2017 Free Agency/Off Season

HigginsJ

Why do NFL teams carry both a punter and a kicker on the roster? The more I think about it the more sense it would be to have one guy capable of doing both. It is not like you are asking them to do something completely different.

What am I missing here?

Knex*

HigginsJ wrote: »

Why do NFL teams carry both a punter and a kicker on the roster? The more I think about it the more sense it would be to have one guy capable of doing both. It is not like you are asking them to do something completely different.

What am I missing here?

But they are quite different. Plus leg fatigue. You also wouldn't be able to get the desired amount of practice reps in if they were doing both kicking and punting.

And most punters now do the placeholding for the kickers? That probably has something to do with it as well.

Beefy78

Did I read that years and years and years ago the QB used to double as the punter?

I may have dreamed that.

HigginsJ

Beefy78 wrote: »

Did I read that years and years and years ago the QB used to double as the punter?

I may have dreamed that.

Tony Romo!!!!

HigginsJ

Knex. wrote: »

But they are quite different. Plus leg fatigue. You also wouldn't be able to get the desired amount of practice reps in if they were doing both kicking and punting.

And most punters now do the placeholding for the kickers? That probably has something to do with it as well.

How many kicks offs, FG's/PAT's, punts per game would you be getting through. I'm looking at getting value for my money.

I don't know how much additional practise you need, the long snapper is the same for punting/fg's so it is the same main guy you are working with. You are right that one holds for the other but you can get that extra player that you are carrying to be the holder for the FG's.

Itssoeasy

HigginsJ wrote: »

Tony Romo!!!!

Ah be fair higgins, tony romo was a great hold.. oh wait. :D:D

raze_them_all_

HigginsJ wrote: »

How many kicks offs, FG's/PAT's, punts per game would you be getting through. I'm looking at getting value for my money.

I don't know how much additional practise you need, the long snapper is the same for punting/fg's so it is the same main guy you are working with. You are right that one holds for the other but you can get that extra player that you are carrying to be the holder for the FG's.

Let's say you have a 4 score Vs 3 score game. You got 5vs4 kick offs automatically for start half and score kicks. You will have a few 3 and outs, maybe some fgs, so probably 10 or 11 a piece. Have you ever tried to punt an American football?? The hang time and did they get is actually impressive. Then their is the mechanics of it. Punting and kicking mechanics are completely different

mikemac2

I didn't appreciate punting until I saw them warming up pre game in Wembley

It's mad impressive the hang time they can get

As for the question sure you could find a player to do both roles but a quality kicker and punter are more valuable than a 3rd string lineman or whoever you want the roster spot for

HigginsJ

I will slink away with my points, I don't really appreciate the punting side of it to be fair although if you have a good punter surely he could develop the goal kicking. Anyway, move on, clearly both are needed.

nerd69

Beefy78 wrote: »

Did I read that years and years and years ago the QB used to double as the punter?

I may have dreamed that.

Pretty sure the longest punt in history is Randal Cunningham and that wouldn't be that long ago in the grand scheme of things

Realt Dearg Sec

HigginsJ wrote: »

I will slink away with my points, I don't really appreciate the punting side of it to be fair although if you have a good punter surely he could develop the goal kicking. Anyway, move on, clearly both are needed.

Your point seems logical on face though.I'd be fairly sure that at high school level nearly all kickers also punt and vice versa. Presumably they specialise later. But that's true in lots of positions. Technically most of what you do on an offensive line is pushing fat guys, so presumably they could all technically slot in anywhere on the line but at that level of play where you need to be perfect in a position there's no time to be learning even small differences as between tackle and guard (i know some do it). Could apply the same to safeties and corners and stuff as well. I'm betting for most teams of their kicker gets injured in a game the punter is the replacement and vice versa.

Itssoeasy

HigginsJ wrote: »

Why do NFL teams carry both a punter and a kicker on the roster? The more I think about it the more sense it would be to have one guy capable of doing both. It is not like you are asking them to do something completely different.

What am I missing here?

Well the only thing the same is the fact both kick the ball. I mean outside of that it's a very different skill. I mean there's a reason why teams have a long snapper on the roster. The guy has a special skill set that's needed and he's probably actually done it for a few years.

Itssoeasy

nerd69 wrote: »

Pretty sure the longest punt in history is Randal Cunningham and that wouldn't be that long ago in the grand scheme of things

Yeah but Randal was a freak and probably could punt well. There's a difference between being able to punt and punt well.