Kicking System Blog

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, former NFL Kickers talks about his career, his future, kicking technique and key tips to help you take your kicking game to the next level! Another must listen!

www.kickingsystem.com

Cha-Ching! Are the words that come out of my mouth after this first week of signings since the lockout lifted in the NFL. Of course I am happy for a new CBA and NFL season, but what I am excited about is the HUGE contracts this punters and kickers are receiving. Here is breakdown of a few of them:

1) Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers – 5 years 14.75 million – 3 million guaranteed — Don’t get me wrong Crosby has a great leg, but 5 years almost 15 million worth? He is 10-21 outside 50 yards, and I understand Lambeau field is tough but not sure if he is worth the almost 15 million.

2) Ryan Longwell, Minnesota Vikings – 4 years 12 million – 3.5 million guaranteed. Longwell deserves every penny, great kicker and glad to see him get his due.

3) Olindo Mare, Carolina Panthers – 4 year 12 million – 4 million guaranteed. Mare should be one the highest paid kickers in the league because he does both field goals and kickoffs really, really, really well. He is getting older but for kickers he is in his prime.

4) Adam Podelsh, Chicago Bears – 5 year (Cant find any details on the contract)– I thought Weatherford would be a Bear, now that let Maynard go – Podlesh is about 10 years younger, could provide consistency over the next few years. Dude ranked 4th in net punt last year and was a pro bowl alternate. Rumors he can run a 4.5 40 yard dash.

5) Adam Vinateri, Indianapolis Colts – 3 year extension — There is not enough money you can give this guy.

6) Michale Koenan, Tampa Bay Bucaneers – 6 year – 19.5 million. Well I know Koenan does kickoffs and punts and has a very strong leg. But he does not rank in any of the top 5 categories in punt totals. Not sure what the Bucs are thinking but time will tell if he can produce some good punt numbers. Kickoffs are great, should even improve kicking in Florida. He has a better deal than Lechler from the Radiers, makes no sense to us.  Thank you for the new CBA!

7) Nick Folk, New York Jets, resigned for a 1 year deal (according to Chuck Vine of Titan Sports) – 76% last year on field goals last year, still young at 27, and will compete with Nick Novak this summer.

8 ) David Akers signed a 3 year deal with the 49ners – With Nedney and all of his injuries (he just failed a physical), he is expected to retire this year. I think getting veteran to kick in San Francisco is always good thing, with the wind conditions having a reliable kicker will be huge for new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Wonder why he did not pick up his old college kicker Nate Whittaker (Vikings) to at least compete for the job. I know Akers finished on a sour note in Philly but his daughter was just diagnosed with cancer who is 6 years old.

9) Shaun Suisham, Pittsburg Steelers,  signed a new deal as well. (Not sure of the details) But connected on 14-15 field goals after replacing Jeff Reed. Its not east to kick at Heinz Field, so far he has done an excellent job.

10) Steve Weatherford, NY Giants – 1 year $870 K – I think a great signing for the Giants after Matt Dodge and his debacle in the final game of the season Weatherford can provide some solid field position which he has proven with the Jets.

11) Phil Dawson, Cleveland Browns – signed a tendered contract.

12) Matt Prater, Denver Broncos – singed a tendered contract.

Not to mention the frenzy of all the free agent rookie kickers and punters that have signed as well. It has been crazy!

Here is a list I pulled from my previous post for free agent signings:

Chas Henry, Eagles
Travis Baltz, Colts
Josh Jasper, Tampa Bay
Nate Whittaker, Minnesota Vikings
Thomas Webber, Bengals
Brian Saunders, Jaguars
Dan Bailey – Cowboys
Derrek Epperson, Cardinals
Ryan Donahue, Lions
Reid Forrest, Buffalo
Jacob Harfmen – Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills – Chris Hazley
Spencer Lanning – Chicago Bears
Jeff Wolfert – Clevland Browns
Brett Hatmann – Houston Texans
Chirs Koepplin – New England Patriots
John Gold – Seattle Seahawks
Jake Rodgers, New Orleans Saints
Chad Cunningham – Tennessee Titans
Wes Byrum – Seattle Seahawks

I know there are few more….

www.kickingsystem.com

May 7th, 2009

Great article on Graham Gano, kicker Baltimore Ravens.

http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2009/5/7/868024/new-ravens-kicker-graham-gano

April 23rd, 2009

Here is a analysis of the AFC North for specialists.

