Punter debate

Tupa is to streaky, even for us, he would have a great two or three games and suck the next, so I'd take groom (not to say he is going to be streaky) but you cant say out kicking the coverage is a bad thing. some of these guys are paid to get there quicker. groom has had good hang time, so its not outkicking the coverage, its ST'mers not getting there quick enough and or not making the initial tackle IMO. Ive watched groom punt for OSU and he has never had a prob BOOTING the ball.

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Tupa. From where I'm standing, Tupa is very consistent. While I like Groom a lot, a good case can be made for keeping Tupa.

Tupa

Tupa when healthy is a very reliable which we haven't really seen in DC in a while, but since he is hurting and Groom has been doing a great job (and as someone posted he's cheaper and a heck of a lot younger) I'd lean more towards Groom. And I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be suprised if more than half of his punts have been downed within the 20 and that in the preseason he has one of the smallest gaps between avg punt and net avg of any punters who've seen action.

Tupa did better last year than Groom has done thus far, I don't know if Groom knows how to drop a ball in the 5 but i do know that tupa does

Net Average for Groom this preseason: 34.7
Net Average for Tupa Last Season: 35.2
Gross Average for Groom this preseason:42.3
Gross Average for Toooop Last Season: 44.1

I'd probaboly keep Tupa and waste a practice squad spot on Groom. Yeah I know you shouldnt waste a spot like that for a punter, but the guys got talent and we could use him soon. Tupa was really reliable last year, so we'll see how they decide.
Someone would sign him off the squad, so unfortunately there's really no point.

Groom on the practice squad means another team can sign him. Make him active and give Tupa the ax. :oink:

Groom on the practice squad means another team can sign him. Make him active and give Tupa the ax. :oink:

Considering the importance of, and difficulty finding, a good punter, is it possible we'd keep both Tupa and Groom? It would be hard to make room for him (especially considering that we have a whole bunch of talented "depth-players" at other positions), but he might be worth it. Tupa only has a season or two left and my memory of shanked Barker punts still haunts me.

PS - Didn't we let place kicker David Akers go because we didn't think we had the room for him on the roster?

Tupa...plus should, God forbid, Ramsey, Brunell and Campbell all go down Tupa can play some QB. In fact I had thought we might do a fake punt/pass or two last year with Tupa

I think Tupa still may have a good year in him... but he's getting old, has a cranky back and is wearing down. There's a good chance that he may not be able to stay healthy this year.

Groom has a big leg... his big negative is that he sometimes outkicks the coverage and doesn't have the touch that Tupa has. That will come with experience. He is a young guy and could be our punter for the next 5+ years.

Gibbs isn't the kind of guy that runs alot of punter fake plays... heck, he doesn't even like the shotgun formation, so I really don't see that being an issue.

I think Groom is our best bet.


Actually EE, I have to disagree there, Gibbs ran his fair share of fakes his first go round, Hayes was a fast guy for a punter and Gibbs used that on occasion, he also would quick snap to Mitchell on occasion, he was also king of the onside kick when teams weren't looking for it.

I do agree with you on Groom though I think the youth movement should win out, the way this kid has been kicking I don't see him having much trouble finding a team if we let him go.

It sound's like to me Gibbs really likes Tupa, and if Tupa is healthy he's the man, but between his back and Groom bombing the ball he's in a tough spot, Groom has some work to do as far as directional, and situational punting, but I would go with him, he will eventually come around. If we stick with Tupa and his back starts acting up again, we could be in trouble because I don't believe Groom will be available once he's cut.

Tupa was so good last year. Not only was he able to boot the ball 50+ yds at times, he could also drop in inside the 20 better than anybody. I know he has some back problems, but unless proven wrong, he is still one of the best in the league. To have the kind of average he had last yr with all the times we punted says something.