Crimson Red Sports

I'd like to see some in-depth discussion about the kicking game for this season..we all know there is likely to be a game, somewhere around mid-season, where the kicking game might mean a win vs. a loss.

punting? who, what, how?

field goals, long range...????????
field goals short range....??????

PAT's.....????????

I realize practice has only begun, but surely the staff has been working hard with this important part of the game.

The biggest problem that I see in special teams are is the punters, hopefully something has changed since the Spring.

I don't see that big of a problem with the field goal unit. They have a strong leg for the longer ones, Cade Foster, and it wouldn't surprise me if he sets a new school record this year. Unless there are some mental lapses there shouldn't be a problem with the shorter fgs and xpoints.

I agree with Jamos that if we have a weakness in the kicking game it will be the punters. Cody Mandell punted last year as a freshman. You would think he will improve his average and hang time in his second year. RS freshman Jay Williams could win the job. He came to Bama with the reputation of a big leg.

I think our field goal kicking is in good shape. J. Shelly was very accurate from 30 yards in. C. Foster should be better as the long FG kicker and kick offs in his second year. I would like to see more consistant long and high kick offs that help out our cover unit. Kicking into the endzone would be nice.

I am not concerned about our return units at all. I expect this to be a strength.

We cover punts well, not concerned there. Kick off coverage gives up too many big returns. I hope to see improvement in that area.

I do not expect our kicking game to be a weakness. I pointed out in another thread that Rivals rated the Bama special teams as 3rd best in the SEC.

Good idea to give this aspect of the game a topic of its own.  There have been tidbits of this conversation sprinkled through out other topics since spring practice.

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