Dont Forget About the Kickers 2012 NFL Playoffs
In this TKS Radio Show, host John Matich and guest Filip Filipovich talk about Billy Cundiffs missed kick, Lawrence Tynes game winning field goal and Filip gives an insight to the crop of punters and kickers coming out this year in the NFL. Filip also talks about his new kicking endeavor, Top Kicker in America, a showcase kicking event in Las Vegas.
A Post Cundiff Missed Field Goal World
Posted By Tim Valencia
If you have been following this blog or any news site lately I am sure you know how much analysis has been going on with the now infamous Missed field goal in the AFC Champoionship game by Billy Cundiff.
After John Maatich, (TKS Owner) has analyzed speicifically the kick the operation and everything leading up to the kick it is important to know one thing… a kicker should only be thinking about his next kick. Below is a link from the Baltimore Sun who uses multiple writers giving their opinion on the miss.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/sc-spt-0125-4corners-20120124,0,7738966.story
While I am ecstatic that there is a plethora of kicking topics and people writing about it, the information on this topic should slowly start dying out. While I am a huge fan of Billy Cundiff I feel the more this topic is discussed the more it does disservice to Cundiff and everything he has done in his career. Much like an Offensive Lineman, a holder a snapper, the only time a kicker is the focal point is when they mess up.
I also have to give Cundiff his due he hasnt blamed anyone, he shoulders the blame and has taken his licks in stride. In addition Ray Lewis has shown to be a consumate teamate and locker room leader, even if he did this Madden commercial back in 2004.
Lawrence Tynes Game Wining Kick vs San Francisco 49ners (VIDEO)
Just in case you missed it here is the video of Lawrence Tynes game winning kick in the NFC Championship game.
In my previous post, with Cundiff missed field goal, I talked about the total operation with the snap and hold. In this case the snap was low but Weatherford made a great catch and put down a perfect hold to help Tynes boot it thru. You could make a strong case for Weatherford as the games MVP as he had a ton of great punts as well.
Billy Cundiff, Missed Field Goal Versus Patriots
After numerous text messages, facebook posts and twitter comments, I figured I have to chime in and talk about Cundiffs missed field goal.
First of all, I am not offering any excuses on why he missed the kick. From that distance, its a chip shot. I have posted the video of the field goal below.
If you watch closely you can see the snap was not spot on, the hold was not perfect. When you are snapping in the NFL you normally try to get perfect laces to the holder. Or at least try to and not have the holder have to spin it a full revolution. As you can see the holder tried to spin the ball all the way around but did not get the laces facing the field goal. In an earlier field attempt there was a high snap and Cundiff still made the kick. But these series of field goals, shows how important the operation is with the field goal unit. When you are not firing on all cylinders it throws of your timing and causes missed kicks.
Other notes: Cundiff has been hurt all season with strained calf, that does not help when you are not in rythem. Also they brought in another kicker (Shayne Graham) a few weeks earlier which I am sure did not help the situation. It was not his best regular season and having the injury all plays a huge role. Lastly I did feel he was rushed, seemed as if he was sprinting onto the field, also when he took his steps back. Not sure why he was rushed, he knew he was going in…
Lastly, I still believe Billy Cundiff is a great kicker. He is a true professional and will bounce back, knowing him he will make his next 70 field goals. I do feel for him and will hate the next month of his life but after that he will regain his form.
2012 NFL Playoff Kickers Confidence Picks
POSTED BY TIM VALENCIA
One of the most important aspects of kicking is confidence, and with the NFL playoffs being cut down to only eight teams, I have decided to rank the final 8 kickers in a new way that was shown on the radio show of Mike and Mike on ESPN.
Rather than an overall ranking, kickers will be ranked 1 through 8 in three distinct categories; Leg Strength, Accuracy, and Clutch/Experience. The kicker with the lowest cumulative score is the kicker I have the most confidence in to help his team win their playoff games.
