Penn State Position Previews 2011: Kickers and Punters
by Tim Aydin on Aug 24, 2011 8:00 AM EDT
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From a pure mental perspective, no position in football is more delicate than that of a kicker or punter. Sure, it may not require the typical grunt work that linemen, linebackers, or skill position players go through. But the amount of pressure on a kicker or punter to be perfect is rivaled only by that of the starting quarterback. It's the reason why after the starting QB, it is the highest recipient of scornful comments in Message Board Land (which reminds me, let's just go ahead and get the Ace Ventura references out of our system: DIE DAN, LACES OUT, THAT'S NOT SNOWFLAKE, FINKLE IS EINHORN, EINHORN IS FINKLE, I HAVE..EXORCIIIISED THE DEMONS).
Penn State's most recently departed kicker, Collin Wagner, was the recipient of such scorn back in 2009 when he proved to be a rather shaky and inconsistent kicker following in the footsteps of four-year starter (and all-time Big Ten scoring leader) Kevin Kelly. Wagner did, however, redeem himself by going a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals in the 2010 Capital One Bowl on a field that was likely used for mud wrestling the night before. That performance set the tone for a solid 2010 season overall which began with Wagner successfully nailing all three of his field goal attempts from 40+ yards out in the season opener against Youngstown State (which were sorely needed while Rob Bolden tried to discover his groove).
Wagner's departure, along with last year's punting/kickoff extraordinaire Anthony Fera being in JoePa's dreaded doghouse, has left gaping holes in the kicking game that are in dire need of major patch-up work. And who will help fill in the holes? Find out, after the jump...
Projected Starters
Sam Ficken - Freshman - Kicker
2010 (high school) Stats:
- 10-for-17 on Field Goals (long of 52 yards)
- A perfect 38-of-38 on Extra Points
- 1,001 yards punting (long of 53 yards)
2010 Stats:
- 38.1 punting yard average
- Longest punt: 50 yards
Would Be Starting If He Weren't In JoePa's Doghouse
Anthony Fera - Redshirt Sophomore - Kicker/Punter
2010 Stats:
- 41.4 punting yard average
- Longest punt: 74 yards
- 9 punts of 50+ yards
- 19 touchbacks on 49 kickoffs
If This Had Been an Actual Emergency, The Sound You Just Heard Would Have Been Followed by This Guy Handling Kicking Duties
Evan Lewis - Redshirt Junior - Kicker/Wide Receiver
2010 Stats:
- Saw action in the Youngstown State and Kent State games at receiver
- Portrayed Denard Robinson during practice the week of the Michigan game, dreadlocks included. It worked.
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Ace Ventura got only 2 starts on the channel guide
W… T… F…
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make. - Michael Weinreb"
It's that Dan Marino's fault
Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell…Would you like a cookie, son?
@happyhourvalley
Black Shoe Diaries
It's not cheating when you do it on the Kiss-Cam.
Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell
Also known as the last three quarters of the ’81 Penn State — Pitt game
"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.
by ckmneon on Aug 24, 2011 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
The greatest tragedy of Ace Ventura...
…is that one of the funniest phrases in the movie, “should die of gonorrhea”, is dubbed over when TBS, TNT, etc. show it on TV.
Marge: "Oh Homer. You're only hearing what you want to hear."
Homer: "Thanks! I'd love an omelette right about now."
by LowcountryLion on Aug 24, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Kind of like the toilet scene in Dumb & Dumber
For the longest time, TBS used to edit that part out. They finally wisened up and now show the longest dump in movie history in its entirety. Bravo, TBS.
@happyhourvalley
Black Shoe Diaries
It's not cheating when you do it on the Kiss-Cam.
Exactly!!!
Good pull! Dumb and Dumber is one of my favs, but I can’t watch it on broadcast TV because they needlessly gut the movie.
Marge: "Oh Homer. You're only hearing what you want to hear."
Homer: "Thanks! I'd love an omelette right about now."
by LowcountryLion on Aug 24, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll still watch it on any channel
Just because it’s Dumb & Dumber. But you’re right, it’s not quite the same on a broadcast network.
@happyhourvalley
Black Shoe Diaries
It's not cheating when you do it on the Kiss-Cam.
What do you know about Ray Finkle?
