Ryan Allen replacing Zoltan Mesko: unpopular, but so far the right move

[ctpatsfan77]

Given the performance he had today, I wanted to take a closer look at the numbers.

So I looked at all of Allen and Mesko's punts for the year. I didn't consider returns (yes, I understand it matters, but that's not all on the punter), or penalties; I also excluded the roughing the kicker penalty that Mesko drew.

Just for the record, here are the overall stats:

Mesko (20 punts):
Average distance from end zone: 70.9 yards
Average punt: 41.9 yards
Average "final" position: 29.0 yards (0 touchbacks)

Allen (30 punts):
Average distance from end zone: 62.9 yards
Average punt: 44.7 yards
Average "final" position: 20.9 yards (including 4 touchbacks)

So, despite punting from about 8 yards closer in, Allen is averaging about 3 yards more per punt.

Oh, and just for kicks, I decided to look at Andy Lee, too (27 punts).
Average distance from end zone: 67.2 yards
Average punt: 48.7 yards
Average "final" position: 20.8 yards (including 3 touchbacks)

In other words, the extra yardage on his kicks doesn't actually produce a net benefit for the 49ers. [To be fair to Lee, though, he gets his long kicks closer to the end zone than Allen does, but SF's special teams allow more return yards than the Patriots do.]

 

[Fencer]

So Allen's punts start about 8 yards closer in than Mesko's, and end about 8 yards closer in?

And you aren't considering returns, but are considering final position?

 

[DarrylS]

The eyeball test tells me that Allen is fine, and holds the ball well for Gostowski... couple of nice punts yesterday.

With all of the offensive issues on this team, punter is about 53rd in area of concerns...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

So Allen's punts start about 8 yards closer in than Mesko's, and end about 8 yards closer in?

And you aren't considering returns, but are considering final position?

(A) Yes, but only because of the sheer number of shorter kicks Allen has (15 from 60 yards or shorter, v. 5 for Mesko), and the fact that Mesko has been lucky enough not to get any touchbacks.

(B) I should be clearer, since "final position" is probably a bit more confusing than I'd like.

Basically, it's gross yardage – adjustments for touchbacks.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

The eyeball test tells me that Allen is fine

Yeah, stats are fine but I don't need them to tell me what I see. We have a good, young punter for several years wheras Zoltan was to be a UFA after this year.

 

[vyrago]

For me it has little to do with ability--but that name ZOLTAN, that probably adds 5 yards all by itself.

 

[Gronkandez]

We had this exact same thread last week. I don't realy care what the numbers say, I just know he is passing the eye test and that's all that really matters. We know Allen has the leg but I was really enocouraged that he pinned the Bengals late in the game. That was huge.

Still can't believe the Bengals converted that 3rd and 15 from their own one. The pass gave me falshbacks to the Manningham pass in the SB. Just too easy.

 

[PatsDeb]

Agreed. Someone posted a similar thread last week, but yesterday the kid was even better. Had those punts that touch down inside the 10 or the 20 and spin backwards away from the endzone at least three times.

 

[Claremonster]

For me it has little to do with ability--but that name ZOLTAN, that probably adds 5 yards all by itself.

He opens the sky...

FFDP The way of the fist w/lyrics - YouTube

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Still can't believe the Bengals converted that 3rd and 15 from their own one. The pass gave me falshbacks to the Manningham pass in the SB. Just too easy.

I'm fairly sure the Pats did NOT press gang Allen onto the field for that play.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Ryan Allen was the right call for us. It appeared that he was chosen purely based on money, but I think he might have really beaten Mesko flat out during camp and reporters and preseason did not properly show what he was doing at practice.
Mesko's trait was never to **** up. Allen gives us room. He pins opponents when we need much needed room.
Going forward, he will be an asset.

 

[Nikolai]

The eyeball test tells me that Allen is fine, and holds the ball well for Gostowski... couple of nice punts yesterday.

With all of the offensive issues on this team, punter is about 53rd in area of concerns...

Actually, with all the offensive issues, you need a good punter to help with field position.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Actually, with all the offensive issues, you need a good punter to help with field position.

I believe what he meant is "I really don't think there's an issue with the punter who's on the team right now," not "The punter is not important."

 

[patchick]

The best part is that Ryan IS a rookie, and shows signs of steady development. The past couple of games have been pretty much punting perfection, in both kinds of situations: sticking them inside the 20 last week, and flat-out booming it this week.

Meanwhile the Space Emperor, alas, ranks down at the bottom of the league in both gross yardage and punts downed inside the 20, suggesting struggles in both areas.

 

[groganbootleg]

I was not a big fan of this move, but I was totally wrong. He did a great job again yesterday.

 

[pats4life12]

I still think Mesko would of been the better punter, but Allan has definitley gotten alot better as the season has gone on, he came put some very good back spin on the ball though.

 

[Bella*chick]

Also the right move: not bringing in competition for Gostkowski, who has been amazing this year.

Hey, all the wrong moves are picked apart endlessly on this board, we need to be sure to acknowledge all the right ones too.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

Also the right move: not bringing in competition for Gostkowski, who has been amazing this year.

Hey, all the wrong moves are picked apart endlessly on this board, we need to be sure to acknowledge all the right ones too.

Actually they did bring in competition for Gostkowski which I believe was the right move.
They signed David Ruffer out of Notre Dame.


"The Patriots signed wide receiver Mark Harrison, who — Gasp! — is a Rutgers graduate, and kicker David Ruffer from Notre Dame to fill out their 90-man roster. He is likely in camp to push incumbent kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who struggled at times in 2012."


http://nesn.com/2013/05/patriots-si...me-kicker-to-compete-with-stephen-gostkowski/

 

[patchick]

Hey, all the wrong moves are picked apart endlessly on this board, we need to be sure to acknowledge all the right ones too.

No question -- successful decisions are too often taken for granted.

(Remember how Duron Harmon was a total WTH draft pick who had everybody screaming "not AGAIN!"? But now, as Harmon develops nicely, we still get thread after thread whining about Tavon Wilson...while the equally "inexcusable" pick of Harmon is quietly forgotten.)

 

[Bella*chick]

Actually they did bring in competition for Gostkowski which I believe was the right move.
They signed David Ruffer out of Notre Dame.


"The Patriots signed wide receiver Mark Harrison, who — Gasp! — is a Rutgers graduate, and kicker David Ruffer from Notre Dame to fill out their 90-man roster. He is likely in camp to push incumbent kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who struggled at times in 2012."


Patriots Sign Yet Another Rutgers Player, Add Former Notre Dame Kicker to Compete With Stephen Gostkowski | New England Patriots | NESN.com

Hey, I didn't know that! Thanks for the link. I guess it worked because Ghost has been on fire.