Leg Strength- (Based on touchbacks, and long field goals during the 2011 season)
- Matt Prater Denver Broncos-1
- Mason Crosby Green Bay Packers-2
- David Akers San Francisco 49ers-3
- Billy Cundiff Baltimore Ravens-4
- Lawrence Tynes New York Giants-5
- Neil Rackers Houston Texans-6
- Stephen Gostkowski New England Patriots-7
- John Kasay New Orleans Saints-8
Prater has a supernatural leg when it comes to strength, as well as him having an advantage of playing in Denver, it makes sense for him to be ranked number 1st. Crosby made a 58 yard field goal this year along with 49 touchbacks this season so he comes a very, very close second. Akers has 47 touchbacks this year while having an amazing year in San Francisco, it also helps that he made a 55 yard field goal this year for a long. Billy Cundiff, comes in fourth, with 44 touchbacks and a long of 51. Lawrence Tynes comes in next with 34 touchbacks and a long of 50. Rounding out the last three are Rakers Gostkowski and the Immortal John Kasay.
Accuracy
- Crosby-1
- Gostkowski-2
- Akers-3
- Rackers-4
- Kasay-5
- Tynes-6
- Prater-7
- Cundiff-8
The top four are a toss up as all completed around 85 percent of their kicks this year. John Kasay comes in at five due to his limitation on his range so he will be presented with more reasonable field goal attempts. Tynes and Prater follow up at 6 and 7 with their leg strength being the largest part of their game and accuracy playing a more secondary role. Following up is Cundiff at 8, Cundiff does have a very accurate leg, but he is coming back from an injury as well as he had a down year completing only 75% of his kicks.
Clutch/ Experience:
- Akers-1
- Crosby-2
- Kasay-3
- Tynes-4
- Gostkowski-5
- Rackers-6
- Cundiff-7
- Prater-8
This one might be the most difficult, but in an effort to be objective I have ranked based on career clutch kicks and postseason experience. Akers ranks 1st with a high amount of playoff experience including multiple game winning kicks and superbowl experience. Crosby ranks right behind him with clutch postseason experience in his very short career as well as a Superbowl ring from last year. After Crosby, Kasay is slotted in as he is the most experienced kicker as well as having playoff and superbowl experience. The next two; Tynes and Gostkowski both have Super bowl experience but Tynes gets the nod since he has a Superbowl ring. Finally, Cundiff and Prater, while both have plenty of game winning kicks but Cundiff gets the slight nod with more playoff experience.
After all the totals are added up the Kickers rank the following:
- Mason Crosby-5
- David Akers-7
- Lawrence Tynes-14
- Stephen Gostkowski-14
- John Kasay-16
- Matt Prater-16
- Neil Rakers-16
- Billy Cundiff-19
Not too much surprise here as Crosby is the Kicker that I have the most confidence in these playoffs, with David Akers with a close second. Only time will tell if these picks hold true.
Brendan Gibbons, Michigan Kicker, Thinks About ‘Brunette Girls’ During Sugar Bowl (VIDEO)
I have to say this is pretty funny – but one hell of a coaching tip for all you kickers out there. Watch this video and you will know what I mean.
Winter Football Kicking Showcase Camp – Sunday, February 19th, 2012
TKS is requesting your admission to the TKS Winter Football Kicking Showcase Camp on February 19th 2012 in San Diego, CA.
If you are looking to aquire the basic fundamentals of how to kick, punt of kickoff for football this is the camp for you. Also this will be a great opportunity to compete with some of the best specialists in Southern California. If you are still looking for a place to play college football, you can also demonstrate your skills to the TKS staff and help you chances to get on a college roster.
The cost $100 until January 1st, 2012 after that $150.The camp will be held at La Jolla Country Day School from 9-1pm in San Diego, CA.
Here is link to register: http://www.kickingsystem.com/tks-camps.html
Soccer Lessons -San Diego
Get an inside glimpse of a TKS Soccer Lesson with John Matich. Watch a 14 year old soccer standout perform, strength training, shooting and soccer specific training drills.
Soccer Coach John Matich
Soccer Lessons -San Diego
Soccer Coach John Matich
Brian Heinz goes out on Top!
Brian Heinz, Punter, Catherdral Catholic HS (San Diego, CA) had a huge day punting 4 punts, one was 48 yards! Brian also had 4 touchdown receptions!
San Diego & Orange County Kicking Coach: Started in 2004 TKS has placed over 60+ kickers to schools around the country.
