Kicking Game

[ndfantp]

Everyone knows that the outcome of many games rest with the kicker; however, as well all know last year was not a shining star for our kicking unit. Here's an article I found about Brandon Walker's kicking. A similar article was also published today in the Observer.


Scout.com: A Newfound Confidence


At the tail end of Saturday’s practice, the field goal unit trotted out with Brandon Walker lined up at kicker. The snap, the hold, the kick goes wide right. Not to worry, though, Walker’s been making a lot more than he’s been missing this spring.


So what does everyone expect to see this year out of our kicking team/ special teams in general? Especially after Weis's visit to VT.

 

[Junkhead]

I read somewhere that Nate Whittaker walked OFF the team, as he was probably even behind
Ryan Burkhart. Hopefully one of the two kickers can not suck this year.

 

[Steve]

i think bwalk is gonna hold it down this season.

i talked to him online once so he has to lol

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Thats really an aspect we MUST improve upon. Part of the reason we lost to Navy was because Charlie had no confidence in our kicking game.

 

[ndfantp]

Thats really an aspect we MUST improve upon. Part of the reason we lost to Navy was because Charlie had no confidence in our kicking game.

And rightfully so. I loved how everyone criticized Charlie for not kicking the ball, yet he was justified in his decision. Two weeks later when we missed a 25 yarder I turned to everyone in the stands and gave them that I told you so look. It never felt so good to miss a field goal.

 

[goldandblue]

you would think that after the patriots had their asses saved so many times by vinatieri (sp?) that Charlie would have been on the prowl to get a big time kicker.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

And rightfully so. I loved how everyone criticized Charlie for not kicking the ball, yet he was justified in his decision. Two weeks later when we missed a 25 yarder I turned to everyone in the stands and gave them that I told you so look. It never felt so good to miss a field goal.

Exactly.

 

[Timugen]

Somebody needs to go recruit Reggie Ho's kid. Either that or doctor Reggie's birth certificate and SSN and re-admit him.

 

[irish4ever]

Not only FG's; they need to do a much better job on kickoffs also. Need more consistency where the kick returner gets the ball inside or right at the goal line (with a little hand time). There were way too many times where the opposing kick returner caught the ball pretty much on a dead run around the 15 yd. line!

 

[mbooch]

Not only FG's; they need to do a much better job on kickoffs also. Need more consistency where the kick returner gets the ball inside or right at the goal line (with a little hand time). There were way too many times where the opposing kick returner caught the ball pretty much on a dead run around the 15 yd. line!

AMEN ! Obviously, looking for what went wrong in 2007 is like shooting fish in a barrel. Just the same, at some point, the weak kicking game HAS to be improved, or ND will NOT return to real greatness. It's LIKE free throw shooting (MEMPHIS). You can win a lot of games, and even look really impresive at times, but, when you get to the TOP level of competition, and can't kick a 45 yarder, or can't land a kickoff inside the 10, you are PROBABLY going to lose.

Last year, ND wasn't good to go on a FG of longer than 30 yards. MOST top notch teams feel scure up to 45. That means that the absence of a good kicker requires one extra first down per ND drive, and the lack of stregth on kick-offs usually spots the opponents to the equivalent of one first down.

That's a TWO first down swing every exchange. It's EASY to lose games like that.

 

[GeTnAsTy]

I love having a great, completely confident feeling when seeing the kicker run out on the field. Last year, not so much.. *sigh*

 

[kicker20]

Reply on kickers

Reply on kickers

AMEN ! Obviously, looking for what went wrong in 2007 is like shooting fish in a barrel. Just the same, at some point, the weak kicking game HAS to be improved, or ND will NOT return to real greatness. It's LIKE free throw shooting (MEMPHIS). You can win a lot of games, and even look really impresive at times, but, when you get to the TOP level of competition, and can't kick a 45 yarder, or can't land a kickoff inside the 10, you are PROBABLY going to lose.

Last year, ND wasn't good to go on a FG of longer than 30 yards. MOST top notch teams feel scure up to 45. That means that the absence of a good kicker requires one extra first down per ND drive, and the lack of stregth on kick-offs usually spots the opponents to the equivalent of one first down.

That's a TWO first down swing every exchange. It's EASY to lose games like that.

While I agree with the point that you made about the lack of distance on kickoffs, I think there are a few variables that come into mind. First,we were only 1 of 5 teams not to have a touchback in 1997. This stat has an effect on the defensive play calling when the other team is getting the ball atthe 35-40yd line. Also, it affects the morall on the players on kickoff coverage teams. It also diminishes the confidence of the young kicker. Another problem that I have seen effect the kickers, is that the coaches lose there confidence in the kickers to soon and they end up benching the kicker, rather than allowing him to work through his mistakes. If the coaches took this approach, they wouldn.t have 3 kickers on scholarship, and the Notre Dame special teams would be greatly improved.
Goirish kk #20

 

[Irishlew]

While I agree with the point that you made about the lack of distance on kickoffs, I think there are a few variables that come into mind. First,we were only 1 of 5 teams not to have a touchback. This stat has an effect on the defensive play calling. Also, it affects the morall on the players on kickoff return. It alsodiminishes thge confidence of the young kicker. Another problem that I have seen seen effect the kickers, is that the coaches lose there confidence in the kickers and they end up benching the kicke, rather then allowing him to work through his mistakes. If the coaches took this approach, they wouldn.t have 3 kickers on scholarship, and the Notre Dame special teams would be greatly improved.
Goirish kk #20

maybe you can repeat that In English next time?