Soccer style kicker, graduated from Collier High, June 1976, Stetson University Honors graduate, Class of 1980. Holds two NCAA Division One records, one for most points in a seaso,n one for distance. Former nicknamed “The Mule”, only pro athlete ever to come out of Collier County and one ’ell of a model American.
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
Yeah he did!
graduated from Collier High
Oh, wrong spelling. Damn.
It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne
by Adam Collyer on Aug 24, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it would read more like: One HELLLL of a model American!
@happyhourvalley
Black Shoe Diaries
It's not cheating when you do it on the Kiss-Cam.
I'm already having trouble
with Ficken and Fickell and now you have to bring back Finkle. &#%$^@* Try to say “Ficken Fickell Finkle” ten times fast….
"It just might be that the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others." Despair.com
by RWReese on Aug 24, 2011 8:52 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
There's no doubt in my mind this position will be worse, even if Fera wasn't a shot of cheap rum away from losing his scholarship.
I’m just hoping we don’t actually need them as much.
It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne
I voted Same out of pity.
The kicking game will not be our strong suit, unless the Kickin’ Ficken can show something immediately and any number of punters-not-named-Anthony-Fera can learn how to kick an oblong ball far.
___
Black Shoe Diaries
SBN - Pittsburgh
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on Aug 24, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
funny kicker story
after a PSU game my friends and I were sitting right next to the tunnel and players were tossing their sweatbands, gloves, etc up to the crowd. My friend excitedly grabbed a sweatband and was asking those around him who threw it. Someone told him it was from the kicker, to which he responded “Awwwww, the kicker? Who cares about the kicker?” and gave it to one of my female friends.
That kicker? Robbie Gould.
I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
Follow @134Lounge
Kid drove me crazy in college.
He was also kind of a jerk during the few times I met him.
But I’ve had him on my fantasy team for the last 4 years or so.
It ain't safe in the city, watch the throne
by Adam Collyer on Aug 24, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
surprisingly
looking at his wiki page, he’s #2 on the list of most accurate NFL kickers. Didn’t know that. Of course, he may be the one who edited that in as well.
I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
Follow @134Lounge
by skarocksoi on Aug 24, 2011 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Met him at Lion's Den
Complete Dbag and it makes me cringe seeing him making field goals in the pros. I just keep remembering him missing when we needed it most. I guess it helps having a training camp with Adam Vinatieri.
played soccer against him in high school
cheap, cheap, cheap. always looking to get in that little bit o’ dirty.
"They stalk their prey to within two or three great leaps and then launch a lightning-fast charge, striking their prey. Victims are most often killed by suffocation with a prolonged bite..."--Hinterland Who's Who
Funnier yet.....
During the infamous 6-4 game, Robbie couldn’t make a FG if he were allowed to drop it over the bar AND he later goes on to a Rookie of the Year, All-Pro career at Da Bears….I was really in shock when that happened. He claimed it was a mechanics problem that the staff at Chicago remedied.
"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." The Government is like the Mob, you can check out, but never leave.
by DerryPharmer on Aug 24, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Missing an 18-yard field goal isn't easily blamed on mechanics.
Or a 23-yarder, either.
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make. - Michael Weinreb"
by Mike Pettigano on Aug 24, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Gould can kick it hard and straight
which is all that’s necessary in the NFL, what with the obnoxiously narrow hash marks. In college, you need to be able to kick with accuracy from the hashes, something Gould struggled with.
The best contrast with Gould I can think of is former OSU (and current Bengals) kicker Mike Nugent. Insanely accurate on difficult-but-not-all-that-long kicks, but doesn’t have the world’s greatest leg.
"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.
Seems kind of laughable
that you have to be a better all around kicker in college than you do in the pros. Not sure there are many or any other positions where that is the case.
Unless Ficken or Butterworth can step up in the interim, Fera’s loss will certainly be felt against Alabama.
Why would you openly wish for an injury just to see playing time for Fera?
Is anyone here a veterinarian, 'cause these pythons are SICK!
by WorldBFat on Aug 24, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I see what you did there
"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.
Okay, I'll come clean
Mrs. Buttersworth and I had an affair similar to “The Graduate.” Here’s to you, Mrs. Buttersworth.
@happyhourvalley
Black Shoe Diaries
It's not cheating when you do it on the Kiss-Cam.
