Punting and kicking and fans

[Schadenfreude]

I figured I'd play offense for a change.

On Rojas punting the ball out of bounds: This was clearly by design.

I think the fact that he wasn't angling it better is a sign of his youth. I haven't seen film, but it isn't hard for me to imagine he never really was asked to do this sort of thing in high school. So, it may take him a season to really figure out how to work a better angle from any point on the field and give us better field position.

But I don't have a huge problem with the strategy. Some of the fans sitting around me were making fun of the punts, but it was clearly be design, even if it looked a little hacky. The one he kicked straight away showed how strong a leg he has.

It would be interesting for someone to figure out the net on that straight away punt -- and Ginn's decent return -- and compare it to our average net on the other punts. I imagine it was pretty close to a wash.

While I'm on our Florida youngsters...

I liked the decision to try the 50 yard field goal after our first drive. From what we've all heard, Big Bird does have the leg to hit from there. So it was worth a try, even though we have to know, going in, that there is a decent risk of a block from that distance.

It was blocked, of course. But in the end, we didn't give away much more than we would have by going for it in and failing to make the nine yards or whatever we needed. I liked the call, and in the litany of things our special teams have done wrong this year, I would leave this blocked kick off the list.

Overall, I think our special teams had a decent game. They are coming around.

Finally: Fans. I didn't have a problem at all. None, and I was around quite a few students. It probably helped that I didn't utter a word that could be misinterpreted as confidence. Considering the point spread -- who could have much confidence?

[TG1996]

It would be interesting for someone to figure out the net on that straight away punt -- and Ginn's decent return -- and compare it to our average net on the other punts. I imagine it was pretty close to a wash.

It was listed as a 48 yard punt in the box score, with a 21 yard return, so 27... the others (4) averaged 25 yards each (24.75 if you wanted to be a dick about it. )

So yeah, just about a wash.

ADD:
I agree with the rest of your post re: punting. It looked like he was trying too hard to make sure he got it to the sideline, and didn't think about the angles. He hit some real ducks early in the year, but some of those today seemed to be hit well, just too sharply OB.

[Peregrinner]

On Rojas punting the ball out of bounds: This was clearly by design.
...
The one he kicked straight away showed how strong a leg he has.

Thank you. Its nice to hear someone say something nice about Rojas. I understand people are frustrated with the kicking after last year and the first few in '06, but when he's had the blocking and hasn't been directed to kick it out of bounds, he has definitely shown he can boot the damn thing.

[San Diego Falcon]

From a risk/reward perspective, why didn't we try a 52-yard FG at the end of the half. Big Bird has the leg to make it.

Let's say the odds of making it are 20% (being conservative). The odds of scoring a TD on the last play from the 35-yard line are probably less than 5%.

The only other factor is the fear of having it blocked and returned for a TD, but we were already down 21-0, so why not let 'er rip? At a minimum, seemed like a wasted practice opportunity.

[BGGrad01]

Rojas' first punt was hammered but he had too much of an angle on it and it went out of bounds after 25 yards or so. The others looked to be more shankish, but still ended up netting the same amount of yardage. Overall, I didn't mind the strategy at all.

I didn't really like the FG attempt mainly because it was into the slight breeze. I agree that we didn't give up much in field position, but I think our chances of picking up the first down were as good or better than Big Bird kicking that one through the uprights.

Re: OSU fans, I didn't have one negative thing said to me all day. It was greatly appreciated. I was down on A deck and most people stood when the BG band played the alma mater prior to the game. I appreciated that gesture of respect as well.

[Schadenfreude]

From a risk/reward perspective, why didn't we try a 52-yard FG at the end of the half. Big Bird has the leg to make it.

Let's say the odds of making it are 20% (being conservative). The odds of scoring a TD on the last play from the 35-yard line are probably less than 5%.

The only other factor is the fear of having it blocked and returned for a TD, but we were already down 21-0, so why not let 'er rip? At a minimum, seemed like a wasted practice opportunity.

I wouldn't argue with the call you would have made. But, considering we were down 21-0... maybe it was worth making the bigger gamble and doing the hail Mary we tried to set up.

