Gostkowski's Kickoffs

[BelichickFan]

Lost among the FG misses he had was the ridiculous kickoffs Gostkowski had this preseason.

Last year in the regular season he had 12 touchbacks in 81 kicks - 14.8%.
This preseason he had 9 touchbacks in 19 kicks - 47%.

At that 47% rate he would have had 38 touchbacks last year.

And in case anyone is thinking it's a preseason thing, either due to a more rested leg or lesser returners, last year he had 1 touchback in 23 kickoffs in the preseason.

Not sure it will mean much once it gets colder, etc, but he sure was kicking the hell out of the ball in August.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Lost among the FG misses he had was the ridiculous kickoffs Gostkowski had this preseason.

Last year in the regular season he had 12 touchbacks in 81 kicks - 14.8%.
This preseason he had 9 touchbacks in 19 kicks - 47%.

At that 47% rate he would have had 38 touchbacks last year.

And in case anyone is thinking it's a preseason thing, either due to a more rested leg or lesser returners, last year he had 1 touchback in 23 kickoffs in the preseason.

Not sure it will mean much once it gets colder, etc, but he sure was kicking the hell out of the ball in August.

(A) Gostkowski's kickoffs do, in fact, own. :rocker:
(B) If the Pats' return coverage gets better, look for that touchback figure to go up from 14.8%.

 

[Gunnails]

Didn't the NFL come out with a new ball last year for kicking, different from the every play ball.
I know college uses a different ball.

 

[Crowpointer]

Lost among the FG misses he had was the ridiculous kickoffs Gostkowski had this preseason.

Last year in the regular season he had 12 touchbacks in 81 kicks - 14.8%.
This preseason he had 9 touchbacks in 19 kicks - 47%.

At that 47% rate he would have had 38 touchbacks last year.

And in case anyone is thinking it's a preseason thing, either due to a more rested leg or lesser returners, last year he had 1 touchback in 23 kickoffs in the preseason.

Not sure it will mean much once it gets colder, etc, but he sure was kicking the hell out of the ball in August.

Great stat. I'm guessing based on that 4 touchbacks out 9 Gostowski kickoffs this Sunday.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Didn't the NFL come out with a new ball last year for kicking, different from the every play ball.
I know college uses a different ball.

Yes, it is ingeniusly called the "K" ball. Apparently some kickers were "doctoring" some balls, softer balls are easier to kick (insert off-color jokes here).

The Cowboy fans are actually blaming the K ball for Romo hishandling it (and thus costing the Pats a few slots in the draft) on that last second filed goal in the playoffs.