I emailed Steve Hoffman and got a response!

[MapleLeaf]

no resistence against Hoffman, just bring in a quality kicker and you have no use for him, the mistake BP made was cutting Hoffman loose w/o having a quality kicker

... I think if you were talk to Vinatieri you would probably find him singing the praises of Brad Seeley. Although strictly a special teams coordinator with the Pats he has been instrumental in changing both Vinatieri, John Kasay and Robbie Gould's kicking motions to two step as opposed to the traditional three step.

He a practicianer of a simpler mechanical motion and has alot of respect int eh NFl coaching community for the work he has done.

Quality kickers are one thing, but there's no shred of evidence that good coaching in the kicking game is and has not been beneficial to any of the top kickers.

Whether that occurs through the additional of a specialist or not is of no consequence, what is important is that focus for the kicking game cannot be maligned.

As a point of interest, DeHaven is known asa a guy who needs a quality kicker first before he thinks he can do anything with him. Hoffman, Seely and O'Dea are of a different bent.

How good have kickers been under DeHaven's watch? Not very.

 

[wileedog]

Ummmm...maybe you missed it....he did great during his try-out to make the team again. Got away from Hoffman and his fundamentals went to crap. Not that hard to figure out.

And you really don't see this as a problem with the player?

He can't be away from his binky for 2 freaking weeks before turning to garbage?

 

[Kilyin]

Ummmm...maybe you missed it....he did great during his try-out to make the team again. Got away from Hoffman and his fundamentals went to crap. Not that hard to figure out.

Or he just choked...

 

[MapleLeaf]

These guys aren't children, and kickers by nature HAVE to be tougher skinned than most.

This Dr. Phil routine you're pulling here is total hogwash.

...you watch this kid, Brad Gould who Vinatieri, Kasay and Brad Seely have taken under their wing.

He's kicking for the Bears and has been erratic to say the least. Not a good sign when you team has difficulty scoring TDs.

If he kept on the right course he will develop the right density of skin, but right now he doesn't have it. To be truthful he is really only a child in his professional career.

I would be willing to shoot down your Dr. Phil comment with many articles talking about how to properly develop kickers. They range from NCAA manuals to numerous articles on the WWW written by Special Teams Coaches and kicking coaches on how to handle developing kickers.

Most of them don't prescribe to the DeHaven Parcells method. Funny how you guys think the player is the solution.

It's called a TEAM, and that entity is comprised of players, administration, coaches, support staff. No one player walks in like Jesus and delivers wins. It's about the organization and culture you set up.

If you want a kicker who only cares about the money sign a guy like Janikowski.

 

[MapleLeaf]

And you really don't see this as a problem with the player?

He can't be away from his binky for 2 freaking weeks before turning to garbage?

It could be that his mechanics altered, he's thinking too much about the kicks - who knows? The real question here is how does a kicker good enough to win a tryout and kick a 50 yarder to win a game to nothing but the trash heap.

Is this not DeHaven's fault also? he's ultimately one of the guys who picked this loser.

Funny how the blame is only the kicker's or Hoffman, but you guys are unwilling to talk about the coaching.

Remember, players play the games and coaches are suppose to make the right decisions to ensure the right players is in the right position to be successful. Based on the arguments I have heard this in this thread a certain amount of this lays at Bill feet.

 

[BigDFan5]

Funny how you guys think the player is the solution

yes what kind of idiots expect a kicker to be able to, I dont know MAKE EASY KICKS

 

[Bob Sacamano]

yes what kind of idiots expect a kicker to be able to, I dont know MAKE EASY KICKS

 

[BigDFan5]

Funny how the blame is only the kicker's or Hoffman, but you guys are unwilling to talk about the coaching.

Funny you have blamed everyone except Hoffman and the player himself.

Remember, players play the games and coaches are suppose to make the right decisions to ensure the right players is in the right position to be successful. Based on the arguments I have heard this in this thread a certain amount of this lays at Bill feet.

Cundiff missed from the 34 yard line he was in position to be successful yet he missed

 

[wileedog]

...you watch this kid, Brad Gould who Vinatieri, Kasay and Brad Seely have taken under their wing.

