Game Day: Pack vs Atlanta

[pbmax]

Its hard to separate bad coverage from short high kicks, but way too many of Longwell's directional kickoffs landed on the 10 and were returned to the 32.

My guess is the truth is that Longwell can reach the endzone, but the hang time suffers greatly.

[Patler]

Look at Longwell's average kickoff distances:

1997 - 65.7 (Last year before "K" ball and lower tees, I believe)
1998 - 61.8
1999 - 61.9
2000 - 61.3
2001 - 59.5
2002 - 61.0
2003 - 58.6
2004 - 58.6
2005 - 60.9

Sherman came in 2000, and Longwell's distances dropped. If you recall, most all of his kickoffs were directed toward the return team's left side, and he actually got fairly good at keeping the ball in bounds but close to the sidelines.

[Patler]

Its hard to separate bad coverage from short high kicks, but way too many of Longwell's directional kickoffs landed on the 10 and were returned to the 32.

My guess is the truth is that Longwell can reach the endzone, but the hang time suffers greatly.

I've ran these stats many times. If you look at the opponents average starting position following a kickoff, the Packers usually ranked right about in the middle of the league. Nothing wrong with that.

[Homer Jay]

There is still plenty of room for improvement, but, there appear to be play makers on both sides of the ball. The offense has the look of the mid 90's. I think the slant pass is my favorite play in football. Arliss Beach looks like the type of back MM and Jags talk about being right for this scheme. One cut and explode. I'd like to see him get some reps with the starters.

[Bretsky]

[quote="Rastak"]

Don't get me wrong - I'm not dissing Longwell. He was an awesome kicker, and I think he'll serve the Vikings well. But how do you sudenly start kicking to the EZ at this point in his career? That's odd.

A change of scenery can help a player if he wasn't performing to his ability, but that wasn't Longwell's issue.

Longwell said for years under Sherman that he was capable of reaching the endzone if he was allowed to kick away. Sherman's philosophy was to kick higher and toward one corner of the field. Nothing wrong with that approach. Distance isn't everything. Net distance is.

LONGWELL WILL BE SOLID.

QUESTION TO RASTAK


Who is going to put up the best numbers for the MN Vikings at WR for fantasy purposes ????

I was in an auction the other day and all of the Vikings WR's were there. I ended up with Williamson but nobody bothers with M Robinson or T Taylor.

WHO SHOULD I TAKE ??


B

[HarveyWallbangers]

Sherman came in 2000, and Longwell's distances dropped. If you recall, most all of his kickoffs were directed toward the return team's left side, and he actually got fairly good at keeping the ball in bounds but close to the sidelines.

Well, he dropped a little in some years and more in others. He's also older. I'd be surprised if he had the same leg strength now that he did 9 years ago. He's a good kicker. He'll be accurate and make the ones he should. He'll hit some 50 yarders indoors, likely not much over 50 outdoors. His kickoffs will be average.

[FavreChild]

His yoga will help.

Longwell will be fine - good, in fact. But he only kicked into the EZ once; don't pretend like he's magically awesome at kickoffs just 'cause he wears purple now.

[FavreChild]

Who is going to put up the best numbers for the MN Vikings at WR for fantasy purposes ????

Depends on whose fantasy...