Kicker

[PatsFaninAZ]

Do we need a new kicker?

What does it say to your kicker when you elect to go for a 4th and 13 instead of asking him to try a tough but makeable field goal?

If our coaching staff has simply adopted the philosophy that we should always go for it on 4th down in that situation, I guess that's ok. But to me it seemed at times this year that BB had lost confidence in our kicker.

And, to tell the truth, kicking off out of bounds in the super bowl is not exactly the way to promote confidence.

 

[signbabybrady]

Since when did that situation have a third option....you punt or you kick who the hell goes for 4th and 13 with a lead.

 

[Disco Volante]

Coach doesn't put us on the field to kick field goals.

 

[Tpd122]

If we had Vinatieri, BB wouldn't have gone for it one 4th so easily, having a great kicker is essential a great team, who knows, Gostowski could've made it, but his long was 52yds, ( correct me ). I'm trying my best not to look back at the should have done but didn'ts, but without trust in a kicker, few coaches would have gone for the FG.

 

[mgm79]

A 49 yard field goal is a tough kick, but its definitely makeable. I think the chances of converting a 4th and 13 (especially the way our offense was playing last night) are lower than Ghost making the FG.

 

[cblesz]

A 49 yard field goal is a tough kick, but its definitely makeable. I think the chances of converting a 4th and 13 (especially the way our offense was playing last night) are lower than Ghost making the FG.

:agree:


That is so true...

 

[mac]

I doubt any kicker you bring in will kick FG's for a better percentage or will be a better kickoff man.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

A 49 yard field goal is a tough kick, but its definitely makeable. I think the chances of converting a 4th and 13 (especially the way our offense was playing last night) are lower than Ghost making the FG.

But is it twice as make able. Let say the odds of the FG is 30% and the odd of getting a TD if you go for it is 20%. Then the expect value of going for it is 1.4 points but the expected value for the FG is only .9.

 

[ewg_gestalt]

I doubt any kicker you bring in will kick FG's for a better percentage or will be a better kickoff man.

Kickoffs and FG's aren't anywhere near the same beast. My suspicion is that BB was concerned that Gostkowski was too amped up (because of the kickoff that went out of bounds).

On the other hand, I think in the long run, Gostkowski will be better off having not had to try to make the kick. If he had missed, he would be the Super Bowl goat, and the Boston media would all be demanding his head right now. This way, he doesn't bear any significant responsibility for the loss.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

But is it twice as make able. Let say the odds of the FG is 30% and the odd of getting a TD if you go for it is 20%. Then the expect value of going for it is 1.4 points but the expected value for the FG is only .9.

Actually, I think the expected value of going for it higher, because you also have to add in the chances that you make the first down but then kick a field goal. (And, I think you correspondingly have to subtract out the possibilities that you contribute to points going the other way, e.g., by throwing a pick on the possessions, or that you knock yourself into worse field goal range by getting sacked or penalized.)

But all that said, I think the numbers are off. I can't believe the odds of making a 49 yarder should be 30 percent in a dome for an NFL kicker. If they are, then I think the answer to my post should be yes. I also don't think the chances of getting 7 when you have a 4th and 13 on the 30 are 20 percent. I think they are worse.

 

[jbb9s]

If it was the offense of September, I would have been ok with going for it. But the offense was out of sync. No continuity through the air......A dome kick with a young guy with a live leg - give him a chance.......

I thought this link was about a punter who lofted a fat kick into the endzone for about a 14 yard net on a touchback. Give me a break.

Does anyone remember why the PATRIOTS BEAT THE EAGLES.......maybe it was a punt downed inside the 5?

 

[stcjones]

If we had Vinatieri, BB wouldn't have gone for it one 4th so easily, having a great kicker is essential a great team, who knows, Gostowski could've made it, but his long was 52yds, ( correct me ). I'm trying my best not to look back at the should have done but didn'ts, but without trust in a kicker, few coaches would have gone for the FG.

Yeah and it was in a f'ing DOME!!!! Not sure what BB was thinking there.....but if you don't have faith or confidence to give your kicker a shot at a 48 yarder in a DOME WITH NO WIND.......then I would say it is time for a new kicker......Not to mention that the kid kicked one out of bounds giving the gints the ball on their 40 on one possession.......At the least BB should have elected to punt.....making a 4th and 13 .....is very rare odds wise......one of the rare coaching BLUNDERS by BB in his time here.....the other Blunders by BB was not challenging the fumble that we recovered.....and the fumble after a catch by Burress.......
Oh well ....don't want to think about it anymore

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Yeah and it was in a f'ing DOME!!!! Not sure what BB was thinking there.....but if you don't have faith or confidence to give your kicker a shot at a 48 yarder in a DOME WITH NO WIND.......then I would say it is time for a new kicker......Not to mention that the kid kicked one out of bounds giving the gints the ball on their 40 on one possession.......At the least BB should have elected to punt.....making a 4th and 13 .....is very rare odds wise......one of the rare coaching BLUNDERS by BB in his time here.....the other Blunders by BB was not challenging the fumble that we recovered.....and the fumble after a catch by Burress.......
Oh well ....don't want to think about it anymore

It was 4th and 13 . . . from the 32. Remember that: even if the Pats don't make the first down, if they pick up any yardage, that's yardage that's taken away from the Giants when they pick up the ball. But if Gostkowski missed, they get the ball back at the 39. I can understand why he did it, even if I don't agree . . . but I am glad that there's no possibility of Gostkowski becoming the goat here.

 

[patsfan55]

Do we need a new kicker?

What does it say to your kicker when you elect to go for a 4th and 13 instead of asking him to try a tough but makeable field goal?

If our coaching staff has simply adopted the philosophy that we should always go for it on 4th down in that situation, I guess that's ok. But to me it seemed at times this year that BB had lost confidence in our kicker.

And, to tell the truth, kicking off out of bounds in the super bowl is not exactly the way to promote confidence.

wait...we have a kicker?