2016 UDFA Signings

[Patler]

I read one report about punting tryouts held at the combine or somewhere, which was said to have had all the top prospects in attendance. The writer stated that there was complete agreement among the scouts that this year's crop of punters was absolutely atrocious, the worst in years, and that not one was ready for the NFL. They said while some had distance, their get-off times and hang times were no where near acceptable for the NFL.

One scout said it was too bad, because plenty of teams needed punters but there just aren't any good ones available, so the current veteran punters would be kept.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I read one report about punting tryouts held at the combine or somewhere, which was said to have had all the top prospects in attendance. The writer stated that there was complete agreement among the scouts that this year's crop of punters was absolutely atrocious, the worst in years, and that not one was ready for the NFL. They said while some had distance, their get-off times and hang times were no where near acceptable for the NFL.

One scout said it was too bad, because plenty of teams needed punters but there just aren't any good ones available, so the current veteran punters would be kept.

I wonder what head coach will be bold enough to give Tom Hackett a try? (We don't call ours Stubby for nothing.) Maybe all these scouts are the type that can't or won't think out of the box. Hang time is not that crucial a yardstick when a guy is running a few steps before he even kicks the ball and can directional punt. It seems from the film that Hackett's coverage team usually had more than enough time to get downfield.

[Patler]

I wonder what head coach will be bold enough to give Tom Hackett a try? (We don't call ours Stubby for nothing.) Maybe all these scouts are the type that can't or won't think out of the box. Hang time is not that crucial a yardstick when a guy is running a few steps before he even kicks the ball and can directional punt. It seems from the film that Hackett's coverage team usually had more than enough time to get downfield.

A question I don't know the answer to:

Are the "man downfield" rules during a punt the same in the NFL and college? That could explain differences in coverage and hang time requirements.

[Cheesehead Craig]

A question I don't know the answer to:

Are the "man downfield" rules during a punt the same in the NFL and college? That could explain differences in coverage and hang time requirements.

In college, once the ball is snapped, everyone can go downfield. Don't need the hang time that the NFL needs. Also, that would be why rugby-style punters are liked as they take an extra second or so to get the ball off enabling the coverage team to get further downfield.

[Patler]

In college, once the ball is snapped, everyone can go downfield. Don't need the hang time that the NFL needs. Also, that would be why rugby-style punters are liked as they take an extra second or so to get the ball off enabling the coverage team to get further downfield.

I suspected that might be the case. It explains a lot about very effective college punters who just don't transition well into the NFL.

[SMBASS]

I wonder what head coach will be bold enough to give Tom Hackett a try?

Hackett was signed as an UDFA by the Jets yesterday. They also drafted another Aussie punter from Sam Houston State in the 7th round.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Hackett was signed as an UDFA by the Jets yesterday. They also drafted another Aussie punter from Sam Houston State in the 7th round.

We missed an opportunity there IMO.