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Interesting Note on Punting Away from TM7.
Posted on 12/14/11 at 11:03 pm
Posted on 12/14/11 at 11:03 pm
Not brought up I noticed, but Alabama only punted to LSU twice in the first meeting, both in the second half. If Alabama does decide to kick away from TM7 and consistently lose that field position, that could by game's end be a 100-yard difference against LSU's Brad Wing. If Alabama concedes 30 yard punts that travel OOB, I think that is to their undoing.
I guess what I'm trying to point out is losing 10-15 yards per punt exchange is a big factor. If there are seven punts by each team, which is not unheard of, you're looking at losing 70-100 yards. It's a stat not in the final boxscore, but that is a subtle huge disparity. I don't think either team can methodically go on 80 yard drives, but if LSU's field is always 10 yards shorter, I think that really adds pressure to Alabama.
Both teams are great and it's close, but that's the kind of stats that go unnoticed too often.
I guess what I'm trying to point out is losing 10-15 yards per punt exchange is a big factor. If there are seven punts by each team, which is not unheard of, you're looking at losing 70-100 yards. It's a stat not in the final boxscore, but that is a subtle huge disparity. I don't think either team can methodically go on 80 yard drives, but if LSU's field is always 10 yards shorter, I think that really adds pressure to Alabama.
Both teams are great and it's close, but that's the kind of stats that go unnoticed too often.
This post was edited on 12/14/11 at 11:08 pm
7
Posted on 12/14/11 at 11:12 pm to rpg37
OBJ returned kicks in that game. TM7 didn't grab hold of the return man spot until OBJr fumbled it away in the WKU game.
As we've seen, TM7 has proven he's our most skilled return man. Les has always handled returns strangely. I just think he felt OBJr had more shift and breakaway speed than TM7 (which he probably does), but TM7 has incredible ball skills.
As we've seen, TM7 has proven he's our most skilled return man. Les has always handled returns strangely. I just think he felt OBJr had more shift and breakaway speed than TM7 (which he probably does), but TM7 has incredible ball skills.
Posted on 12/14/11 at 11:16 pm to rpg37
Good post. Just another aspect how superior are special teams are to theirs
Posted on 12/14/11 at 11:26 pm to Santa Clause
I think TM7 was returning punts earlier in the year too, but he would never call for fair catches even with defenders right in his place and he would frequently get hammered immediately after catching the ball. I guess it paid off for him in the long run. Don't take the risk then you don't get the rewards.
Posted on 12/14/11 at 11:48 pm to Santa Clause
quote:
TM7 has incredible ball skills.
Which has ZERO bearing on returning punts after the catch is made.
Amazes me how people misuse this term on this site.
Posted on 12/14/11 at 11:53 pm to rpg37
I dont think they will kick it 30 yards out of bounds. Most likely they will just angle kicks towards one side of the field.
Hopefully Mathieu makes smart decisions and calls for the fair catch when needed, losing a fumbled punt would be so big in this game. He better not be too eager.
Hopefully Mathieu makes smart decisions and calls for the fair catch when needed, losing a fumbled punt would be so big in this game. He better not be too eager.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 12:01 am to Santa Clause
Tm7 is so good returning punts because he is without a doubt the most fearless PR I have ever seen, even more so then Peterson. The dude has brass balls, he will run up on a two hopper that most return men avoid at all cost. Not him, he runs at it at full speed, and he never mishandles the ball. (kow)
Posted on 12/15/11 at 12:01 am to Santa Clause
quote:
OBJ returned kicks in that game. TM7 didn't grab hold of the return man spot until OBJr fumbled it away in the WKU game.
This is completely incorrect. TM7 was the punt return guy almost the entire season because of his sure decision making and great hands when catching the ball. The majority of the time when he wasn't receiving the punt, he was put on the line bc we were going after the block.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 12:03 am to DEANintheYAY
quote:
Which has ZERO bearing on returning punts after the catch is made.
Say what? Have you seen him handle those balls when their bouncing end over end like a ground ball through pot holes?
Posted on 12/15/11 at 12:04 am to dreaux
quote:
Tm7 is so good returning punts because he is without a doubt the most fearless PR I have ever seen, even more so then Peterson. The dude has brass balls, he will run up on a two hopper that most return men avoid at all cost. Not him, he runs at it at full speed, and he never mishandles the ball. (kow)
This is part of that great decision making. When most guys do this it's a disaster, but with TM7's sure hands it's a great move. He doesn't always do it though. So you know he's taking into account each separate situation. His decision making on when and when not to catch the ball and his ability to always surely handled the ball are the reasons he's back there, imo.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 12:26 am to jturn17
Whats funny is until 2 games ago TM7 wasn't even a factor in the punt return game.. If Alabamas punter boots a big one and he has time to return it he will make shite happen, but most the time (almost the whole year) that was not the case.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 12:41 am to TigerMan327
quote:
Whats funny is until 2 games ago TM7 wasn't even a factor in the punt return game..
Thats what Im thinking as well. In the last 2 games, he has had returns that were for sure game changing. But for the other games, he could barely get 3 yards on a return.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 12:47 am to Lsuhoohoo
Nah. He actually made quite a few big plays in terms of field position by fielding some of those punts.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 1:08 am to rpg37
Misleading thread title
Posted on 12/15/11 at 3:23 am to TigerMan327
quote:
Whats funny is until 2 games ago TM7 wasn't even a factor in the punt return game..
People seem to forget this - some of the guys on ESPN have even called him the most dangerous return guy in college football --------> it's like they base everything on two games. And like you said....The punter for Georgia kicked VERY high which gave our guys time to make blocks.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 3:40 am to Santa Clause
quote:
Les has always handled returns strangely.
It's not so strange. He just picks his PRs like a baseball manager chooses a pinch hitter, a combination of situational preferences and gut feeling.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 3:42 am to DEANintheYAY
quote:
TM7 has incredible ball skills.
quote:
Which has ZERO bearing on returning punts after the catch is made.
Not true! TM7 can put a fake on defenders using nothing but his testicles.
Posted on 12/15/11 at 6:48 am to geauxalphaomega
quote:
The punter for Georgia kicked VERY high which gave our guys time to make blocks.
Maybe Bama will wise up and kick low punts so we don't have time to block?
Posted on 12/15/11 at 6:59 am to rpg37
With TM on the returns, Dre Kirkpatrick is gonna look like Ryan O'Neal on kickoffs, a man on a mission. Dre will be out to hurt TM7. will be interesting to see.
This post was edited on 12/15/11 at 7:00 am
Posted on 12/15/11 at 7:14 am to LSUNO
quote:
ike Ryan O'Neal on kickoffs, a man on a mission
His hit in the Cotton Bowl was awesome.
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