Blade article on the kickers (Cheatem and Barnes update)

[hammb]

I'd be interested to hear more detailed reports on the overall consistency of the kicking game.

The Spring game didn't tell us much in this regard at all, IMO. They didn't go full go on any special teams, no blocking or rushing the kickers. Sanislo made all his kicks, but the kickoffs were terrible.


It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Honestly, contrary to popular belief, I don't think our kickers were the biggest problem on ST's. Rojas would've been serviceable if not for the insane pressure always placed on him. Big Bird struggled, but A) Freshmen kickers usually do, and B) he kicked a good part of the year with a hip injury.

Either way, I think the ability of the blocking/coverage teams is more important than the kickers this year. Those units were every bit as bad, probably worse, than what the kickers were last year. Hopefully getting these guys coached up can change that.

[98_BG_GRAD]

I don't know about consistency, but in my walk-by yesterday, I saw a high, spiraling punt and I smiled.

Was there a defense rushing the punter? GB could make Ray Guy look bad with that punt formation. Has anyone seen if that has changed? If not, I will be sure to go take a leak everytime 4th down comes around.

[Redwingtom]

I don't know about consistency, but in my walk-by yesterday, I saw a high, spiraling punt and I smiled.

If you had seen the half-dozen or so field goal attempts that I saw, you might have vomited!

Can you positively state that Vrvilo and the first string were doing the kicking?

[TG1996]

I don't know about consistency, but in my walk-by yesterday, I saw a high, spiraling punt and I smiled.

Was there a defense rushing the punter? GB could make Ray Guy look back with that punt formation. Has anyone seen if that has changed? If not, I will be sure to go take a leak everytime 4th down comes around.

I didn't see the play, just the ball going through the air. I didn't get in and walk around hardly at all, I was short on time and wasn't sure if it was an "open" practice or not.

[BGFan]

I was short on time

Amongst other things!

[1987alum]

I don't know about consistency, but in my walk-by yesterday, I saw a high, spiraling punt and I smiled.

If you had seen the half-dozen or so field goal attempts that I saw, you might have vomited!

Can you positively state that Vrvilo and the first string were doing the kicking?

RWT:

Nope, but they only ran one group through that during the time I was there, so it would seem likely that it was the first team. But I can't say that for certain. I hope it wasn't, honestly.

[jpfalcon09]

I move back tomorrow, I'll try to sneak a couple peeks at practice through Sunday and see if I can get anything firm from every aspect of the team.

[BGSUFootballFan]

I'd be interested to hear more detailed reports on the overall consistency of the kicking game.

The Spring game didn't tell us much in this regard at all, IMO. They didn't go full go on any special teams, no blocking or rushing the kickers. Sanislo made all his kicks, but the kickoffs were terrible.


It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Honestly, contrary to popular belief, I don't think our kickers were the biggest problem on ST's. Rojas would've been serviceable if not for the insane pressure always placed on him. Big Bird struggled, but A) Freshmen kickers usually do, and B) he kicked a good part of the year with a hip injury.

Either way, I think the ability of the blocking/coverage teams is more important than the kickers this year. Those units were every bit as bad, probably worse, than what the kickers were last year. Hopefully getting these guys coached up can change that.

I agree. It's our coverage & ST's coaching that has sucked in the past, not our kickers. I think our kickers might be even better this year, but that does not necessarily mean we will be any better on ST's!

[BGFootball]

I don't know about consistency, but in my walk-by yesterday, I saw a high, spiraling punt and I smiled.

If you had seen the half-dozen or so field goal attempts that I saw, you might have vomited!

Can you positively state that Vrvilo and the first string were doing the kicking?

RWT:

Nope, but they only ran one group through that during the time I was there, so it would seem likely that it was the first team. But I can't say that for certain. I hope it wasn't, honestly.

My guess is that you were watching the back ups, Norsic and the new walk on Dombrowski kicking. Because I have yet to see inconsistent kicking from Sinisa. The kid has been nearly automatic in practice when it comes to kicking field goals. I have seen him consistently knock down 50+ yarders over and over again.

As far as the players and coaches not liking the kickers, that is sometimes true. Last year a lot of the guys didn't like Rojas because he had an excuse everytime he screwed up. Im sorry, yes the punt formation was stupid, but how many times did you see him just completely shank the ball? It happened quite often and one of my favorite quotes from him was "Coach, they rushed me hard..." well no s**t...thats their job, you still got to get the ball off. That kid kicked the ball farther then anyone I have ever seen him my life during practice, but then during games it was shank after shank.

I dont think you need to worry about the team not liking Sinisa, he is well liked by all the guys. I mean he probably could kick half the teams ass anyways . Probably the most bad ass kicker I have ever seen.

[Tricky_Falcon]

Lonesome Kicker

[hammb]

Lonesome Kicker

That song is hilarious. At one time Adam Sandler was comedic genius. Most of his recent work doesn't live up to that standard though...

[h2oville rocket]

I have seen him consistently knock down 50+ yarders over and over again.

A kicker of that quality is singularly unique, Yogi!

[tiznow]

I don't know about consistency, but in my walk-by yesterday, I saw a high, spiraling punt and I smiled.

If you had seen the half-dozen or so field goal attempts that I saw, you might have vomited!

Can you positively state that Vrvilo and the first string were doing the kicking?

RWT:

Nope, but they only ran one group through that during the time I was there, so it would seem likely that it was the first team. But I can't say that for certain. I hope it wasn't, honestly.

My guess is that you were watching the back ups, Norsic and the new walk on Dombrowski kicking. Because I have yet to see inconsistent kicking from Sinisa. The kid has been nearly automatic in practice when it comes to kicking field goals. I have seen him consistently knock down 50+ yarders over and over again.

As far as the players and coaches not liking the kickers, that is sometimes true. Last year a lot of the guys didn't like Rojas because he had an excuse everytime he screwed up. Im sorry, yes the punt formation was stupid, but how many times did you see him just completely shank the ball? It happened quite often and one of my favorite quotes from him was "Coach, they rushed me hard..." well no s**t...thats their job, you still got to get the ball off. That kid kicked the ball farther then anyone I have ever seen him my life during practice, but then during games it was shank after shank.

I dont think you need to worry about the team not liking Sinisa, he is well liked by all the guys. I mean he probably could kick half the teams ass anyways . Probably the most bad ass kicker I have ever seen.

The next Lawrence Tynes?

[Flipper]

George Blanda was a tough old man when he played for the Raiders. He had bits of guys like Sebastian Janikowski in his colon

[h2oville rocket]

Blanda had bits of large, freight hauling trucks in his colon. In fact he had a semi-colon.