 

[irishmarine]

pretty much we need a kicker who can boot it through the endzone on kickoffs and through the uprights on fg. not to mention a kicker so we dont have to have three schollys on kickers. is that about right

 

[KamaraPolice]

Walker, however, wanted to make it clear that the stereotype that kickers are solitary creatures is completely untrue.

“We’re not all that weird,” he said. “We are normal people, we have feelings too.

“I’m friends with linebackers, I’m friends with quarterbacks, receivers. I mean, it’s not like we have a poker night with just kickers.”

Gave me a chuckle.

 

[KamaraPolice]

While I agree with the point that you made about the lack of distance on kickoffs, I think there are a few variables that come into mind. First,we were only 1 of 5 teams not to have a touchback. This stat has an effect on the defensive play calling. Also, it affects the morall on the players on kickoff return. It alsodiminishes thge confidence of the young kicker. Another problem that I have seen seen effect the kickers, is that the coaches lose there confidence in the kickers and they end up benching the kicke, rather then allowing him to work through his mistakes. If the coaches took this approach, they wouldn.t have 3 kickers on scholarship, and the Notre Dame special teams would be greatly improved.
Goirish kk #20

Welcome to IE! I agree, you make some valid points.

 

[CurtisCandy]

I just hope this year I don't get that nauseous, sick feeling of dread every time a kicking situation comes up.

Actually, as unfortunate as it is, I had that sick feeling of dread a lot last year... Even when the kicking team wasn't on the field.

Here's to '08, Ladies and Gentlemen - I truly believe our sick stomachs are now behind us!*



*Figuratively speaking, of course.

 

[kicker20]

maybe you can repeat that In English next time?

Sticks and stones , I thought yoy would shos a little more rrespect for a former notre dame Football Player. And thespell check is broken

 

[ndfantp]

Sticks and stones , I thought yoy would shos a little more rrespect for a former notre dame Football Player. And thespell check is broken

Spell check or no spell check, your spelling is atrocious. If you were the kicker between 1995 and 1999 then your name is Jim Sanson. Read this article and see if it brings back memories...hopefully bad memories, because I sure remember having a lot of bad memories regarding kicks during that time period.



Observer Newspaper - Sports

 

[kicker20]

Spell check or no spell check, your spelling is atrocious. If you were the kicker between 1995 and 1999 then your name is Jim Sanson. Read this article and see if it brings back memories...hopefully bad memories, because I sure remember having a lot of bad memories regarding kicks during that time period.



Hello, sorry about the spell check issues. While I am not Jimmy Sanson, I am Kevin Kopka who played in every game in 1995, I had a severe knee surgery in 1996 and the rest they say is blah, blah, blah. While I was far from being an All- American as a freshman. I will forever be privileged and grateful to play for this great school.

 

[JeremyND07]

I just hope this year I don't get that nauseous, sick feeling of dread every time a kicking situation comes up.

Actually, as unfortunate as it is, I had that sick feeling of dread a lot last year... Even when the kicking team wasn't on the field.

Here's to '08, Ladies and Gentlemen - I truly believe our sick stomachs are now behind us!*



*Figuratively speaking, of course.

I agree! I will enjoy the day when I do not have to cover my head or leave the room during FG's!!! It has been that way for years...

I do not understand how a team like OSU has a solid kicker EVERY year but ND cannot get one. If you cannot kick the ball out of the end zone on a kick off you should be cut, period!!! Is there a stud soccer kid on scholie we can use for this position. Charlie is a GREAT recruiter but why has he not found a kicker yet?

 

[kicker20]

While I agree with the point that you made about the lack of distance on kickoffs, I think there are a few variables that come into mind. First,we were only 1 of 5 teams not to have a touch back in 1997. This stat has an effect on the defensive play calling when the other team is getting the ball at the 35-40yd line. Also, it affects the morale on the players on kickoff coverage teams. It also diminishes the confidence of the young kicker. Another problem that I have seen effect the kickers, is that the coaches lose there confidence in the kickers to soon and they end up benching the kicker, rather than allowing him to work through his mistakes. If the coaches took this approach, they wouldn't.t have 3 kickers on scholarship, and the Notre Dame special teams would be greatly improved.
Go irish kk #20

I hope this brand of English is OK. Being a former kicker at Notre Dame from 1995-99. I know as well as anyone how the kickers and the coaches feel, The point I was making about the defense coaches getting upset, because the defense will be more productive if they make the offense go 80yds vs. 60yds. Like a freshman QB needs time to grow and mature, the same is for a true freshman kicker

 

[kicker20]

maybe you can repeat that In English next time?

Thank you for the mature comment. If you re-read the post, I hope the corrections clear up my point of view.
Kevin Kopka

 

[IrishAlum1997]

KK,

Is it true that Sanson outlined his foot on a wall and signed it at a party after kicking the game-winner against Texas in '96?

 

[NDMontana]

I hope this brand of English is OK. Being a former kicker at Notre Dame from 1995-99. I know as well as anyone how the kickers and the coaches feel, The point I was making about the defense coaches getting upset, because the defense will be more productive if they make the offense go 80yds vs. 60yds. Like a freshman QB needs time to grow and mature, the same is for a true freshman kicker

Notre Dame places high priority on academics; students must meet rigorous qualifications to gain entrance to the University. A quick look at your word usage, ie. there when their is the appropriate word, tells me that you're full of shite.