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whoa whoa whoa
ACCEPTS THE PAYPAL
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by newenglandnittanylion on Aug 24, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Only position I didn't vote better than
Fera out, new Kicker, not a huge fan of Butterworth…. yeah the position should be worse
"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Aug 24, 2011 9:41 AM EDT reply actions
Butterworth replacing Fera is roughly a draw in my mind
I think they’re both good, but neither has shown himself to be awesome yet. Ficken replacing Wagner is a total unknown in terms of talent, but a brand new kicker replacing a very accurate one can be rough. I suspect the group will be worse than 2010 overall early, but if they play well in the first few games, could be better than 2010. We’ll see
"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.
Butterworth's
High School coach was interviewed after he announced for PSU and pointed out that while he averages 40 yards, his punts often result in fair catches because he gets height. He can also kick left footed and on the run. If he plays, it will be worth monitoring his net average.
by OlderBudweiser on Aug 24, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I was really impressed with the hang time of his punts. Give me a guy who can consistently punt 38 yards with no return over a guy who averages over 40 with a consistent 5 or 6 yard return.
"I play for Penn State, we don't celebrate after TDs." - Penn State's Derek Moye, on being asked to act like he's celebrating a TD during a BTN shoot.
How in hell do WE keep Fera sober?!
"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." The Government is like the Mob, you can check out, but never leave.
If we can keep him very, very mildly buzzed, then he might not be tempted to go for more
"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Aug 24, 2011 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Could work.....
Mildly buzzed, Joe might think it’s some kind of West Texas accent. Methinks he came here with a slight problem. Hope he is able to get his act together as I believe he has some talent. Joe just doesn’t waste scholies on kickers.
"The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." The Government is like the Mob, you can check out, but never leave.
by DerryPharmer on Aug 24, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Supply him with an
endless supply of hookers so he doesn’t have time.
Please don't follow me on twitter.
Allegedly killing five hookers kept Craig James free of the SMU Pony Express scandal
One might speculate.
by Aaron PSU on Aug 24, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
what's so shocking about this, IMO
is many members of his family went to Penn State. He can’t really expect to get away with this, can he?
I am wondering if he has a Kerry Collins-like problem. This is pure speculation on my part, and if so, I truly hope he gets the help he deserves.
Fire Dan Snyder
by Cari Greene on Aug 24, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Kerry Collins
He’s come out of retirment to play for the Colts since Manning is injured.
Kerry Collins got away with it
in college at least.
This is BSD, the crazy stirs itself.
Follow @Paige2PSU
exactly
how long was he enabled? Maybe if someone stepped up to him and tried to get him help in college it wouldn’t have gone as far.
Maybe someone did try, I don’t know. I hope it’s not that bad, though, and it’s just that he’s incredibly unlucky.
Fire Dan Snyder
"He doesn't have the powerful leg that Fera does, but there is certainly potential"
Oh, hamburgers.
by Aaron PSU on Aug 24, 2011 9:54 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Haaaaaaa I get it
And that’s pretty funny
"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Aug 24, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Wagner going 4 for 4...
… in that mud pit was one of the most clutch performances I’ve ever seen. Way to go, Collin.
THE Ohio $tate Buck Guys:
1 Scarlet & Gray dollar sign helmet sticker for each autographed piece of equipment sold or bartered.
10 Scarlet & Gray dollar sign helmet stickers for each 9-month sports car "test drive" obtained.
by No.21 on Aug 24, 2011 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Even more important, IMO
was it prepped him for last year. If he didn’t have that performance, there’s no way he would have done as well last year as he did.
Fire Dan Snyder
by Cari Greene on Aug 24, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Including one hell of a fake field goal vs Michigan
Though… most of us in the stadium and watching on TV probably had a feeling it was coming.
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make. - Michael Weinreb"
by Mike Pettigano on Aug 24, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
In the heat of the moment in the stadium, I didn't see it coming
but it just made it that much sweeter when it did happen
"Hey Joe, don't worry about the guys we lose. Only make sure the guys you bring in here belong here, and they're coming here for the right reasons." - Rip Engle to Joe Paterno
by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 24, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, Mike and I did not produce this, but here it is:
Even more amusing is seeing JoePa yelling at the student section for chucking snowballs onto the field after the most clutch play of the game. This game easily ranks in my own Top 5 games I’ve attended at the Beav.
