Punters, 4 weeks in

[patchick]

After 4 games, Ryan Allen ranks right in the middle of the league (16th-17th) for net average and % of punts downed inside the 20, and #1 in lowest % of punts returned (indicating excellent hang time).

Zoltan Mesko's ranks in those 3 key categories: #27 in net avg, #33 (dead last) in % inside the 20, #28 in return %.

With all due caveats about team differences:

Perhaps everybody shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion that this was just a cost-cutting move.

 

[MassPats38]

I'll admit I was worried about a return to the Ken Walter days after Allen's first appearance, but he has not been a liability through 4 games. Pretty good for a rookie.

I still was not happy with the Pats booting Mesko, but such is life on a BB team. He doesn't fall in love with his players. As fans, that issue can present a bit more of a challenge.

 

[InRodWeRust]

Well you have to consider the way the Steelers line up for punts; their formation isn't conducive to return stoppage . . and they have a slippery field that makes the ball slip into the endzone easier making it harder to pin the ball within the 20 . . . not to mention the wind dynamics in the stadium . . . .

Ok I got nothing. The move looks good so far.

 

[Gronkandez]

I kind of liked the move to the new guy but he hasn't been great from around the 50 yard line IMO. His kicks always seem to hit the 5 yard line and bounce into the end zone.

I do like how far he boots it though, esp in the dome last week.

 

[Oswlek]

After 4 games, Ryan Allen ranks right in the middle of the league (16th-17th) for net average and % of punts downed inside the 20, and #1 in lowest % of punts returned (indicating excellent hang time).

Zoltan Mesko's ranks in those 3 key categories: #27 in net avg, #33 (dead last) in % inside the 20, #28 in return %.

With all due caveats about team differences:

Perhaps everybody shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion that this was just a cost-cutting move.

Woah, woah, woah, woah, let's stop right there.

We all know Bill is an egomaniacal control freak whose combined arrogance and cheapness has cost NE countless superbowls in the past decade, driving off great players and avoiding obviously superb draft prospects solely because pride demands he do things his own way.

I see through the charade of your fancy-dancy numbers, Patchick. No need for passive aggressive attacks on the truth.

 

[Trycked]

Well you have to consider the way the Steelers line up for punts; their formation isn't conducive to return stoppage . . and they have a slippery field that makes the ball slip into the endzone easier making it harder to pin the ball within the 20 . . . not to mention the wind dynamics in the stadium . . . .

Also the bright glare of the empty yellow seats can cause havoc for punters.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I like Allen so far but I don't think it's fair to compare Zoltan's #'s in a stadium that is known for being hard on kickers to what Allen is doing here. If you check the yearly net avg rankings you'll see that Pittsburgh's punters have finished in the bottom 10 all but 2 years since 2005 (and one of those is a bottom 15). A more fair comparison IMO is comparing what Z did here to what Allen has done here. Z finished 24th, 14th, and 3rd in net yards in NE which puts him somewhere around where Allen is, a little higher but considering the savings yes I'll take it. So to this point I would say the move has been a win, but not because Allen is the superior punter.

I will say Allen's ceiling is higher as well.

 

[Joker]

Allen outkicked Zoltan in camp...and not by a little. This move never surprised me. The concerns involved were actual NFL game experience and as a holder. Mesko was popular among the fanbase fanatics and in the community.Tough P.R. move but........

 

[PatsDeb]

After 4 games, Ryan Allen ranks right in the middle of the league (16th-17th) for net average and % of punts downed inside the 20, and #1 in lowest % of punts returned (indicating excellent hang time).

Zoltan Mesko's ranks in those 3 key categories: #27 in net avg, #33 (dead last) in % inside the 20, #28 in return %.

With all due caveats about team differences:

Perhaps everybody shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion that this was just a cost-cutting move.

Gotta admit the new kid is just fine...

 

[Deus Irae]

Mesko's only had 20 punts, and Allen's only had 22. It's way too early to be making this comparison.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Gotta admit the new kid is just fine...

There's a reason he was a 2 time Ray Guy Award Winner.

 

[patchick]

I kind of liked the move to the new guy but he hasn't been great from around the 50 yard line IMO. His kicks always seem to hit the 5 yard line and bounce into the end zone.

Wouldn't that mean Allen's doing his part of the job?

You know what they say, "he can't punt the ball AND down the ball."

 

[Songin]

After 4 games, Ryan Allen ranks right in the middle of the league (16th-17th) for net average and % of punts downed inside the 20, and #1 in lowest % of punts returned (indicating excellent hang time).

Zoltan Mesko's ranks in those 3 key categories: #27 in net avg, #33 (dead last) in % inside the 20, #28 in return %.

With all due caveats about team differences:

Perhaps everybody shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion that this was just a cost-cutting move.

However the fact remains patchick that Allen didn't exactly blow Mesko away during training camp. Mesko imho never really lived up to the 'big leg' hype he had coming out of Michigan let alone his healthy (for a punter) contract.

That said, Allen's a 2-time Ray Guy Award winner who has a big leg (even though he isn't the quickest getting it off) and his "lefty spin" may be an trickier issue for returners esp. come the cold, windy days of December.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

However the fact remains patchick that Allen didn't exactly blow Mesko away during training camp. Mesko imho never really lived up to the 'big leg' hype he had coming out of Michigan let alone his healthy (for a punter) contract.

That said, Allen's a 2-time Ray Guy Award winner who has a big leg (even though he isn't the quickest getting it off) and his "lefty spin" may be an trickier issue for returners esp. come the cold, windy days of December.

The only part that gave him a "healthy contract" was that he hit (unspecified) escalators in his contract that raised his salary to (approximately) the RFA tender amount; the last three years he made about $1.3M total.

And, BTW, pretty much EVERY punter BB brings in is a lefty.

 

[Gronkandez]

Wouldn't that mean Allen's doing his part of the job?

You know what they say, "he can't punt the ball AND down the ball."

The gunners can't down it if it bounces straight into the EZ. It needs to bounce straight up, sideways or backwards like a chip shot in golf.

 

[Songin]

The only part that gave him a "healthy contract" was that he hit (unspecified) escalators in his contract that raised his salary to (approximately) the RFA tender amount; the last three years he made about $1.3M total.

And, BTW, pretty much EVERY punter BB brings in is a lefty.

And BTW, I'm quite aware of the 'southpaw' tradition (Lee Johnson, Ken Walter, Josh Miller, Chris Hanson, Mesko) and why I mentioned it in the first place.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Mesko's only had 20 punts, and Allen's only had 22. It's way too early to be making this comparison.

I agree. Yet while the issue isn't decided, 4 games in isn't exactly no sample size at all. Plus, given this is a fan board, a 4 game sample is 400% greater than the typical sample size.

 

[supafly]

As I mentioned in another thread, there was a big concern about Allen's ability as a holder on FG's. This seems to be working out quite nicely as Gost himself has made reference to Allen digging a couple of balls out of the dirt.

So far, so good in that area.

 

[wizwor]

I still was not happy with the Pats booting Mesko, but such is life on a BB team. He doesn't fall in love with his players. As fans, that issue can present a bit more of a challenge.

Who falls in love with a punter?

 

[DarrylS]

Only on this message board, and only on this team can there be so much fascination with comparative stats of punters...

Allen is fine... and will only get better.