The Biggest Disappointments of 2006: #2 - Kevin Kelly

by BSD on Feb 4, 2007 9:11 PM EST in Football

Kevin Kelly didn't suck as a freshman, did he? Upon further review he hit 16-of-23 field goals for a 70% success rate. Before blowing up and missing two field goals that would have won the Orange Bowl he was 15-of-20 for a 75% success rate. Not eye popping but pretty good for a true freshman. Surely you would think he would have improved as a sophomore.

Upon further review, he didn't. This year Kelly hit 22-of-34 for a success rate of 65%. He didn't make a major drop off from last year. The problem this year was the games were so much closer making his misses more gut wrenching. Last year many of his misses were in blowouts.

Kelly didn't get much help in the early part of the year. The coaches tried a few different combinations of snappers and holders after some fumbled snaps and he was dealing with a back injury. But by week four or five those kinks were worked out and from there it was mostly on Kelly. He was completely unreliable outside of 35 yards. Surprisingly, the coaches kept going to him, but by the end of the season you could tell it was affecting their decisions once they crossed the 50.

I suspect Joe and the Coaches may be raiding soccer practice this spring looking for a new walk-on.

Previous 2006 Disappointments
#3 - Anthony Morelli
#4 - Jim Shaw
#5 - Derrick Williams

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Well,

I'm not going to argue that his percentage was bad(ish) and that it was disappointing given his freshman season. But I really doubt that the coaches (we're talking about PSU, right?) are looking to replace a kicker who tied 2nd nationally in field goals, led the Big Ten in field goals/kick scoring, tied with PJ Hill for conference scoring leader AND tied a 29 year old school record for field goals made (also broke the 32 year old record for attempts).

He had too many attempts (I'd think that even if he'd made all of them) - that's the offense's fault. A lot of the kicks that he missed we're red zone attempts - they hurt - but too many of them followed stalled drives - I'm going to blame coaching - cause I like to blame coaching.

by PSUgirl on Feb 5, 2007 11:04 AM EST reply actions

What did Robbie Gould say this year?

Something about not getting any real coaching at PSU? He was just given some drills to do every week and he did them, but very little direction.

Add that to Michael Robinson's comments about not realizing how complicated special teams can be and I think there is a pretty good case to be made that the special teams game has passed our coaches by. It's time we bring a special teams specialist into the mix.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

Hail to the Lion!

by BSD on Feb 5, 2007 11:32 AM EST reply actions

Coaching?

I think a special teams coach is probably smart, however there is a long history of excellent kickers at Penn State.

by Nick Blonde on Feb 5, 2007 11:39 AM EST reply actions

No argument there.

Mike
Black Shoe Diaries

Hail to the Lion!

by BSD on Feb 5, 2007 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

there is no special teams coach

I say that I blame coaching - basically, for that very reason. Also, an offense that continually can not score touchdowns in the redzone is coaching's fault as well - once or twice it might be player execution - but after that it's the coaches' responsibility.

by PSUgirl on Feb 5, 2007 12:00 PM EST reply actions