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.
In this episode, David Akers, NFL kicker, from the San Francisco 49ners, stops by to chat with hosts John Matich and Tim Valencia. Akers talks about how his day to day life of kicking in the NFL, simple kicking techniques, mental preperation, his career and how to make that next step in your kicking game. Cool content for all levels of kickers and punters! It will blow your mind!
In this show, Chris talks about his life as a free agent kicker. He explains how hard it is to make it in the NFL, what he is doing to help stay in shape, and much more. Great segment for all you free agent kickers! Chris spends a few minutes with TKS Host and Kicking Coach, John Matich of San Diego, CA.
In this episode, Brett Maher, kicker from the University of Nebraska, talks about his daily practice routine, kicking and punting at the college level and how to handle the rigors of college football. A must listen! Join host, TKS Owner, John Matich on a road of information…http://blog.kickingsystem.com/
It was a busy Sunday with the 10th Anniversary of September 11th and the start of the NFL season! Not to mention the great performances of all the TKS Alumni in high school and college.
The San Diego Chargers kicking game took a huge blow when the Minnesota Vikings took back the first kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown. Nate Kaeding got injured on the play trying to make the tackle and all indications show a torn ACL on his left knee and as of this post Norv Turner said “Nate is out for the season.” After that, the punting warlord of the NFL, Mike Scifres, (fresh off a new contract extension) was the placekicker. Although he did not warm-up in pre-game with any field goals, hit a few during half time and Coach Turner decided to extend his field goal range to around 40 yards. Of course, Scrifres blasted a few touchbacks for kickoffs, which we knew he was capable of doing, but he kicked a 40-yard field goal in a pressure situation. It was Scifres first pro field goal, he did kick some long field goals in college.
Its not often in the NFL that we see the punters kicking field goals, in fact, we often see other position players take over for the kicker if they go out with an injury. It shows how valuable Mike Scifres is at the specialist position. His legendary status took on another level. Scifres is known as the “king of hang time” in the kicking industry and to be able and perform a field goal under pressure puts him in a whole another level. With all the specialization in the kicking industry these days it was nice to see the punter take on the kicking duties and excel. Scifres went on to say in the post game press conference, “the nerves crept in a little bit, but after the first extra point…it was smooth sailing…I knew I was capable of doing it.”
The interesting part from a kicking technique perspective is that you would think that all punters would be great kickers and all kickers would be great punters. As mentioned earlier, in the kicking industry, there has been speclization over the course of the last 10-15 years. Nowdays, the NFL has long snappers on teams that just snap, and sometimes you have a kickoff specialist (David Buehler, Dallas Cowboys). Although with the new kickoff rule this year, it changed the kickoff line to the 35 yard line. We might see less teams carrying two kickers. But we rarely see, a specialist kicking and punting. We don’t see that in the college game either all that much. What the average fans does not undertand and Scrifres explains is a quote: “Kicking off and the field goal is a lot more across your body, whereas punting is more of a straight line,” He is exactly right, kicking and punting are two completely different realms. In the punting motion you have to stay more linear, whereas in kicking you have more torque and come across your body more. With all of these specialization these days, the punters and kickers are improving every year, the muscle memory is ingrained in the kicker and punter for years. It can be difficult for a punter to kick a 50 yard field goal consistently and it can be hard for a kicker to punt a 40 yard punt with decent hang time. And then ask them to perform under pressure is another ball of wax. Which is why Scifres being able to perform the way he did was impressive in my eyes. To be able to average over forty five yards a punt, your body and mind are ingrained with the technique and to change your swing under pressure can be a difficult kick.
As for possible candidates, this is no brainer. The Chargers had Nick Novak in last years preseason camp and is coming off a great preseason with the New York Jets. I personally watched Nick kick all summer long at SDSU working with a holder and snapper in order to prepare for the season. I was working with students on one side of the field and Nick was kicking and working on his technique on the other side, next thing you know he could be the next Charger kicker! As of this post he is expected to come in on Tuesday and workout!
Also want to recommend John Carney who lives in San Diego and is still kicking!
Going into my 9th season as kicking coach at Mesa College, I was ready for another challenge. At the community college level every year is quite different. Sometimes you get some great athletes who cant kick, or you get some kids who can kick but dont lack the college level strength. My first year I helped Brian Courtney (Saints HS) earn a punting scholarship to TCU and kicker Louis Villagomez went on to (West Texas A&M). I like to think I have been very fortunate over the years, numerous students have come and move on to the college ranks. One year we had over 7 kickers and punters. To many memories to recount, this years crop involves a returning kicker, McCall Penn (La Jolla HS) and new comer Marcus Diaz (Poway HS).
McCall and Marcus did not disappoint in this years opening kickoff against Grossmont College in San Diego, CA. McCall handled the punting duties and Marcus kicked a the game wining field goal from 44 yards in a 33-30 win for Mesa College last Saturday night. After 14 seasons of not beating Grossmont it was a pleasure to watch as the ball sailed thru the uprights, after working on the operation all summer long. McCall, our punter, is also the holder on field goals and with our snapper (Brandon) we got perfect laces and great get off time, so there was no chance of getting this kick blocked. We cant wait to play Southwestern!
It has been a busy summer and TKS wanted to take the time and preview this years kickers and punters for San Diego High Schools for 2011. Every year we are amazed of all the publications (we will not name them) on how much they don’t know about the best kickers in Southern California & San Diego. Special Teams will play a big part in many of the leagues this year.
