So What Is Wrong With Our Kickoffs?

[IcyPatriot]

We have gotten worse instead of better ... almost impossible to diagnose watching on TV. So ... to the fans who get to the games ... what is the problem?

I think our gunners suck .... IMO ... but it's hard to watch on TV.

 

[SaCaCh]

Well we really have only had a few issues with the punting game and that you can chalk up to inconsitent punting by the many punters and injuries we have had. Kickoffs have been fine, unless you include today, but the crappy field led to each team running kicks all over the place.

 

[DaBruinz]

One of the problems on kick-offs is our best wedge breaker isn't on the field in Mike Wright. And he's not out there because they don't want him to get hurt while he is the starting NT.

Besides that, I think that you can't judge it based on today.

The Punt coverage has actually been 10 times worse than the kick-off coverage.

 

[Deus Irae]

We're also looking at a rookie kicker who may have hit a bit of a wall.

 

[IcyPatriot]

One of the problems on kick-offs is our best wedge breaker isn't on the field in Mike Wright. And he's not out there because they don't want him to get hurt while he is the starting NT.

Now that makes huge sense ... really huge .... thanks.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

We're also looking at a rookie kicker who may have hit a bit of a wall.

Ummm. . . . Not likely. If Gostkowski isn't trying to kick it deep into the end zone, it's often because he's been instructed to kick it the way he does (e.g., in the MIN game, when he was purposely trying to keep it away from Bethel Johnson).

 

[hwc]

I think the kick coverage teams were toast on that field. No prayer of reacting to a cut. Both teams were really struggling.

 

[Kasmir]

Gost had a really inconsistent day today, kicking 75, 49, 65, 55, 71, 52, 37, and 40 yards on kickoffs. Hard to believe that was all planned and must have caused problems for the coverage teams.

But going into today our kickoff game was the best it's been by far in the Belichick era:

Kickoff DPAR
2006 8.4 (15 games)
2005 0.4
2004 (1.5)
2003 4.8
2002 5.4
2001 (7.4)
2000 (0.5)

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamst.php

The kickoff game may had had negative DPAR against Tenn, we'll need to see the final stats.

Vinatieri was never much good at kickoffs, and has declined the last few years. This year Indy's kickoff game was -14.6 (31st ranked) going into the last game, i.e. they've lost two touchdown's worth of value on kickoffs. Hard to know whether to blame Adam for all of that, as he missed some games with injuries.

Gost has been been at or below average on FG/XP (15th ranked) even going into the Tenn game, although total DPAR for FG/XP + Kickoffs was up year to year and higher than for any years except 2004 and 2002.

If there's any interest, I can post a complete analysis after the final stats are compiled, but Gost hurt himself with this game.

We know going into the playoffs with an inconsistent rookie kicker with a very strong leg. The strong kickoffs have so far compensated for the weak place kicking, but there's plenty of reason for nervousness.

 

[Kasmir]

What the hell is a DPAR?

Dumb People At Risk?

Definitely.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/methods.php

Do you read anything anyone else writes?

Welcome back.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ummm. . . . Not likely. If Gostkowski isn't trying to kick it deep into the end zone, it's often because he's been instructed to kick it the way he does (e.g., in the MIN game, when he was purposely trying to keep it away from Bethel Johnson).

The most likely scenerio, note the two shortest kicks came near the end.

 

[unoriginal]

There are but three things that can go wrong on coverage teams, and that's speed, lane responsibility, and tackling. Lane responsibility was bad all day, not just on kickoffs, but punts as well. Pacman's punt return was distinguished by him running around a cloud of Patriots who had all converged on a spot five yards in front of where he fielded the ball.

Too much turnover on special teams against too good a returner on a field not made for speed = lackluster coverage.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

There are but three things that can go wrong on coverage teams, and that's speed, lane responsibility, and tackling. Lane responsibility was bad all day, not just on kickoffs, but punts as well. Pacman's punt return was distinguished by him running around a cloud of Patriots who had all converged on a spot five yards in front of where he fielded the ball.

Too much turnover on special teams against too good a returner on a field not made for speed = lackluster coverage.

Fortunately BB's visit with Saurbrun suggests the coverage and kicks truly weren't coordinated.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gost had a really inconsistent day today, kicking 75, 49, 65, 55, 71, 52, 37, and 40 yards on kickoffs. Hard to believe that was all planned and must have caused problems for the coverage teams.

It wasn't planned for in advance, but the later kicks were almost certainly planned. [Also, the field was in s****y condition all day, which doesn't help matters.]

Gost has been been at or below average on FG/XP (15th ranked) even going into the Tenn game, although total DPAR for FG/XP + Kickoffs was up year to year and higher than for any years except 2004 and 2002.

We know going into the playoffs with an inconsistent rookie kicker with a very strong leg. The strong kickoffs have so far compensated for the weak place kicking, but there's plenty of reason for nervousness.

I think "inconsistent" is being a bit unfair: most of his problems, such as they've been, have been things over which he doesn't have ultimate control (e.g., blocked kicks, sandbox fields). In fact, Gostkowski finished the season 20 for 26 (76.9%); all opposing kickers combined went 22 for 30 (73.3%).

 

[SoonerPatriot]

I don't think we played particulary well on special teams and Pac Man Jones is exceptional as a returner.

 

[rabthepat]

It seem to me that our special teams played with fear. It was like they thought they were playeing against Dante Hall and he was on speed. Everyone was chicken footing it.

 

[dhamz]

The main thing yesterday was it was impossible to cover kicks on that field. When the returner made any cuts the coverage guys simply couldn't change direction quick enough to make a play. No one could do it.

It wasn't a coincidence that on the day we couldn't stop Jones that Hobbs averaged about 30 yards on KR and Chad Jackson averaged 35 yards per punt return.