The Buehler Effect

[EPL0c0]

Meh, Buehler will be far more valuable for this season than a 3rd QB would be.

Not to say that I would rather not have McGee because I actually like that Dallas has invested a little into the QB position. Sort of makes it worth it to use that spot and sure beats the hell out of pulling scraps off the "can't hack it" pile and wasting a spot on them.

As much as he needs the reps and practice time, McGee to IR could come in handy if the team finds itself in a bind.

I agree, I think McGee's a guy we can't risk hitting waivers. IMO he's shown more upside than any other 3rd stringer since 2003. I'm not saying he's NFL starting QB caliber, maybe he can develop into it, maybe not, but he's somebody worth taking the time to develop. If Jerry can spend (waste) 2+yrs on Stanback, I think 2years on McGee is OK.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Before every kickoff, i have to sit up and yell BEEEEEELLLLLLEERRRRRR!!!!

He needs a nickname btw.

 

[burmafrd]

Word is that Buehler will be given the OK to boom it all the time instead of having to let the cover teams get some work as in preseason. I can see 60% Touchbacks in good weather or inside. Even the ones that get returned they are going to be starting probably a good 10 yds farther back then when Folk was kicking off. That adds up over a season.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Before every kickoff, i have to sit up and yell BEEEEEELLLLLLEERRRRRR!!!!

He needs a nickname btw.

nicknames are for the weak

are you calling him weak?

 

[JonJon]

I actually thought he would have a higher percentage of touchbacks based upon what he did in college, but I won't complain.
This is w/o the wedge, so I would need to compare what other teams kickoff stats are looking like.

He was told not to kick it in the endzone on some kicks so that the coaches could evaluate the coverage unit.

 

[sonnyboy]

Last year, our kickoff team ranked 29th in opponents' average starting field position (29.3), 32nd in touchback percentage (zero), 31st in percentage of kickoffs reaching the end zone (10.4 percent) and 10th in percentage of times the opponent started inside its 20 (16.9 percent).

So far this preseason, Buehler has kicked off deep 11 times. Our opponents' average starting line is their 23.4, which would have ranked No. 1 last season by more than a yard. His kickoffs have reached the end zone seven times -- or 63.6 percent, which easily would have ranked No. 1 last season. He's had three touchbacks -- or 27.2 percent, which would have ranked No. 4 last season. (One more touchback would put him at No. 1.) And our opponents have started inside their own 20 three times -- or 27.2 percent, which also would have ranked No. 1 last season.

In other words, if our kickoff team performs during the season the exact same way it has in the preseason, we should go from having one of the worst kickoff teams to having what likely would be the best kickoff team in the NFL.

Great Post Adam. I've always been an advocate of having a KO specialist. Provided of course he actually is a significant upgrade over your current FG kicker.

The argument against a KO specialist and the wasted roster spot makes as much sense as the argument against having a punting specialist.

There was a time when most NFL teams had no punting specialists. I'm sure when it first started to spread, fans argued the merits and bemoaned the lost roster spot.

Over time is was proven out that the benefits in field position gained warranted the roster spot.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Loving it!

Adam, do you have the stat for average number of times each team kicks off each game? I'm guessing it is 4-6 times.

If we net an average of 5-10 yards better per kick-off, then we are talking about an average of 20 - 40 yards of field position a game.

Imagine how much longer opponent drives have to be to earn back that yardage. Parcells would claim that is 2-3 points of scoring in field position at least!

Having a back-up field goal guy, and the fact that this guy is learning other roles too remains a bonus. I am still in the camp of "he is worth the roster spot" even if "only" 1 of 3 kickoffs is a touchback (I absolutely love that he is hitting about 70% into the endzone, and they aren't line drives either, they have some hang time).

Starting to look like the most impactful draft pick for sure (I think or new Lbers have some talent when they get healthy and seasoned).

LarryCanadian

 

[Yeagermeister]

I think he is the sausage king of Chicago or something.

And plays a mean Clarinet without ever taking lessons.

 

[gimmesix]

Considering that we have also been mixing in a lot of young players on kickoff coverage, the unit should improve with more experience together and more famliarity with what DeCamillas is asking them to do.

 

[peplaw06]

I actually thought he would have a higher percentage of touchbacks based upon what he did in college, but I won't complain.
This is w/o the wedge, so I would need to compare what other teams kickoff stats are looking like.

The wedge would only make a difference in returned kicks. It's not going to affect the percentage of touchbacks.... unless it makes it for some reason go up because the returners are being more cautious. But I wouldn't think that they would be all that cautious at this point, until they start to realize that they're not going to get as far.

 

[28 Joker]

Man, those kickoff stats for 2008 are bloody disgraceful.

Things do appear to be on the uptick, though.

Now, if our special teams will only make routine plays and show discipline and make the plays when they are in a position to do so, things should get tougher for the other team.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Something nobody has brought up yet - you gotta feel sorry for the football. Can you imagine just sitting there on a tee knowing Buehler is getting ready to kick you as hard as he can right in the gut?

 

[proline]

Something nobody has brought up yet - you gotta feel sorry for the football. Can you imagine just sitting there on a tee knowing Buehler is getting ready to kick you as hard as he can right in the gut?

Footballs consider it the highest honor to be kicked by Buehler. However, footballs kicked by Buehler for onside kicks usually deflate themselves because of the shame of not being considered worthy for a true Buehler kickoff.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Last year, our kickoff team ranked 29th in opponents' average starting field position (29.3), 32nd in touchback percentage (zero), 31st in percentage of kickoffs reaching the end zone (10.4 percent) and 10th in percentage of times the opponent started inside its 20 (16.9 percent).

So far this preseason, Buehler has kicked off deep 11 times. Our opponents' average starting line is their 23.4, which would have ranked No. 1 last season by more than a yard. His kickoffs have reached the end zone seven times -- or 63.6 percent, which easily would have ranked No. 1 last season. He's had three touchbacks -- or 27.2 percent, which would have ranked No. 4 last season. (One more touchback would put him at No. 1.) And our opponents have started inside their own 20 three times -- or 27.2 percent, which also would have ranked No. 1 last season.

In other words, if our kickoff team performs during the season the exact same way it has in the preseason, we should go from having one of the worst kickoff teams to having what likely would be the best kickoff team in the NFL.

wow......this is great information and the best thread in a long time!

I love this kicker........