The Cut List 2014

If we have continual ST breakdowns on returns it is probably more than just the kicker's fault. On paper at least they really upgraded the quality of player on the ST lines and that may have increased their comfort level with a shorter kickoff. Speaking of which, I do think ST upgrades is something national media has really missed about what Gruden is doing with this team. And that should be a big boost to both the offense and defense.

No coach ever develops a comfort level with short kickoffs.

Here is the only fail-safe way to avoid long kickoff returns: Kick it through the end zone. If you kick it through the end zone, they can't return it.

Therein lies the rub.

However, I don't know about Hocker on the PS. Hocker likely will be sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring, meaning we wouldn't need to PS him.

Good point about Hocker on the PS. It would probably be a waste of a PS slot.

No coach ever develops a comfort level with short kickoffs.

Here is the only fail-safe way to avoid long kickoff returns: Kick it through the end zone. If you kick it through the end zone, they can't return it.
But coaches like kickers who make 17 of 18, or their last 14. I would argue even that the fact that we kept Forbaith says the coaches do have developed some level of comfort with what his limits are. I imagine his leash on FGs will always be just a bit shorter if he starts missing many.

I'd rather have Forbath's accuracy than Hocker's distance.
:twocents:

True, really wish some sort of way to carry 2. Skins touchback percentage 3rd worst in the league last year, really hurts us field position-wise.

Teams will live with the shorter kickoffs as long as the kicker is accurate on FGs.

Better coverage always helps too, it's not all on the kicker.

Given our inability to convert in the red one I think having the better of the FG kickers was probably the prudent move... I'm more disappointed hocker couldn't take the job.

Teams will live with the shorter kickoffs as long as the kicker is accurate on FGs.

Better coverage always helps too, it's not all on the kicker.

Im sure opposing special teams coordinators told their folks to run as many kicks out the end zone as possible against our coverage units.

Kickoffs are only one issue for kickers with weak legs. Game-winning 53-yard field goals are another challenge, and Hocker can't fix that.

Sooner or later, we need a new kicker.

But coaches like kickers who make 17 of 18, or their last 14. I would argue even that the fact that we kept Forbaith says the coaches do have developed some level of comfort with what his limits are. I imagine his leash on FGs will always be just a bit shorter if he starts missing many.

Yes, I suspect that what you say here is exactly right. The coaches are probably encouraged that he has improved his KO's to some degree and they know that he'll continue to work to get better at them in games. As you said, since he's not very good on KO's his leash may indeed be a bit shorter on FG's.

Actually, I expect him to be very dependable on FG's. If he continues to improve his KO's over time, I'll be altogether fine with him. I'm just tired of losing field position on kickoffs, which makes me impatient with him.

Im sure opposing special teams coordinators told their folks to run as many kicks out the end zone as possible against our coverage units.

The ones that made it into the end zone, that is. Anyway, you're probably right because we must have had the worst coverage teams in the history of the NFL last season - and I'm not exaggerating.