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re: Bama worked out 12 Australian punters over the Summer
Posted on 9/28/18 at 9:42 am to TidalSurge1
Posted on 9/28/18 at 9:42 am to TidalSurge1
quote:
Saban noted that Australian punters, which have taken over the position in college football, are especially skilled at rugby punts. And even UA thought about adding one to its roster this offseason.
“We actually had 12 of them come here and work out, and we chose to go with the freshman rather than take an Australian guy,” Saban said. “But those guys that play rugby and soccer now, they can control the ball a lot better than an American punter can.”
DeLong was the nation’s No. 4 punter in the 2018 recruiting cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite. In his fourth game in an Alabama uniform, the freshman averaged 36.0 yards per punt with a long of 52 yards -- thanks to a home-team roll -- and a short of 13 yards.
Among punters that have played in 75 percent of their teams’ games and have a minimum of 3.6 punts per game played, DeLong ranks last in the SEC and 89th out of 90 nationally with an average of 35.93 yards per punt. That’s more than seven yards less than JK Scott’s 42.96 average last year and more than 12 yards less than Scott’s stellar freshman numbers (48.0).
But what DeLong lacks in confidence in himself, Saban makes up for in his confidence in DeLong. “The thing about Skyler is he’s been a lot better in practice and done a good job in practice and actually had a really good week in practice last week,” Saban said. “We know he’s capable.
“I just think that maybe his confidence in the game is not what he needs it to be right now, and I think we need to support him and try to help him develop the consistency in game situations that will allow him to have success. And we certainly need for him to do that.”
1
Posted on 9/28/18 at 9:51 am to jatebe
This is another example of Saban showing some allegiance to his players. Obviously he has some compassion.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 10:06 am to The Quiet One
quote:
Were all 12 Aussie punters missing legs?
Maybe they were peg legs
Posted on 9/28/18 at 10:59 am to TidalSurge1
I think he'll get it figured out. It's not like a kicker where the guy can actually lose a game for us
Posted on 9/28/18 at 11:04 am to CAbamafan
quote:
It's not like a kicker where the guy can actually lose a game for us
He absolutely can lose a game for us.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 11:08 am to pvilleguru
quote:
He absolutely can lose a game for us.
People totally don't understand how valuable a punter is in close games.
If you're losing 15-20 yards of field position on every exchange of punts, a punter edge can be worth 100+ yards by the end of the game.
That's what a great RB would give you.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 11:16 am to PEPE
What if he actually has to punt in a pressure situation (he hasn't yet), and he takes an extra half second to make sure he kicks it correctly and it ends up being blocked?
Posted on 9/28/18 at 11:19 am to pvilleguru
Good point. This guy could lose a game for us. What if he fumbles the ball when he receives it, and the other team scoops it up and scores a TD. Yeah this is a serious problem and I'm very worried
Posted on 9/28/18 at 11:53 am to CAbamafan
Assignment.....
Whomever is going to the game on Saturday is to arrive in YOUR seat before the Bama specialist come out for warmups. I assume the punter will stand near the 50 and practice. You will chart each punt from toe to receiver. I will say that he can't punt the ball into the endzone 6 of 10 times.
Whomever is going to the game on Saturday is to arrive in YOUR seat before the Bama specialist come out for warmups. I assume the punter will stand near the 50 and practice. You will chart each punt from toe to receiver. I will say that he can't punt the ball into the endzone 6 of 10 times.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 12:23 pm to JoseyWalesTheOutlaw
Why not take an Aussie guy and then cut whoever loses between him and DeLong? Competition is healthy for everyone. Make DeLong earn that scholly.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 12:30 pm to PEPE
Losing 15-20 yards per punt is extreme and almost totally unlikely to happen. Maybe 10 yards, and that's on the high end.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 12:40 pm to Bham Bammer
We're losing a good 8-10 yards per punt with DeLong right now. That adds up in a tight game where you may punt the ball 6-7 times.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 12:49 pm to jatebe
He has been consistent, though. His four games:
36.3
35.0
37.0
36.0
36.3
35.0
37.0
36.0
Posted on 9/28/18 at 12:49 pm to tider04
Where were all these people when Austin Jones was missing extra points? Should he have been allowed all season to get his confidence back? No one complained when he was replaced
Posted on 9/28/18 at 12:57 pm to tider04
Posted on 9/28/18 at 1:00 pm to Bham Bammer
quote:
He's doing the best he can. Either he'll pick it up or be replaced.
No one is saying he isn’t trying. He just isn’t very good at all.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 1:08 pm to 1BamaRTR
Who ya gonna call? No punter!
Posted on 9/28/18 at 1:09 pm to tider04
quote:
We're losing a good 8-10 yards per punt with DeLong right now.
Which is a long way from 15-20, and that was my point. Not that DeLong is doing a good job right now.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 1:10 pm to Cobrasize
quote:
Where were all these people when Austin Jones was missing extra points? Should he have been allowed all season to get his confidence back? No one complained when he was replaced
Name our backup punter.
Posted on 9/28/18 at 1:19 pm to Bham Bammer
quote:
Name our backup punter.
So your saying the only reason you want to give him more time is because we don't have a replacement? That's a big difference from the original give him time to get better and get confidence, don't you think?
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