@happyhourvalley
Black Shoe Diaries
It's not cheating when you do it on the Kiss-Cam.
I wonder....
is this the only preview devoted solely to PSU Ks and Ps on the internet?
Can we speculate on when Joe is going to announce starting QB?
We are about 10 days out – he won’t wait until 48 hours prior will he?
let's go state
Doubt it
My guess is he’ll announce soon – so things can settle down and focus on a solid week of practice with the 1’s and 2’s…
" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009
...
"...it smells like...victory..." Col. Kilgore
"Rambler can't have any power" ... He would be a tyrannical wielder of the the banhammer if he did. We couldn’t have: "Oh, you don’t like Iowa – banned." "You don’t like old country guys – banned" "You don’t like corn – banned" or "You’re a dirty rotten southern traitor – banned." It would be pure chaos." - Paige
by BlueWhiteLife on Aug 24, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope Fera is just dumb and not suffering from a real drinking problem.
As in, I hope he’s just unlucky and getting caught doing stupid 19-20 year old stuff. The team really needs him, because PSU can’t afford to be shaky on ST’s this year.
Completely agree
I think missing Fera on kickoffs is really going to be a major loss. PSU’s coverage teams have not been stellar the past few seasons and this just gives more opportunities for lapses. Not to mention field position and possible injuries covering more kicks. Sounds weird to say a kicker could affect the game so much, but I think in this case it is true.
I’m assuming there will, but is there going to be another post specifically for kick/punt returns?
I already wrote it. Should be along tomorrow.
Unfortunately, it’s kind of hard to write a summary of something that we know so little about (it’s not like we can say that _ and _ will definitely be our punt returners), and it’s even harder to break down coverage units because we’re talking about eleven potentially random players. So there’s a bit of past statistical analysis involved. And by “a bit” I mean “a lot”.
by Chris Grovich on Aug 24, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Makes sense
Just hope the return game will be able to provide a little more of a spark this season. Too many times the team started deep in their own end and gave the offense too long of a field to work with. Especially with 2 unproven guys at QB last season, it would have been nice to have some short fields to work with. So hope somebody, somewhere can make some plays in the return game. I am not a Drew Astorino hater, but when it comes to seeing him stand back and return punts, I certainly am.
I am not a Drew Astorino hater, but when it comes to seeing him stand back and return punts, I certainly am.
I don’t remember this happening a lot last year. 2009, definitely, and we absolutely sucked on special teams that year. But not much 2010.
Fire Dan Snyder
Astorino is only back there when PSU is in the "safe" punt return formation
When it is a short field and there is a chance for a fake punt, PSU goes into their safe formation and this keeps a d-back on the field for the play.
My grammer skills need improved.
Special teams are like injuries
no one really pays attention to them, but they’ll absolutely crush any potential a team has to be great.
A Garden State Nittany Lion...
"The way things are these days, 9-3 and one of the best graduation rates in the country doesn't seem like such a terrible bargain to make. - Michael Weinreb"
by Mike Pettigano on Aug 24, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely
" When you cross that Blue Line, you are mine...Across the Blue Line, it's all football. " " And what you need to do in your life is paint Blue Lines everywhere. " - Joe Paterno 2009
...
"...it smells like...victory..." Col. Kilgore
"Rambler can't have any power" ... He would be a tyrannical wielder of the the banhammer if he did. We couldn’t have: "Oh, you don’t like Iowa – banned." "You don’t like old country guys – banned" "You don’t like corn – banned" or "You’re a dirty rotten southern traitor – banned." It would be pure chaos." - Paige
by BlueWhiteLife on Aug 24, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Special Teams
I know it’s been written about in the past and JoePa has perhaps been asked about it in a presser, but how much of the special teams issues could be related to there not being a coach with “Special Teams” in his title? (Regardless of “responsibility”) Maybe in this case actions do speak louder than words? I seem to recall us being reasonably sound in those areas from ‘80-’95 when Bradley had the title.
*
see: us in 2009
I fully believe that had we had better special teams, we would’ve beat Iowa.
Fire Dan Snyder
ah, the kickers...
"They stalk their prey to within two or three great leaps and then launch a lightning-fast charge, striking their prey. Victims are most often killed by suffocation with a prolonged bite..."--Hinterland Who's Who
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