The Bobcat Nation

This is a topic over on Egriz, but I was also thinking about it while watching some of the game on Saturday. Why does Kramer refuse to recruit a "real" punter. Sure Lulay did a good job w/the roll out kicks & it was nice to have in there for a fake, but I counted several times in the game Sat. where Rolovichs roll out punts left Davis in great field position. Just curious if anyone knows what the deal is?

no idea; but a good question to ask Kramer this week!

First off, we have someone who can do a traditional punt very well, pretty sure it was kicker turned receiver Bolton who was booming them last year in scrimmages.

As for the roll punt, I'm kind of two minds on this. The only time it truly left them in any better field position than a normal punt was the block. Other than that I think we had a 32 yard punt average or something for 8 (ugh!) punts. Really, we wouldn't be getting much better with a standard punt. That said, however, I would much rather see us doing a traditional punt when we are down in our own side of the field to minimize the prospect of the block.

kmax wrote:First off, we have someone who can do a traditional punt very well, pretty sure it was kicker turned receiver Bolton who was booming them last year in scrimmages.

As for the roll punt, I'm kind of two minds on this. The only time it truly left them in any better field position than a normal punt was the block. Other than that I think we had a 32 yard punt average or something for 8 (ugh!) punts. Really, we wouldn't be getting much better with a standard punt. That said, however, I would much rather see us doing a traditional punt when we are down in our own side of the field to minimize the prospect of the block.

Well Said!

kmax wrote:First off, we have someone who can do a traditional punt very well, pretty sure it was kicker turned receiver Bolton who was booming them last year in scrimmages.

As for the roll punt, I'm kind of two minds on this. The only time it truly left them in any better field position than a normal punt was the block. Other than that I think we had a 32 yard punt average or something for 8 (ugh!) punts. Really, we wouldn't be getting much better with a standard punt. That said, however, I would much rather see us doing a traditional punt when we are down in our own side of the field to minimize the prospect of the block.

Opponents are averaging 0.4 yards per return on the Cats this season. That is exactly why we have the roll punt. Great points kmax!!!

I'd like to be worred about punting, but right now, we have bigger problems to worry about. If we played like we did the last two games, field position has very little to do with anything. Motivation and leadership are the issues. You have a good question, but, I don't want to get distracted with the little stuff. I hope Qback clubs don't get off on rabbit trails and ignore the real issues at hand.

Cat Pride wrote: Opponents are averaging 0.4 yards per return on the Cats this season. That is exactly why we have the roll punt. Great points kmax!!!

Well now that I didn't know. Anybody have any idea where that puts MSU as far as net punt yards?

anacondagriz wrote:

Cat Pride wrote: Opponents are averaging 0.4 yards per return on the Cats this season. That is exactly why we have the roll punt. Great points kmax!!!

Well now that I didn't know. Anybody have any idea where that puts MSU as far as net punt yards?

5th in the conference with a net of 34yds/punt.

I believe that Eric Fisher can punt as well. I don't know why they don't give it a shot with him.

longhorn_22 wrote:I believe that Eric Fisher can punt as well. I don't know why they don't give it a shot with him.

I personally like the roll punt style. It is effective (see the .4 yds/return). That blocked punt was only the second one I have seen since Lulay started it 3-4 years back. Only 2 in 4 years is damn good IMO. Then there is always the chance it bounces off a return team player. Who cares if it does not look pretty? It's a friggen punt, which means your offense was not pretty on that possession.....

Effective is a judgement call. Fifth in the confereence in net punting isn't a very good stat. Last year there was a roll punt blocked against PSU that was decisive. This year there was one against UCD. Two in two years. Both result in td's for the opponent. It seems that there were one or two otheres that were kicked into the backs of Bobcat players in the past as well. Memory?

'Cats have punted 15 times this year (too many), but it's tough to argue with the rollout when they've resulted in a 34 net yd. avg. and only 4 returns for a total of 6 yds.