re: Should we keep Grupe over Lutz?

Pretty sure NFL kickers can 1 step 50s with ease. There isn’t a modern kicker sniffing the NFL without unreal leg talent. I know a player in Grupe’s position today, Parker Romo for the Lions, and holy shite to see what he can do kicking a football is unreal. Both of them may be on the outside come tomorrow…but leg talent isn’t the issue. Very talented young men.

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Gaston

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Wrong board, but since I’ve got you, what’s the deal with Peyton Todd at LSU? Seemed to be the most decorated punter we signed in a while, if not ever. Is it a confidence thing with him and not being able to consistently hit it flush? Can he not punt directionally? Not enough hang time? Kelly just trusts his guy from Norte Dame because at least be knows what he can expect with him? Does Todd have the yips?

But to bring that back around to Lutz, the yips are a real thing. We see it with kickers all the time. Professional golfers are susceptible to it. So are MLB baseball players (Knaublach and Ankiel immediately come to mind.). Hell, we had an All-State catcher in high school who started 4 years on the LSU football team who went through a spell where he couldn’t throw it back to the pitcher. Eventually had to throw it to 3rd after every pitch and the 3B would throw it back to the pitcher.

The brain is a strange and complex organ and if wires get crossed, the yips can hang around for a long time, if not forever, and end careers. The Saints could be in some close games this year, and a handful of short FGs could be the difference in 7-9 or 9-7 and winning the South. Is it worth paying Lutz all that money and losing Grupe on the hopes that last year was an anomaly and he’s got it straightened out? Cause we can’t know until he gets in a real game, pressure situation. He could have gone 1000 for 1000 in camp practices, but you simply can’t come close to simulating the pressure of a real game.

All that said, we really can’t know what Grupe will do with live bullets flying. There was pressure on him last night because he was trying to make the team. But that’s not the same kind of pressure as lining up in a game that counts for a 50-yarder down by 2 to the Falcons with 2 seconds left on the clock. He may drill it right down the middle or shite his pants. Both guys are gambles in their own ways. That’s why I think they’ll probably go with Lutz. At least they know he’s been in that position multiple times before.

There may be something else at play, though. Their bigger concern might be OL depth and may want to go with Grupe to save some cap to use to sign somebody there.

Regardless, we’ll find out tomorrow. Will be interesting to see what they do.

Nick seems very adamant it's going to be Lutz. Personally I don't see why he should be so far ahead. If they are about equal I feel like you would go with the younger and cheaper option, see if you can get something out of SP for Lutz.