizasterdil getting fired, but I think he deserves to get some camp competition. We could do better, and couldn't do much work than Ravi Shankar back there.

Where is the ol' Sitarman when we need him? Are you a Norah Jones fan?

 

[cardpa]

I don't look at the numbers much instead trusting what I see on the field. Again it looked to me like our punts and coverage of same weren't as good as in years past.

Punter has to be important for the Cards as the last 3 seasons they've been 9th, 4th and 5th in total number of punts for the season.

If our offense would hold the ball longer these numbers wouldn't be so high. We can't blame the punter for this.

 

[Duckjake]

If our offense would hold the ball longer these numbers wouldn't be so high. We can't blame the punter for this.

Not blaming the punter at all. Just saying that when you punt that much you need to have one of the best.

 

[JeffGollin]

Job Description: Punter...

1. Better than average distance combined with better than average hang-time.

2. When the range is right, can consistently drop punts inside the twenty (& preferably the 5 or 10).

3. Can consistently punt the ball away from guys like Hester, PP21 or Sproles.

4. Compatable with kicker holding for FG's

5. Never, never, ever shanks a punt - especially from deep inside his own territory.

Plus

5. Can sidestep and Rugby-punt to avoid having punt blocked.

It's not so much that Zastudil 100% awful across the board but more that he isn't consistently good enough in enough places.

 

[DakotaCardsFan]

I miss this guy

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I do not! At least the last couple of punters could sometimes make a tackle when necessary. Old "Punty McOnebar" (can't remember who it was on here that called Player that) would drive me crazy as the returner would run by him and he would do his little biotch slap on the back of the return's shoulder pads. Ugh!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I do not! At least the last couple of punters could sometimes make a tackle when necessary. Old "Punty McOnebar" (can't remember who it was on here that called Player that) would drive me crazy as the returner would run by him and he would do his little biotch slap on the back of the return's shoulder pads. Ugh!

He was our last pro bowl punter. Like it or not, an Arizona Cardinal great

 

[Duckjake]

He was our last pro bowl punter. Like it or not, an Arizona Cardinal great

When you lead the league in # of punts for decades you get a lot of punters selected to the pro bowl. Heck we probably hold the NFL record for most special teams players selected to the pro bowl in relation to regular players.

There is Carl Birdsong, Rich Camarillo, Jeff Feagles, Scott Player, Neil Rackers, Jim Bakken, Ron Wolfley, Johnny Bailey, Vai Sikahema, Sean Morey, Patrick Peterson, and someday Larod Stephens-Howling. Amazing how many good special teams guys we've had.

And that list doesn't even include Martay Jenkins who holds the NFL record for most kickoff returns in one season.