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.
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.
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.