Another reason...
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MapleLeaf
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BigDFan5 said:
... My post is in reply to all the posts clamouring for an accurate kicker. I think Vanderjagt's % speaks for itself.
The kicker isn't the only solution as shown by Vinatieri's miss yesterday. Please refer to my contributions to the post about Steve Hoffman.
Dave_in-NC
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Its funny how FGs have been becoming so interesting. They used to be about atomatic.
MapleLeaf
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BigDFan5 said:
...the 90%, the real point is how to mitigate the 10% when you need it the most.
There's one thing about missing a 46 yard FG in the first quarter of week three and another thing to miss a FG in the divisional semi final with 11 seconds left in the game.
Focus is what that is all about. Focus isn't about the easy one or garbage time or games angainst 10 point underdogs. Focus is about this past situation with their playoff lives on the line. There is a time for the very best effort one can give and I would argue this game was it. With a week three miss you can still take your 90% after that and fight to get to the playoffs.
With a divisional semi final miss with 11 seconds left, it's all over.
I think you misunderstand coaching in sports. It's not all rah, rah, rah. I had a kicking coach who once took a pen and drew a dot on the top of my kicking foot just before a kick. He didn't say anything, but he was trying to give me something to focus on - the point of impact on my foot to ensure consistent contact. Oddly enough the one thing I think Vanderjagt didn't get on this kick.
The saem coach on another occasion just before my kick came over to me and started talking to me about what I wanted to do for my upcoming spring break to stop me from focusing so much on my mechanics.
He was there just to take the temp of my mental state and help me readjust if necessary. If you wonder why, then you've never been on the sidelines before. When a kick is on that's crucial, you have no friends on the team. They walk away from you and avoid you like the plague before the kick as if you don't exist.
The pressure is tremendous. When you make the kick they come a running as if you are the president of the United States if you miss they want nothing to do with you as if you are a leper.
It's not the ideal situation for consistent success.