http://www.nola.com/lsu/t-p/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1125127179221200.xml Great read! It insinuates Saban's coaches were weak in kicking mechanics! "We had a real good summer and offseason. We had charts we'd fill out -- an 'H' grid -- and mark where the ball would go to see our patterns, where we were kicking the ball so we could make adjustments. "We didn't do that the year before. This coaching staff -- not that (former) coach (Nick) Saban didn't -- but they're taking it seriously as one third of the game. They are emphasizing we're as important as anyone else." Gaudet said his big flaw was his follow-through. "I was finishing straight up the field instead of coming around like in a golf swing," he said. Fisher, whose only three punts last season came in the season opener, also has made an adjustment and said he's kicking better than ever. His development could take pressure off Jackson. "I lowered my drop a little bit, so I could get more consistent punts and it's turned out tremendous," Fisher said. "I see a big change already."
http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/082605/lsu_lsu001.shtml Here's another great kicking article on deep snapper Gant Petty. I couldn't resist posting it as he backs up the earlier post for more emphasis on the kicking game under Miles. Excerpt: Flynn said he's amazed at how catchable a ball Petty delivers to him and the punters. "The thing that people don't realize is how soft it is to catch," Flynn said. "A lot of deep snappers get the ball back there just as fast, but it's a little bit harder to catch. I don't know how he does it, but he puts it to where it's easy for me."
Kicking game seemed to be the weakest point of Saban's coaching, and we really needed improvement in the area. Blocked punts that led to scores in the Saban era allowed teams to get back in the game when they should not have, based on our offense and defense. I'm hoping to see improvement there.
I'm pretty sure the poor mechanics and "FEAR" that caused poor performance is gone. Another excerpt: Timing is everything Petty said he aims to snap the ball the necessary 7 yards for a field goal or PAT within four-tenths of a second -- faster, if possible, for long field goals. For the 15-yard journey from his fingertips into the punter's hands, Petty's goal is a hang time of no more than .75 or .80 seconds. That requires a higher release point, some oomph, but the same accuracy as on short snaps. He said he searches wherever he can for any advantage that saves him a split second. "I've looked from A to Z on the Internet," Petty said. "I look at new grips. I look at different stances, feet placement, anything. You name it. Just that extra tenth of a second is the difference between a blocked punt and a successful punt down the field."
Nick's kick return teams and kick coverage teams were among the best I've ever seen, but his actual kickers needed some help, perhaps. I'm glad they are getting it.
I certainly hope the kicking game is improved. I don't think my heart can take another erratic year like last year. :grin:
Yeah, we have been weak in ST, even during the Dinardo era. PAT's were almost 50-50 affairs. I think this is an area of the game that is neglected by many of the SEC teams.
