Packers released Schum:
http://www.packersnews.com/story/spo...hum/362171001/
The musical chairs at punter continues. He was waived-injured with a back injury, so either the Packers didn't think he would heal, or just thought he wasn't good enough.
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Packers released Schum:
http://www.packersnews.com/story/spo...hum/362171001/
The musical chairs at punter continues. He was waived-injured with a back injury, so either the Packers didn't think he would heal, or just thought he wasn't good enough.
Good Move. Maybe bring in another UDFA for competition, but it seems like Vogel is a major upgrade from Schum.
I don't think they cut Schum because of him, I think they cut Schum because he came back injured and they didn't see a need to tie up a roster spot for him, when they can probably resign him if he gets healthy. I doubt there is a line of GM's waiting for Schum to be available.
I expect there will be another punter on the roster before TC starts.
meh. he did lead the league in fewest punts returned, or fewest return yards, or something like that though.
oops...it was lowest % of returnable punts.
Yeah Schum was 16th ranked in net average for the year at 39.8, but the last 3 games (playoff games) he netted 43.4 which would have been 3rd in the league had he done that all year.
It's all about net average in Green Bay, the ball just doesn't travel as far, and Schum did an underrated job overall I think. He's replaceable though obviously.
Don't drop the ball here Teddy. Maybe there's some Austrailian who can run around, threaten some first downs and "kick it where they ain't" when he can't get the first down...
The key is can Vogel do the job as holder for Crosby. I was hoping they woulda kept that guy last year who came from Green Bay, went to U. of Minnesota, and won some award as the Big Ten's best holder, in addition to having damn good punting numbers and some all around athleticism. Maybe still bring him in to compete.
In general, though, there's no reason I can think of why a punter would not have as good numbers in the NFL as college, and therefore, not be decent right from the start as a pro.
You can't just look at a punter's numbers in college and expect them to translate to the NFL. Often punters in college can get away with bad practices or forms that you can't do at this level. The biggest thing is the snap to kick time. Look at how many colleges have these rugby style punters who take a bunch of steps before kicking. That won't fly against an NFL rush. Even with normal punters, many take an extra step or are just a bit slower than needed for the NFL. Fixing those problems can screw up a punters consistency.
Why the hell not? Possible better rush on the guy is cancelled out by better protection. If somebody averages 43 or 44 yards with good placement and height in top level college, there's no reason not to expect it in the NFL. Ditto that with place kickers. There are a helluva lot of both coming out every year. There shouldn't be any reason to pay them big money. Ted is right to treat them like they are disposable.
One NFL punter said the difference is this: in college he stood still, caught an arched snap, secured the ball, then started his three-step approach to the kick. In the NFL he had to catch a line-drive snap as he was starting his two-step approach to the kick. Everything is just much faster, just as it is in every aspect of the game for players coming from college to the pros in every sport.
If Vogel struggles I wouldn't be surprised if they bring Schum back, if his injury is healed. Right now, they may not want to tie up a roster spot with a punter who can't punt.
To add to this, there are different rules for the "ineligible player downfield" penalty. In the NFL, only the players at the side of the formation, the "gunners", are allowed to run toward the punt returner as soon as the ball is snapped. All the rest of those along the line of scrimmage can't go more than a yard forward until the ball is kicked.
Under NCAA rules, the linemen can run toward the punt returner right after the snap. So many of the linemen take advantage of this and run forward after the snap. So if the college teams want to have anything resembling a return, they need to go back right away to help blocking. So the punter can take the 3 steps, run around and such as there's less pressure on him. In the pros, that time simply isn't there.