Decent point. Our defense has handled the pressure for the most part, but...field position is a two way thing. Here's a scenario... LSU punts from their 40 to Team X's 30. Team X gets a first down or two, then has to punt from midfield. LSU calls for a fair catch at the 10...first and 90 to go. Here's another... LSU punts from their 40 to Team X's 15. Team X gets a first down or two, then has to punt from their own 35. LSU calls for a fair catch at the 30...first down and 70 to go. I like this scenario a lot better...just me I guess. Not saying the defense is hurting because of it...but what about the offense? Starting deep in your own territory changes the attitude, playcalling, a lot of things you can do on offense. Field position is important, especially with a young QB and OL.
No. A 39-yard average for 3rd in the SEC is OK. Duuuh! We just don't have to agree with your gloomy assessment when the evidence tells us a different story.
Again, I never said the punting sucked. I said it's inconsistant. I complain about the several sub 30 yd punts we've had...when they have nothing to do with trying to pin the opponent deep. Who wouldn't? You mean to tell me when we got off that magical 19 yarder Saturday night, I was the only one who was dissappointed?? You weren't?? And you can take 2 yds off that average when it comes to Helton's kicks.
Again - I think Fishy is onto something. The punting has been inconsistent. Not horrible. Just inconsistent. And the stats for distance aren't important. Because if your offense and defense are pretty good, you can find yourself pooch punting more than not, which would make averages suck. What I've noticed is that we've had snapping issues in one (very wet) game. And we've had injuries. And, even when healthy, Helton has been inconsistent. It's a worthy topic because special teams play huge in a defensive battle like Saturday promises to be. Not sure why there's an argument about this. :huh:
There's no argument because the vast majority of punters in college football are inconsistent and so far such inconsistency has not hurt the team. To me this is a non issue.
It has most certainly hurt the team in the battle of field position. It hasn't cost us a game or anything, but again...in a close, defensive struggle type of game, it could. - I don't think it's anything that will make or break LSU, but it is worthy of discussion. - I didn't start the thread...or name it. If I did, I would've named it differently. The thread title implies disaster...and it isn't a disaster. But you don't want a 19 yarder kicking from your 10 against a good team.
Fortunately we don't have a punter averaging 19 yards. You simply don't take a players worst play and say that's all he's capable of.
That's not what I'm trying to do. Of course he doesn't AVERAGE 19 yds. But how many sub 30 yard kicks have there been? I realize there are going to be some short kicks every now and then, and some bombs to even things out. But typically, I would hope the short kicks were at least 30 yds. - Show me where I said our punter is only capable of a 19 yd punt. This is why it's impossible to have a discussion/debate with you Red. I never said anything close to that. I simply said the inconsistancy is a problem, and it is. I never said other punters aren't inconsistant, either. I never said our punting game sucks, I never said it has cost us a game. I never said we had a terrible average net. I never said anything except we have had quite a few terrible punts...sub 30 yds. I said I wish we could use our short, average killing kicks to pin our opponents deep inside the 20. - I don't care if we ever see another 50+ yd punt. I would just prefer to never see another 19 yarder...or 23 yarder...or sub 30 yarder, period. It'll happen, of course. But it should be rare...not nearly one a game.
It looks like you, Bandit88. and I are the only ones concerned about our punting game. I hope it doesn't bite us in the a** and cost us a game.
