What should TT be looking for?

[Patler]

I think there is one position TT should be looking for:

Holder.

I'm serious. He can kill two birds with one stone by finding the best holder he can who is either at least an average punter, or at least an acceptable backup QB.

I am concerned that they are going to ruin Crosby, if they aren't careful. People have complained about Crosby last year and this, but I wonder how much has been his fault? This is what he has had to work with in his career so far.

2007 - snapper Rob Davis, holder John Ryan (2nd year)
2008 preseason - snapper Jansen (rookie), holder Ryan (3rd year and developing); but, Jansen gets hurt and Ryan waived.
2008 games 1-12 - snapper Goode (rookie), holder Frost
2008 games 13-16 - snapper Goode, holder Flynn (rookie)
2009 preseason games 1 & 2- snapper Goode, holder Flynn
2009 preseason game 3 - snapper Goode, holder Martin (novice).

Crosby is a young guy who expects a lot from himself, it seems. Also not one to blame others. You could see the frustration last night on his misses, at least one of which was a horrible hold, late and barely upright. The second miss looked out of sink, too. Crosby knows some people question his ability, he commented on it last week.

By most reports, Goode is good (Sorry!) but is just in his second year. Flynn has some experience, but not a lot, so he too is a work in progress. Crosby is the leader of that team, and he is just in his third season. I would like to see him with a veteran holder who he could rely on so all he has to think about is doing his job.

Crosby has not been put in a position to do his best. He has had nothing but change to deal with.

[Gunakor]

I think TT should be looking for a veteran backup QB. I think if he finds a veteran backup QB he'll have found a reliable holder. Or, if we're willing to be patient, we could develop Flynn into a reliable holder while we're developing him into a reliable backup QB at the same time.

I'm not a huge fan of using a punter as a holder. I like having a QB there because it adds a bit of security against a bad snap or whatever, in the sense that he'll be better able to scan the field for an open receiver and deliver a more catchable ball should he not be able to get the hold down. Plus it leaves the option to fake a FG on the table.

[Tarlam!]

I hope nobody is suggesting Doug Pederson unretire! :P

[Gunakor]

I hope nobody is suggesting Doug Pederson unretire! :P

Hey, he was a high quality holder for a long time!

[pbmax]

Re: What should TT be looking for?

I think there is one position TT should be looking for:

Holder.

Completely agree. What I would also like to know is why would the fifth WR be your backup holder? The fifth WR is no lock to make a roster. And even if Ruvell is a Special Teams whirling dervish, isn't that a position fraught with injury?

Both punters should have been working as holders. Less chance of injury. The only reason you wouldn't do it is if you think there is a good chance neither makes your roster. While only one kicker limits the amount of practice for holders, I think the punters have more time than a WR.

[sheepshead]

muffed fieldgoals are heartbreaking for sure. Not to mention a momentum changer.

[wist43]

Holders, punters, long snappers... ST's in general, are not positions TT is going to expend much time, effort - and especially money, addressing.

Frankly, I'm surprised he drafted Crosby. Not surprised he has done nothing to address our woeful punting situation.

I think it is reasonable to expect that punter, holder, and consequently Crosby, are going to be season long frustrations.

[pbmax]

He was one shopped offer from signing Vinatieri to a big deal (that probably had as much to do with kicking in a dome as it did with the money).

I think you have a point with the snapper, they promoted Davis out of his job.

But no one spends more money on the holder, you just need to train one. Why they are training the WR is a bit strange.

[vince]

Wist, you're just about out of things to whine about at this point.

[wist43]

Wist, you're just about out of things to whine about at this point.

I didn't create the topic...

As is my nature though... what is the weakness??? Where is the problem???

Punter is obvious, less obvious is the state of our LB'ing corp... I have real concerns.

Kampman looks completely out of position, Hawk is still just as pedestrian as he was in the other scheme, Thompson is what I thought he was all along - a 4-3 DE, same as Kampman - Matthews hasn't seen the field, and the only effective LB we've seen on the field this preseason is a backup, Bishop... who himself has severe limitations to his game.

Jones looks like he should make the team ahead of Thompson, Barnett??? who knows.

At least Spitz beat Wells out, love the Raji pick, Jolly has looked great, and Rodgers seems to have it figured out. A lot to be positive about... but that isn't what this thread is about, is it???

You guys still can't believe we didn't go to the SB last year... fandom is as much about armchair GM'ing as it is rah-rahing.

I'm sure Kapawhosit will be in the pro bowl though

[Patler]

Re: What should TT be looking for?

I think there is one position TT should be looking for:

Holder.

Completely agree. What I would also like to know is why would the fifth WR be your backup holder? The fifth WR is no lock to make a roster. And even if Ruvell is a Special Teams whirling dervish, isn't that a position fraught with injury?

Both punters should have been working as holders. Less chance of injury. The only reason you wouldn't do it is if you think there is a good chance neither makes your roster. While only one kicker limits the amount of practice for holders, I think the punters have more time than a WR.

I read once that they gave Kapinos a try, but he has never held in his life before this, and is completely awful at it.

I have often thought that the 2nd QB is ideal. In spite of what happened to Peterson a few years ago, it is unlikely that the 2nd string QB gets hurt. However, I know teams prefer to use the punter, because it makes for efficient practice time, and doesn't require the QB to be away from other things he might be doing. Generally, if the kicker and snapper are practicing, the punter is doing nothing, so he might as well hold.

[mraynrand]

I was thinking that Havner should be the holder. But apparently he has been painting the Packer offices and redoing the plumbing in the Atrium during special teams practice.

[Scott Campbell]

Wist, you're just about out of things to whine about at this point.

I don't think we'll ever run out of things to complain about. You probably could have visited the Patriots board in 07 and found guys complaining about something.

[CaptainKickass]

They obviously do not trust Brohm.

With Ruvell being the "emergency" QB - it kind of makes sense that they'd train him as a holder.

Kind of.

[CaptainKickass]

Wist, you're just about out of things to whine about at this point.

I don't think we'll ever run out of things to complain about. You probably could have visited the Patriots board in 07 and found guys complaining about something.

Now THIS is where you go to complain:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM