Reiss: Field position/punting looms large

[Leave No Doubt]

5) Mike Scifres a top punter. Punter Mike Scifres is one of the NFL's best, as the Chargers enter with the NFL's top net average (45.1). He has six punts inside the 20 and can shift field position.

FINAL ANALYSIS: This game has the potential for some special teams explosion with both clubs. The Patriots will need a better performance from punter Chris Hanson this week, specifically when it comes to directional punts that negate Darren Sproles' return abilities. Overall, the kicking and field position game are going to be essential. Elsewhere, the Chargers' corners are capable of winning one-on-one, man-to-man matchups against the Patriots' receivers, and if that happens, it will allow them to do more in other areas of the field. The Chargers have not played well the last two weeks on the road, and are banged up. They looked lethal in their last home game, a 48-29 win over the Jets. If the Chargers play like that, it's hard to see the Patriots being able to keep pace. Prediction: Chargers 24, Patriots 23.

Chargers in focus - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

If the game hinges on Hanson.....

 

[102 Pat]

Wow, it seems to be rare for Reiss to pick against the Pats...

 

[MoLewisrocks]

5) Mike Scifres a top punter. Punter Mike Scifres is one of the NFL's best, as the Chargers enter with the NFL's top net average (45.1). He has six punts inside the 20 and can shift field position.

FINAL ANALYSIS: This game has the potential for some special teams explosion with both clubs. The Patriots will need a better performance from punter Chris Hanson this week, specifically when it comes to directional punts that negate Darren Sproles' return abilities. Overall, the kicking and field position game are going to be essential. Elsewhere, the Chargers' corners are capable of winning one-on-one, man-to-man matchups against the Patriots' receivers, and if that happens, it will allow them to do more in other areas of the field. The Chargers have not played well the last two weeks on the road, and are banged up. They looked lethal in their last home game, a 48-29 win over the Jets. If the Chargers play like that, it's hard to see the Patriots being able to keep pace. Prediction: Chargers 24, Patriots 23.

Chargers in focus - Reiss' Pieces - Boston.com

If the game hinges on Hanson.....

Good, Mike picked the JETS too...

ST will be where this game lies in the balance, and Hanson is a putz... So I guess the key will be to limit punts.

That said, the Chargers secondary has been more inconsistent than ours given the paper talent capability imbalance. And they've been run on to boot and struggled to get pressure on pocket passers. They're running out of WR's, their all world TE remains hobbled, not to mention Rivers and Classy remain gimpy and Norv is teetering.

Sproles will be everywhere unless Norv blows that and stopping him will likely be the key.

 

[denverpatsfan]

Remember the playoff game a couple years ago? Our rent a punter was KEY in that game. Hopefully Hanson gets it together this week.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Good, Mike picked the JETS too...

ST will be where this game lies in the balance, and Hanson is a putz... So I guess the key will be to limit punts.

That said, the Chargers secondary has been more inconsistent than ours given the paper talent capability imbalance. And they've been run on to boot and struggled to get pressure on pocket passers. They're running out of WR's, their all world TE remains hobbled, not to mention Rivers and Classy remain gimpy and Norv is teetering.

Sproles will be everywhere unless Norv blows that and stopping him will likely be the key.

SD's ST being inconsistent was my impression too,though I wasn't aware that SD's punter was among the best in the league. Position for position we'll therefore hope Hanson makes limited appearances. Gost was on the injury report the other day for thigh issues (not out, just limited practice participation I believe).

Plus there's the Norv Factor. Going in,I think we're in better shape than SD and our ST has been improving nicely (except for Hanson). Mike's analysis took me by surprise,not his pick so much as his emphasis on punting and ST,punting being our weakness.

If he also picked the Jets that's good. If he's wrong again this week-Keep picking,Mike

 

[Leave No Doubt]

Remember the playoff game a couple years ago? Our rent a punter was KEY in that game. Hopefully Hanson gets it together this week.

We can only hope. If he doesn't, I wonder what,if anything,BB will do. Let's hope Mike is wrong about the game being decided by field position,or at least no more decided than it typically is.

Hanson In Focus this week? :ugh:

 

[102 Pat]

Must be a error somewhere as this page on the Globe site has Reiss picking the Pats.

Globe Staff picks - Boston.com

Still, I see the banged up SD offence having a hard time to put points on the board. I see the Pats D putting a lot of pressure with some blitz's early on. Last week Thomas and Vrabel were getting good pressure on O'Sullivan and came close to some sacks.

 

[TheComeback]

I have to say that Hanson is the only weakness in our special teams unit. So far, I've been really impressed with the coverage and return game. I think we have a definite edge over SD on special teams.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Must be a error somewhere as this page on the Globe site has Reiss picking the Pats.