1) Balitmore Ravens: K – Steve Hauschka, P – Sam Kock.  For now the Ravens have Hauschka on the roster who wend 1 for 2 last year with his only make from 54 yards.  The Ravens are looking for Matt Stovers successor and may use a draft pick here to get another one. Possibilites include Buehler, Swank from Wake Forest and a host of others. Hauschka has some decent kickoffs but not much expierence, look for him to compete with an incoming draft pick. Koch has a 45 yard punting average and 39 net (6th in the NFL).  For his good work he has signed a one year deal worth 1.5 million back in March.  Look for the compeition in the field goal department, punting is solid. Interesting to note, I think the Ravens will still have Stover avaialable if the new kids on the block dont produce, keep that in mind.

2) Cinninnati Bengals: K – Shayne Graham, P – Kyle Larson.  Graham went 87% last season and 91% the year before.  He also had a 63 yard kickoff average. Graham one the most accurate kickers in the NFL (Pro Bowl in 05′) has earned the respect of many thru the last few years.  He also gained popularity be getting the franchise tag this past off-season. It means he will be one the highest paid kickers coming up this season. For the punting, Larson punted for the Bengals last season with a 39 yard punting average and 34 yard net.  With these kind of numbers the Bengals have signed Ryan Plackmier who punted for the Washington Redskins last season in 10 games. Larson signed a 5-year deal in March of 08′.  He is supposed to make 1 million this upcoming year. Rumor has the Bengals interested in local prosect Kevin Huber from the the Universtiy of Cinnatnnati as well.  Huber an All-American, is one the best punters in the draft this year. Look for the Bengals to draft Huber is he still around in the later rounds.

3.Clevland Browns:  K- Phil Dawson, P-Dave Zastudil. Dawson had a 83% ratio on his field goals and a 64.4 yard kickoff average. Zastudil had a 45.5 yard punt average and a 39.4 yard net average.  Zastuduil signed a 5-year contract last season and has not faltered.  Dawson has earned to respect of many and can be called the greatest kicker in Browns history.  Its possible the Browns may pick up a free agent combo kicker to lighten the load.

4) Pittsburg Steelers: K – Jeff Reed, P – Mitch Berger  . Reed was 87% last season and had a 62 yard kickoff average. Reed has had some off the field issues, but remains solid on the field.  Reed now hass 733 points second all time to Gary Anderson in Pittsburg History. Berger, the punter, was signed a few times during the 2008 season. First due to the injury to Daniel Sepulvda who tore his ACL in the summer.  The second was due to Paul Enrnster being inconsistent. Look for the Steelers to bring in some competition for Berger. I doubt it will be thru the draft but I don’t think the Steelers see Berger as their long-term punter.

Look for more from www.kickingsystem.com all this week

Player Breakdown: Punter, Kevin Huber, University of Cincinnati 6-1 / 221 lbs

Huber has great numbers and has won a dozen awards. I will not bore you with all that, but I have seen Huber kick in person and he has a great leg, huge leg.  The knock is that he may be a little slow on his get off times coaches think that due to his three-step approach. But he is a lefty and coaches love that because they think returners have a tougher time handling the ball. Huber is the best punter of the crop this year. Good size and good mechanics. I would be surprised if he goes un-drafted. I think he will get drafted in the 3rd-5th round.

Key Note: Draft history of punters of the last few years: