We are not recruiting a Kicker and here is why...

UK Peregrine · Post by **UK Peregrine** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 8:59 am

TG1996 wrote:
Flipper wrote:Wasn't somebody jocking some walk on kicker on the board a month or so ago?
The kid's name is Eric Soltis, I thought he was walking on this past year, but supposedly since they didn't need him till next year, he never dressed or was on the roster. He'll be a soph (I believe) from Rossford, and made some pretty big kicks for the Bulldogs his senior year.

I could swear I saw him dressed at the GMAC game. He was standing directly in front of where I was sitting and my brother's were yelling at him. Maybe I'm wrong though?

JohnnySwoop '85 · Post by **JohnnySwoop '85** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 9:50 am

Hell, if they can allow me to 2 hour commute to just practices I'll do it gratis. i left all four years of eligibility on the table when I quit after walking on as a kicker (running sub 1.0 GPA 3 weeks into your first semester kind of puts priorities in order).

One question though: would that cause them to create a "Kids section" and have to put it next to the "Parents section"????

At this point in life some things don't work as well as they used to, but I can still hit em from the 25 yard line on in and finally have several suit jackets I can wear when showing up to the game . But the Doyt's cross wind is something you need to really get used to. Show up early to a game (Might have to stop tailgating) and watch the visiting specialists warm up...it is truly amazing how long it takes them to factor in the "BG breeze".

I like Greg's strategy though, a five yard pickup is probably well below a per play gain for Omar and punting a touchback or a missed field goal doesn't change your field position that much

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:07 am

Without a kicker we don't beat Purdue 2 years ago. Having a solid kicker is not a luxury, its a necessity.

I won't even go into what I read into that statement.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:12 am

We need to recruit an old school straight on kicker. I grew up watching George Blanda and Errol Mann. Those guys were solid! These soccer style guys all look like Europeans to me. Normally, I don't have a problem with Euro trash kickers, but I'm feeling a little xenophobic today...

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:21 am

FWIW, I think people ARE reading too much into that. Here is what I think:

1. Brandon has confindence in Timchenko to do an acceptable job. He did kick a decent length FG against SEMO last year. I see no reason to doubt his ability to kick. Just becasue he was a backup to the NCAA all-time leader in extra points made does not mean that he has only back-up talents. It means he had an outstading kicker in front of him on the depth chart.

2. Brandon is trying to intimidate opposing defenses and showing extreme confidence in our offense. He is just telling everyone that we have a great offense and we don't think you can stop us from gaining 10 yards in 4 plays. Sure, it may be arrogant, but it is pretty much the truth.

3. He may also be challenging our own defense. By saying we will go for it on those siituation, he is somewhat also saying that, if we don't make it, it will be ok because our defense is going to stop the opposition despite giving them decent field position.

4. Nate Fry was kicking 50 yard FG for Findlay a few years back. Just because he has only punted here for us, doesn't mean he can't pick up the field goal duties again as well.

I think people are getting a little too upset over this issue.

Relax!

BGSU33 · Post by **BGSU33** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:28 am

I think having a quality kicker is a very important component to a team. Field goals, extra points, kickoffs – these are all often overlooked areas that can win or lose games for teams. You sometimes take these things for granted until you need a big kick and fail. Then, it becomes a glaring problem or weakness. I am hoping we already have a guy capable of stepping in and performing if we aren't looking for a kicker now. I know we have an explosive offense, but during this four-year stretch run we've had, we've needed some good kicking and have gotten it most of the time.

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:34 am

No one, especially Brandon, ever said a quality kicker is not improtant. I think everyone can agree to that fact. Brandon thinks he already has a quality kicker and that his strategy next year will lead to more extra points and fewer field goals. Therefore, we do not need to recruit a kicker right now. Is that so hard to understand?

He also recognizes that we have more pressing needs (TE

) and is using scholarships for those positions instead.

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:38 am

In Brandon I Trust.

The rest of you....I have my doubts about.

Schadenfreude · Post by **Schadenfreude** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:45 am

JohnnySwoop '85 wrote:At this point in life some things don't work as well as they used to, but I can still hit em from the 25 yard line on in and finally have several suit jackets I can wear when showing up to the game .

Have any interest in grad school?

You wouldn't be the first old timer to hit the field.

BGorDeath · Post by **BGorDeath** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:55 am

Flipper wrote:We need to recruit an old school straight on kicker. I grew up watching George Blanda and Errol Mann. Those guys were solid! These soccer style guys all look like Europeans to me. Normally, I don't have a problem with Euro trash kickers, but I'm feeling a little xenophobic today...

How about the grandson of Don Cockroft? This reminds me of one of my favorite jokes from the Kardiac Kids days...Did you hear that Don Cockroft tried to commit suicide today? Couldn't kick the chair out from underneath him.

That still makes me chuckle.

kdog27 · Post by **kdog27** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:18 pm

hammb wrote:Without a kicker we don't beat Purdue 2 years ago. Having a solid kicker is not a luxury, its a necessity.

I won't even go into what I read into that statement.

I think GB was kidding when he said this. I sure hope he was anyway. You always need a kicker.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:21 pm

Flipper wrote:We need to recruit an old school straight on kicker. I grew up watching George Blanda and Errol Mann. Those guys were solid! These soccer style guys all look like Europeans to me. Normally, I don't have a problem with Euro trash kickers, but I'm feeling a little xenophobic today...

Fine...I'll do it! I kicked in HS at Dover in Tuscarawas County and was pretty decent. Longest FG in practice was 57 yards...I kid you not. Longest in a game was 25 but since our stupid coach didn't like trying FG's, that was about the extent of it. I remember at least 8 or 9 situations where we had 4th and 7 or so at the opponents 20-30 yard line and he would go for it.

I was a straight ahead (also known as conventional in this soccer style world) kicker and still take the footballs out to the field every once in a while. Last time I kicked, I was still hitting from 40-45. Problem is I need a new kicking shoe.

Coach, I have 4 years of eligibility left as well.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:23 pm

BGSU33 wrote:I think having a quality kicker is a very important component to a team. Field goals, extra points, kickoffs – these are all often overlooked areas that can win or lose games for teams. You sometimes take these things for granted until you need a big kick and fail. Then, it becomes a glaring problem or weakness. I am hoping we already have a guy capable of stepping in and performing if we aren't looking for a kicker now. I know we have an explosive offense, but during this four-year stretch run we've had, we've needed some good kicking and have gotten it most of the time.

Bingo. The kicking game is VITAL to the team's success.

FMBfan07 · Post by **FMBfan07** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 12:24 pm

The kid's name is Eric Soltis, I thought he was walking on this past year, but supposedly since they didn't need him till next year, he never dressed or was on the roster. He'll be a soph (I believe) from Rossford, and made some pretty big kicks for the Bulldogs his senior year.
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I could swear I saw him dressed at the GMAC game. He was standing directly in front of where I was sitting and my brother's were yelling at him. Maybe I'm wrong though?

umm i am pretty sure he went down there, so i am sure he might of dressed, but if u really want to know, i can ask him or his brother. his brother is my best friend... but i have heard that he is a great kicker, never watched him kick, but his brother also ranted on about him, but then i guess family is suppose too

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Thu Jan 20, 2005 1:52 pm

but i have heard that he is a great kicker, never watched him kick, but his brother also ranted on about him, but then i guess family is suppose too

If he was good enough to convince Rossford's old coach that field goals are okay to try, he must be damn good!

I think the coaches should start getting Anthony Turner working on kicking. Bring him in to kick a few short ones early in the season, and you never know what's coming later on...