He's kicking for the Bears and has been erratic to say the least. Not a good sign when you team has difficulty scoring TDs.

If he kept on the right course he will develop the right density of skin, but right now he doesn't have it. To be truthful he is really only a child in his professional career.

He will be who he is under pressure. No amount of encouragement from afar by other kickers is going to change that.

He will grow up or he won't.

And by the way, why are Vinatieri, Kasay and Brad Seely "taking him under their wing"? Where's the resident kicking coach to make everything allright?

I would be willing to shoot down your Dr. Phil comment with many articles talking about how to properly develop kickers. They range from NCAA manuals to numerous articles on the WWW written by Special Teams Coaches and kicking coaches on how to handle developing kickers.

Most of them don't prescribe to the DeHaven Parcells method. Funny how you guys think the player is the solution.

It's called a TEAM, and that entity is comprised of players, administration, coaches, support staff. No one player walks in like Jesus and delivers wins. It's about the organization and culture you set up.

People make a lot of money writing articles, most of which add up to nothing.

Baseball players often go into slumps. Owners have spent millions trying everything from high-profile coaches, sports psychologists and Voodoo to break these slumps.

And 9 times out of 10 the player gets an infield single and suddenly breaks out of it all on his own.

Most of the time, it really is just all about the player.

If you want a kicker who only cares about the money sign a guy like Janikowski.

I think he cares more about beer. But then, who doesn't?

:beer1:

 

[MapleLeaf]

yes what kind of idiots expect a kicker to be able to, I dont know MAKE EASY KICKS

...the league has had an alarming amount of kicks missed under 40 yards this year. The fields haven't changed, the equipment is the same...


mmm what kind of idiot thinks all kickers in the history of the NFL are perfect from the easy distance?

 

[MapleLeaf]

He will be who he is under pressure. No amount of encouragement from afar by other kickers is going to change that.

He will grow up or he won't.

And by the way, why are Vinatieri, Kasay and Brad Seely "taking him under their wing"? Where's the resident kicking coach to make everything allright?



People make a lot of money writing articles, most of which add up to nothing.

Baseball players often go into slumps. Owners have spent millions trying everything from high-profile coaches, sports psychologists and Voodoo to break these slumps.

And 9 times out of 10 the player gets an infield single and suddenly breaks out of it all on his own.

Most of the time, it really is just all about the player.


I think he cares more about beer. But then, who doesn't?

:beer1:

Dave Toub has aconnection with Brad Seely and Seely still meets with Kasay and Vin in the offseason. Gould approach Seely on Taoub's recommendation in order to learn a more compact kicking motion.

Toub a coverage specialist and has made a league wide name for himself with that. He and Coiner have no kicking experience. They learned their lesson with Edinger and now have decided to get outside help.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

WHo in the world in this thread said they would rather have a non-descript kicker? I sure didn't. I would love to have a guy like Vanderjact(sp) but the reality is that even those guys sometimes lose their stuff and even if they didn't, what is the likelyhood we get someone like that?

But no one on here said they would rather have a mediocre kicker and a good kicking coach. The point is that there is this stupid argument that we shouldn't have the coach. You talk about spending the money. It is a non issue. Jerry Jones loses more money by passing gas than what it would take to hire Hoffman back. Even with the so-called savior of Vandy or Venitieri, what would be the problem with having the coach?

Maybe some folks just like to argue for the sake of arguing when there really is nothing to argue about.

Yeah, let's get a great kicker in here. Let's also get a coach that specializes in kicking so if we need him, we have him. I don't get the resistance at all. It's crazy.

the very reason for Hoffman even being employed with the Cowboys, was so that we could get away with being cheap at the Kicker position, and which we did, so I must assume that since you want Hoffman back, that you guys want to continue to be cheap at the K position, instead of actually investing in someone like a Vinetieri, someone that will be around for a long time, making countless clutch kicks

but I will concede that the only mistake Parcells made in firing Hoffman, was firing him witout a competent kicker around, because all our cheap alternatives need special attention, but I believe that's what Parcells wants, I think he wants to go out and get a real kicker, and there will be some good ones on the market, ones who dont' need a kicking coach

 

[wileedog]

Dave Toub has aconnection with Brad Seely and Seely still meets with Kasay and Vin in the offseason. Gould approach Seely on Taoub's recommendation in order to learn a more compact kicking motion.