[TG1996]

Coach Brandon on the FG attempt that was blocked:

"I just didn't want to punt it. I wanted to get some points and
that was probably a bad decision on my part."

Oh, and Rusty Miller, the OSU beat writer for the AP, refers to Rojas as "a rugby-style punter". Really? Even with the short punts, I didn't think he went rugby style today, did he?

[Schadenfreude]

Oh, and Rusty Miller, the OSU beat writer for the AP, refers to Rojas as "a rugby-style punter". Really? Even with the short punts, I didn't think he went rugby style today, did he?

Saw that.

He jogged with it before booting it most of that time. In that sense, it was rugby -- but I think that was about angling it and our formation rather than what Rojas is really about.

[Warthog]

I liked the decision to try the 50 yard field goal after our first drive. From what we've all heard, Big Bird does have the leg to hit from there. So it was worth a try, even though we have to know, going in, that there is a decent risk of a block from that distance.

It was blocked, of course. But in the end, we didn't give away much more than we would have by going for it in and failing to make the nine yards or whatever we needed. I liked the call, and in the litany of things our special teams have done wrong this year, I would leave this blocked kick off the list.

Overall, I felt very positive about how things transpired today. So please do not take my comments as negative as much as some observations.

I too, do not have a problem with attempting the FG. But, I do have other conerns related to this. First, when we get a first down at the opponents 37 or 38, you have to make up your mind, if we get stopped will we kick a FG or do we have four plays here to get the first down. Then manage the play calling accordingly.

Second, I was disappointed, for the second week in a row, we had to call a timeout in this situation. The coach needs to know what he is going to do and get the right players out on the field. If your gonna kick the FG, that's fine. But get the unit ready and out on the field right after the third down is over. Having to call a TO to get off a FG attempt shouldn't happen.

Third, I was very disappointed to hear Brandon say the decision was between a FG and punting. This is my philosophy: If inside the opponents 35, NEVER PUNT THE BALL. Doing so shows no confidence in your offense to pick up the first down. And shows no confidence that your defense will stop the opponent if you don't make the first down. It is more of a psyshological thing you are trying to establish. Punting from inside the opponents 35 is playing scared. You don't win playing scared.

[VernLovesCinnamonRolls]

As an OSU fan I have to ask, how freaking huge is your kicker? I saw the guy trot out there for the first field goal and couldn't believe my eyes? Seriously, what are this guys measurable? Am I crazy or was he towering over O-lineman? I've been trolling for a few days now and have heard you guys refer to him to as Big Bird but holy crap is he tall. Also, from what I saw I think your punter will be fine. He only had one chance to show off his leg ( he boomed it pretty well) and angling punts is MUCH harder to do than it would appear to somebody who has never tried it. There is a lot to be said about experience at the punter position.

[Peregrinner]

6'6" - 200LBS
I've been trying to make the point of experience, pressure and the directional punt to people, but some people just aren't willing to hear it. Thanks for the post though, it was cool to hear an outsider's perspective.

[FliccGirl]

As an OSU fan I have to ask, how freaking huge is your kicker? I saw the guy trot out there for the first field goal and couldn't believe my eyes? Seriously, what are this guys measurable? Am I crazy or was he towering over O-lineman? I've been trolling for a few days now and have heard you guys refer to him to as Big Bird but holy crap is he tall.

You're not crazy. He's 6'6".

ETA- Oops, got beaten to it.

[TG1996]

I've been trolling for a few days now....

Let's say you've been "lurking". Your posts have been kind and worthwhile. Save the trolling for others.

Of course, if you want to troll, we'll send our kicker after you.

[VernLovesCinnamonRolls]

6'6" 200 lbs..... hmmm, I'd rather not take a crack at that.


Edit: ALso, I'm glad to hear none of you have had any problems with our fans. I think our reputation is much worse than we really deserve... unless we happen to be playing Michigan that day. Really the only time somebody can get into trouble is when they start running their mouth, in that case look out for the bottles and bricks.

[Flipper]

Our punter is also a big kid for a kicker (6'-4"and 205lbs)...although he may have been compressed some by defenders crashing into him after they blocked a punt.

On a side note...how did you get that cat in your avatar to wear a suit? I can't even get a polo shirt on mine.