Roster (Practice Squad) Update 9/7

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(09-07-2021, 05:18 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: The highest net punting average from a punter last season was 45.6 yards per punt.
The lowest net punting average from a punter last season was 34.1 yards per punt.

Between those two punters, the difference in their total average distance per punt was 1.9 yards. (Ty Long of LAC with 46.8 avg, 34.1 net, Jake Bailey of NE with 48.7 avg, 45.6 net).

The highest average yards per punt last season was 50.8.
The lowest average yards per punt last season was 42.5.

So, realistically, the difference between the very best punter and the very worst punter is 1 first down per punt.

I don't want to say punters are replaceable, because there is obviously value in having a good punter. But if I had the choice between a back up punter and a 3rd QB, especially in another year with COVID where a player can unexpectedly be ineligible to play leading up to a game due to testing positive, I think a 3rd QB is more valuable.

With that said, I think a 2nd punter is probably better than a 7th linebacker, 5th HB or 9th WR. Especially if you think that punter can be your Punter for the next 10 years once Huber retires.

Problem with just looking at the numbers on punters like that is the quality of the special teams coverage changes a ton of that, as does the offense. If you have an offense that is quick to 3-and-out, you have the possibility of booming a 60 yarder or something without worrying about a touchback. If your team's offense stalls out on the opposing 40 yard line, the best punt possible then is a 39 yard punt that dies on the 1.

For awhile there, if you played Devin Hester or Josh Cribbs, your best bet was to focus on hangtime rather than distance to get that fair catch. If you go 40 yards and a fair catch, that's better than 45 and a 10 yard return. Still true with any dangerous returner.

It's still highly dependent upon your coverage team, but I think for punters the best stats in no particular order would probably be..
1. How far do opponents return your punts?
2. How many fair catches do you create?
3. How many balls inside the 20 do you kick?
4. How many balls inside the 10 do you kick?
5. How many touchbacks do you kick? (Less are better.)

Not sure distance or net are particularly great stats for individual success.