Punters, 4 weeks in

[MassPats38]

Who falls in love with a punter?

Anyone who was a fan long enough to watch a bad punter shank the ball 18 yards out of bounds at midfield, and do so with some regularity (Ken Walter is one of a few bad punters the Pats employed). Mesko is also a character, who worked hard for the community. After his release, plenty of people here were unhappy with the move.

If the offense isn't clicking, then you tend to need them competent. Good punters can bail a team out. They tend not to help the fantasy football stats, but in a real game they can be important.

 

[Oswlek]

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

A quarter of the season is too early to even broach the subject? If that is the case, then this site should only be open from November to February every year. :confused2:

 

[nabwong]

but but but but Don't mess with the Ryan is not as badass as Don't mess with the Zoltan.

In all seriousness, I will miss Zoltan. I remember that Baltimore game a few years back where is won the game for us in overtime by changing field positions. That was awesome. But welcome to New England Ryan Allen!

 

[Deus Irae]

A quarter of the season is too early to even broach the subject? If that is the case, then this site should only be open from November to February every year. :confused2:

It's basically 20 punts. Do you also form your analysis of every QB after 20 throws?

 

[Oswlek]

It's basically 20 punts. Do you also form your analysis of every QB after 20 throws?

You form an opinion - which doesn't have to be scientific analysis every time - based on the data you have. And you are smart enough to recognize the difference between a punter's workload and a QB's.

Again, if a quarter of a season is not enough data to even broach a subject, then we must cease all discussion on this forum entirely until we meet the necessary quota.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Who falls in love with a punter?

IIRC, the post-draft presser with Mesko was the longest of any Patriot drafted in 2010. ["OMG, we can haz real punter?"]

 

[patchick]

You form an opinion - which doesn't have to be scientific analysis every time - based on the data you have. And you are smart enough to recognize the difference between a punter's workload and a QB's.

Again, if a quarter of a season is not enough data to even broach a subject, then we must cease all discussion on this forum entirely until we meet the necessary quota.

Imagine how quiet this board would be if we didn't talk about Dobson & Thompkins' performance after 4 games!

So yeah, a thread titled "Punters, 4 weeks in" is only about 4 weeks. But Allen is off to a very good start for a rookie punter -- especially when you look at situational results as opposed to pure yardage, and when you factor in that he's been holding for a PK who is 11 for 12 on field goals.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

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.

I've evolved from "WTF" over the Mesko/Allen shift to "Wait and see." Wait and see probably means waiting and seeing how it goes in crunch time in December and January.

For now, middle of the pack in punts downed inside the 20 is better than "dead last," but the Pats will need better in close games if they're going to give their D a chance to make some plays to help the revamping Offense.

But, an "OK so far" to Ryan Allen.

 

[captain stone]

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."

True, but he can punt the ball And coffin-corner the ball.

 

[PatsSox363804]

Who falls in love with a punter?

Giants fans should love theirs after his performance in the Superbowl.