1) Brian Heinz SR. – Cathedral Catholic HS – Brian has the size about 6-5 190 and has been working on his technique all off-season. We expect a blow out year for Brian as long as he stays healthy. Brian won the Kansas State punting and kicking camp compeition this summer and his confidence is rising.
2) Nick Stanistas SR. – Scripps Ranch HS – Nick a lefty should put every ball in the endzone this fall and contend for the field goal title if given the chance at Scripps. Nick went and visitied numerous DII schools of the summer and getting some heavy consideration from a few of them.
3) Travis Nicklaw. JR. – University City HS – A late bloomer and soccer convert – Travis has plenty of leg strengh, if he works on his technique should be a all-league kicker. Has the potential to be on the top kickers in San Diego this fall.
4) Diego Rodriguez, JR. – Lincoln HS – Its not often you find a good kicker at this school but they may have one with Diego. He has been working hard and although he is small in stature he will be blasting away touchbacks on a regular basis. Look for a good year from Diego.
5) Brady Esterbrook – JR. Patrick Henry High School – Brady kicks and punts but has a knack for punting. Great hands with a quick leg, he has shown some progress over the course of the summer. Brady should contend for best punter this fall.
6) Jason Dunbar – SR. -Escondido HS – Jason also punts and kicks but favors the punting. Jason who is looking to play college football has all the right tools and could make a name for himself this fall as a punter.
7) Kyler McLaughlin – SR. Serra HS – TKS only had chance to work with Kyler back when he was a sophmore when former Serra Kicker Parker Munoz was a senior. Kyler was just learning the ropes back then, but has the ability with a strong leg and athletic ability to content for all league kicker. Kyler us a soccer player convert as well.
8 ) Jack Mitchell – SR. Torrey Pines HS — You dont have to say much when you talk about the storied past of the kicking tradition at Torrey Pines. BUT we think Jack could possibly have the strongest leg out of all the kickers to come out Torrey. Jack who can also punt is fine athletes and have seen him crush kick offs (4.25 -76 yards at the TKS Spring Clinic). If he stays healthy and can master the technique, Jack has all the talent to be a DI kicker.
9) Seamus McMorrow – SR. Saints HS – Hitting a 58 yard field last year says a lot. Power is not a problem for Seamus. Although he finished with tough game last season, look for a great year from him. Possible offers coming soon…
Here is the break down for the NFL 2009 Draft for the NFC South.
1) Atlanta Falcons: K Jason Elam, P – Michael Koenan . Elam had a fantastic year hitting 93.5 percent on his field goals with a long of 50 yards. Elam does not do kickoffs because Koenan handles them, Koenan had a 40 yard average and a 37 yard net average. Although his numbers may not show, Koenan had a franchise tag placed on him and signed a one year 2.48 million dollar contract. It’s safe to say he will be Falcon for another year. Elam is classic when it comes to kicking, as well as clutch. Expect the Falcons to maybe pick a free agent to help lighten the load early on.
2) Carolina Panthers: K – Rhys Lloyd & John Kasay , P – Jason Baker. Lloyd was used primarily as a kickoff specialist. And he is the best at it in the NFL with 30 touch-backs. Kasay hit 90% on field goals with a long of 50, Kasay has been a stud; one of my favorite kickers all-time. Between him and Lloyd the Panthers are set in the kicking game. Baker had a 44 yard average and a 37 yard net. Panthers could possibly pick up a punter to push Baker, but with three specialist on the roster, don’t expect to much movement.
3) New Orleans Saints: K – Garrett Hartley, P – Glenn Pakulak. Hartley had a perfect season last year, only because he played 8 games. He is expected to be the starter and his job to loose. But after last years early season woes at kicking, expect the Saints to find a solid kicker via free agency. Pakulak has done well and helped solidify the special teams for the Saints. Some key punts late in the season have added confidence to the punting game. The Saints have some great young specialists that can be great for years to come. I still think the Saints front office will be watching we a close eye due to the woes of former players over the last couple of years.
4) Tampa Bay Bucanneers: K- Matt Bryant, P Josh Bidwell. Bryant hit 84% of his field goals and had a 62.9 yard kickoff average. Bryant had a tough year off the field, dealing with the loss of his 3-year old son, but still performed well. Bryant has steadily worked himself into the elite kicking group in the NFL. Bidwell, had a 44.5 yard average and a 37 yard net average. A terrific angle directional punter, has posted some solid numbers over the years. Look for the Bucs to add a free agent as insurance.
Inside Look
David Buehler, Kicker, USC 6-2 230lbs
From the outsdie looking in, you would think Buehler would be a shoe in on draft day. I still think he can get drafted, his performance at the combine and late season misses may have hurt his stock to be a every game field goal kicker for now. His power speaks for itself, his kickoffs have now become legendary. I heard them during USC home games and I am based out of San Diego! (48 touchbacks / 55% ratio) But his short game is another matter. Rumors have been flying, about how his missed every kick from 50 yards and on at the NFL Combine. BUT he did show he is an athlete, 4.55 40 at the combine and 25 reps of 225, unheard of for a kicker. Also I am unsure about how he will handle weather and pressure. Playing for USC he never had a opportunity to kick under pressure situation, and last time I checked I cant remember the last time it rained in SoCal. Look for Buehler to get drafted in the late rounds, or picked quickly as a free agent.