Globe Staff picks - Boston.com

Still, I see the banged up SD offence having a hard time to put points on the board. I see the Pats D putting a lot of pressure with some blitz's early on. Last week Thomas and Vrabel were getting good pressure on O'Sullivan and came close to some sacks.

The Globe page is picking against the spread. Mike picked the Pats only to beat the 5 point spread on that page but to lose by 1 in his own piece.

 

[JSn]

I'd say we could live with touchbacks. Maybe we can skip punting and just go with kick-off's?

Check out "The Ghost" Kicking this dude in the nuts!

 

[alamo]

I am surprised that Reiss mentioned we need to prevent returns by Sproles, but doesn't mention that Hansen is currently near the top of the league in preventing returns. Only 3 punts returned all season, for 30 yards total! I suspect that Belichick values this and is not as upset with the punting as many fans are.

 

[JSn]

I am surprised that Reiss mentioned we need to prevent returns by Sproles, but doesn't mention that Hansen is currently near the top of the league in preventing returns. Only 3 punts returned all season, for 30 yards total! I suspect that Belichick values this and is not as upset with the punting as many fans are.

I remember one game, not sure which, where everyone was upset with Hanson and on the PC BB said he thought both the kickers did well, other than one punt mistake.

I guess their view is different than ours.

 

[102 Pat]

The Globe page is picking against the spread. Mike picked the Pats only to beat the 5 point spread on that page but to lose by 1 in his own piece.

Thanks for the clarification, I think the cough syrup I'm taking is making me loopy!

 

[Leave No Doubt]

I am surprised that Reiss mentioned we need to prevent returns by Sproles, but doesn't mention that Hansen is currently near the top of the league in preventing returns. Only 3 punts returned all season, for 30 yards total! I suspect that Belichick values this and is not as upset with the punting as many fans are.

Interesting stat! Good point-maybe that's what BB is seeing. Maybe Hanson's 'style' if you will,can work to our advantage.

 

[Urgent]

Check out "The Ghost" Kicking this dude in the nuts!

That hurts so much Hanson is doubled over just watching it...

 

[Mike the Brit]

I am surprised that Reiss mentioned we need to prevent returns by Sproles, but doesn't mention that Hansen is currently near the top of the league in preventing returns. Only 3 punts returned all season, for 30 yards total! I suspect that Belichick values this and is not as upset with the punting as many fans are.

How many touchbacks?

 

[alamo]

How many touchbacks?

5... league leader in touchbacks, in fact.

And it is fair to note that he has only 14 punts, which is 26th in the league (partly because of the bye and one fewer game than many punters).

So his touchback rate is very high, which does contribute to his returns allowed being the best in the league (on both an absolute basis and a per-punt basis).

But that doesn't change my original point: I suspect BB sees touchbacks as less damaging than returns. I can't recall anyone ever returning a touchback for a TD

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

5... league leader in touchbacks, in fact.

And it is fair to note that he has only 14 punts, which is 26th in the league (partly because of the bye and one fewer game than many punters).

So his touchback rate is very high, which does contribute to his returns allowed being the best in the league (on both an absolute basis and a per-punt basis).

But that doesn't change my original point: I suspect BB sees touchbacks as less damaging than returns. I can't recall anyone ever returning a touchback for a TD

I wonder if BB has in his posession a study that says a touchback statistically is better than trying to down it inside the 20 and risking a ruturn PAST the 20? Personally I doubt that this is true but then again I don't have access to the #s. It almost seems that Hanson has deliberately kicked for touchbacks on several occasions. Then again, never attribute that to genius which could be attributed to incompetence.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I wonder if BB has in his posession a study that says a touchback statistically is better than trying to down it inside the 20 and risking a ruturn PAST the 20? Personally I doubt that this is true but then again I don't have access to the #s. It almost seems that Hanson has deliberately kicked for touchbacks on several occasions. Then again, never attribute that to genius which could be attributed to incompetence.

It wouldn't surprise me if he did.

As far as the much-bemoaned "go for it" in the SB, BB does have a paper implying that unless you (A) are within 10 yards of either end zone or (B) have hopeless field position (e.g., 4th-and-30), you're almost always better off going for it than kicking/punting (i.e., going for it is more likely to lead to victory).

 

[Leave No Doubt]

It almost seems that Hanson has deliberately kicked for touchbacks on several occasions. Then again, never attribute that to genius which could be attributed to incompetence.

Hanson By Design....? Only The Hoodie knows for sure I guess:verycool:

One thing we do know-BB's worked out enough of them and he's let a few walk who we (in our infinite wisdom:singing were somewhat surprised to see go.And he's stuck with Hanson despite some rather poor showings,or at least that's how they've generally been perceived. So you gotta wonder...