Vikings' special teams sets NFL record

**kevoncox** · 12-15-2008, 07:45 AM

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcnorth/0-6-357/Cardinals-creeping-back.html

Not the kind of record we wanted. 7 Tds is 8 too many.
:'(

**Marrdro** · 12-15-2008, 07:48 AM

And people question me about my lack of confidence in our kickers...... :

**Purple Floyd** · 12-15-2008, 07:53 AM

On the other hand Berrian now holds the record for the longest offensive TD in team history and the longest punt return in history if what the announcers said yesterday is true. Even if the punt return wasn't a record, BB is still earning his paycheck.

**Prophet** · 12-15-2008, 07:54 AM

"Marrdro" wrote:

And people question me about my lack of confidence in our kickers...... :

I just question you about your lack of judgement on all topics.

**Marrdro** · 12-15-2008, 07:58 AM

"Prophet" wrote:

"Marrdro" wrote:

And people question me about my lack of confidence in our kickers...... :

I just question you about your lack of judgement on all topics.

Its the yutz in me.
;D

**BleedinPandG** · 12-15-2008, 08:01 AM

"Marrdro" wrote:

And people question me about my lack of confidence in our kickers...... :

Kick-offs were horrible yesterday... they all landed about the 10 yard line... generally speaking we stopped the returner between the 25 and 30 and if that's what it takes for our ST D to hold, so be it... but I think we can strive for more next year.

Hard to blame the FG kicker for the block though Longwell did miss a few big ones earlier in the year (I still think the Indy one would've won the game).
He has also made some clutch kicks this year.
Gotta take some bad with the great I guess.

**Marrdro** · 12-15-2008, 08:03 AM

"BleedinPandG" wrote:

"Marrdro" wrote:

And people question me about my lack of confidence in our kickers...... :

Kick-offs were horrible yesterday... they all landed about the 10 yard line... generally speaking we stopped the returner between the 25 and 30 and if that's what it takes for our ST D to hold, so be it... but I think we can strive for more next year.

Hard to blame the FG kicker for the block though Longwell did miss a few big ones earlier in the year (I still think the Indy one would've won the game).
He has also made some clutch kicks this year.
Gotta take some bad with the great I guess.

Welllllll, much to my suprise he did get one into the endzone my friend.
I actually jumped up and yelled when he did...... ;D

**Overlord** · 12-15-2008, 08:13 AM

"Marrdro" wrote:

And people question me about my lack of confidence in our kickers...... :

Do you really blame the kickers for this?
My own opinion has been that the coverage teams have been pretty terrible.
Has the placement/hang-time on kicks been that bad?
Or on that field goal block was Longwell too slow?

Either way, it makes our defense look bad when the offense and special teams are combining to spot our opponents about a TD/game.
Also makes it harder to win.

**ejmat** · 12-15-2008, 08:24 AM

I think Longwell is kicking the kickoffs higher instead of further in an attempt to let our guys get down the field as they are catching the ball.
It doesn't give the returner a good chance to get going and remember there is no 2 feet rule unless the KR calls a fair catch.

As far as punts the team has improved allot over the past couple of weeks so let's hope they keep that up.

The blocked FGs are a concern both on the the blocking side and on Longwell.
Yesterday's blame is difficult to tell because Dugan had to choose between 2 people.
I would have probably chosen the one that was making the most direct route like Dugan did.
Cromartie just made a hell of a play to block that kick.
That also leads me to believe Longwell may have taken too long once the ball was snapped to make the kick.

Overall I am happy with Longwell so in this case you take the good with the bad.

**Ranger** · 12-15-2008, 08:26 AM

You need to Dr. Z this.
First, identify the best kick off guys in the league.
I would say to examine the pro-bowl rosters from last year, but we all know that the pro-bowl is a joke, so I guess it's up to you.

Figure out their average kick off distance, where it lands, etc...but then watch them play in games, and time their kicks.
Basically, acquire the hang time on their kick offs.

Then, do this same block of work for Longwell.
Compare the distances and the hang times.
I suspect that they're remarkably close to each other, unless you're talking about some cannon-legged kicker like Janikowski.