Toub a coverage specialist and has made a league wide name for himself with that. He and Coiner have no kicking experience. They learned their lesson with Edinger and now have decided to get outside help.

None of which justifies the need to have a kicking coach around 24/7 to make 'adjustments' in Week 14 of the season. You don't learn a more "compact kicking motion" on Thursday so you can use it in the game on Sunday.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

the very reason for Hoffman even being employed with the Cowboys, was so that we could get away with being cheap at the Kicker position, and which we did, so I must assume that since you want Hoffman back, that you guys want to continue to be cheap at the K position, instead of actually investing in someone like a Vinetieri, someone that will be around for a long time, making countless clutch kicks

but I will concede that the only mistake Parcells made in firing Hoffman, was firing him witout a competent kicker around, because all our cheap alternatives need special attention, but I believe that's what Parcells wants, I think he wants to go out and get a real kicker, and there will be some good ones on the market, ones who dont' need a kicking coach

Don't assume anything. I want both. What's wrong with that?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Don't assume anything. I want both. What's wrong with that?

you just need one, don't need a kicking coach if you have a good kicker

 

[MapleLeaf]

None of which justifies the need to have a kicking coach around 24/7 to make 'adjustments' in Week 14 of the season. You don't learn a more "compact kicking motion" on Thursday so you can use it in the game on Sunday.

...you choose to run your team with turnstile kickers, then you better have someone in place to watch the quality control.

When the kicker isn't "quality" then what do you propose. What if all Parcells gets this season iss another Cortez? Are you going to accept DeHaven's version of kicker qualtiy control?

There is a real possiblity that you won't get what you wish for and we may end up with 2005 all over again. What's your contingency for that?

 

[MapleLeaf]

you just need one, don't need a kicking coach if you have a good kicker

...don't have a good kicker? What if one doesn't show up this upcoming season?

 

[Shaun]

I was so ticked I decided to track him down and see if he was still available. Seems he is still interested in us. Here are the emails. The first was from me:

I just found your website and this email. If you are still available to coach, the Cowboys need you back badly. Firing you was the worst thing they could have done. If it were not for the bad kicking, the Boys would be in the playoffs. Anyway, I just wondered if you were with any other team or not.

Thanks Rob,

A Cowboys fan.

He also included his phone number in the email which shocked me but I will not include it here for obvious reasons.

Steve's reply:

Thanks for the kind thoughts, Rob.



I do consulting work for many NFL and major college teams now, helping out with their kickers, punters, and holders.



Perhaps someday the situation will change in Dallas and I will be able to return to the Cowboys, but for now I will do my best to be a positive influence on kickers and punters around the league and at the college level.

Sincerely,

Steve Hoffman



Let's get him on the phone Jerry. I have his number!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe you should take up a collection and start negotiations.

 

[wileedog]

...you choose to run your team with turnstile kickers, then you better have someone in place to watch the quality control.

When the kicker isn't "quality" then what do you propose. What if all Parcells gets this season iss another Cortez? Are you going to accept DeHaven's version of kicker qualtiy control?

There is a real possiblity that you won't get what you wish for and we may end up with 2005 all over again. What's your contingency for that?

I still haven't seen legitimate proof that a kicking coach makes a real difference.

The sample sizes even for Cundiff are very, very small and not statistically legit. He really could have just had a bad week or two which had nothing to do with a coach here or not.

Cortez sucked before he got here. He sucked after he left. There is no way in heck you can prove that he would have been any different with Hoffman on board.

Prove to me a full time kicking coach makes a difference during the season (not as an offseason consultant), and then maybe you have an arguement.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

...don't have a good kicker? What if one doesn't show up this upcoming season?

we're screwed

cuz even Cundiff with Hoffman was below-average