The Kicking Game

GTRambler

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This guy:
giphy.gif
It’s him! Georgia Tech’s kicking coach! Yes! Absolutely, it’s him! LOL
 

Augusta_Jacket

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You’d think there would be some nerdy soccer geek squirreled away in the library that would jump at the chance for a $50k scholarship just to kick the damn ball 3-4 times per game. With 35k students I’d say the odds are pretty high.

My understanding is that none of the kickers save Harvin are scholarship athletes. Last year we had two scholarship kickers in addition to Harvin, but both left the program. I am unsure if CGC simply didn't see a scholarship worthy PK in the 2020 class or if he is of the mindset to not offer PKs scholarships and instead use walk ons. A lot of factories go this route. If so, it will be one of the few areas I disagree with him on so far. Having a reliable kicker is huge. Through recent GT history, some of our biggest games have come down to the kicker, and guys like Sisson, Bell, Manget, Blair, and Butker have been clutch when we needed it. Our 2017 season opener against Tennessee was lost because a new walk on kicker had the shanks. Hopefully we find our guy soon either here in the group we have or as a recruit this year. I like the idea of a "win a scholarship kicking contest" though.
 

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My understanding is that none of the kickers save Harvin are scholarship athletes. Last year we had two scholarship kickers in addition to Harvin, but both left the program. I am unsure if CGC simply didn't see a scholarship worthy PK in the 2020 class or if he is of the mindset to not offer PKs scholarships and instead use walk ons. A lot of factories go this route. If so, it will be one of the few areas I disagree with him on so far. Having a reliable kicker is huge. Through recent GT history, some of our biggest games have come down to the kicker, and guys like Sisson, Bell, Manget, Blair, and Butker have been clutch when we needed it. Our 2017 season opener against Tennessee was lost because a new walk on kicker had the shanks. Hopefully we find our guy soon either here in the group we have or as a recruit this year. I like the idea of a "win a scholarship kicking contest" though.

Kickers have materially impacted every single game so far. Florida State shouldn’t have been that close, and we were within 1 score of UCF and Syracuse heading into the 4th quarter. Missing kicks costs us points, and having to go for difficult 4th down plays instead of taking points also takes points off the board. This year looks like plenty of previous ones where we will find ourselves in close games against 4-6 teams and it really hurts your chances to win if you’re missing out on 3-6 points per game because of your kicker.
 

Augusta_Jacket

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Kickers have materially impacted every single game so far. Florida State shouldn’t have been that close, and we were within 1 score of UCF and Syracuse heading into the 4th quarter. Missing kicks costs us points, and having to go for difficult 4th down plays instead of taking points also takes points off the board. This year looks like plenty of previous ones where we will find ourselves in close games against 4-6 teams and it really hurts your chances to win if you’re missing out on 3-6 points per game because of your kicker.

Agree.
 

smokey_wasp

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My understanding is that none of the kickers save Harvin are scholarship athletes. Last year we had two scholarship kickers in addition to Harvin, but both left the program. I am unsure if CGC simply didn't see a scholarship worthy PK in the 2020 class or if he is of the mindset to not offer PKs scholarships and instead use walk ons. A lot of factories go this route. If so, it will be one of the few areas I disagree with him on so far. Having a reliable kicker is huge. Through recent GT history, some of our biggest games have come down to the kicker, and guys like Sisson, Bell, Manget, Blair, and Butker have been clutch when we needed it. Our 2017 season opener against Tennessee was lost because a new walk on kicker had the shanks. Hopefully we find our guy soon either here in the group we have or as a recruit this year. I like the idea of a "win a scholarship kicking contest" though.

It seems like the plan this year was to throw a bunch of walk-ons in there to compete, but given that we have a punter committed in the 2021 class, I suppose CGC isn't against giving scholarships to specialists. Granted, punters are probably easier to project than place kickers.
 

Augusta_Jacket

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It seems like the plan this year was to throw a bunch of walk-ons in there to compete, but given that we have a punter committed in the 2021 class, I suppose CGC isn't against giving scholarships to specialists. Granted, punters are probably easier to project than place kickers.

I think this particular punter was too good to pass up. Don't know if I want GT to become "Punter U" but we might just have back to back generational talents at the position.
 

4shotB

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This year looks like plenty of previous ones where we will find ourselves in close games against 4-6 teams and it really hurts your chances to win if you’re missing out on 3-6 points per game because of your kicker.

I think the stress and strain of knowing you can't make 3 points easily puts an undue burden on the offense that makes it even worse than it otherwise might be. To me, it's equivalent in golf knowing that I am playing someone where I know I need to make nothing but pars and birdies to win or I have to hit a tee shot that carries over 225 yards. I am less inclined to make birdies/hit my best drives under the duress of needing to do so. I think our offenses over the last several years have operated under the same burden. 7 points or bust makes offenses less efficient.
 
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4shotB

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or record for most blocked or lowest % made?

Or simply, what is the record for lowest kick? we may have set that last week when their guy blocked the kick with his belly button while standing flat footed too. At 12 inches from the kicker's foot a spider would have had to duck to crawl underneath that kick.

ETA: I once hit a pitching wedge like that. I was 10 yards from the pin and the ball went 150 yards, which is about how far I can hit a 7 iron.
 

Techster

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I am never going to understand what happened with Wesley Wells. The guy was perfect on FGs and XPs his first season, and basically not used the second season save for one field goal attempt and some XPs which he made 6/7. Anyone want to take that percentage on XPs right now?

I get that coaches go off practice, but I know what I saw in real games. King was what we saw for his entire career...inconsistent. I am not sure what the coaches saw in practice, but to only give Wells one FG attempt last year was beyond mind boggling. Now we're struggling to even make XPs. Athletes have a bad spell, but they don't just fall off the map barring injury or other issues. Wesley wasn't really given the opportunity to even get on the map.

If coaches can swallow their pride, Wells is still at GT for another 2 season...he's just a normal student now.
 

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I am never going to understand what happened with Wesley Wells. The guy was perfect on FGs and XPs his first season, and basically not used the second season save for one field goal attempt and some XPs which he made 6/7. Anyone want to take that percentage on XPs right now?

I get that coaches go off practice, but I know what I saw in real games. King was what we saw for his entire career...inconsistent. I am not sure what the coaches saw in practice, but to only give Wells one FG attempt last year was beyond mind boggling. Now we're struggling to even make XPs. Athletes have a bad spell, but they don't just fall off the map barring injury or other issues. Wesley wasn't really given the opportunity to even get on the map.

If coaches can swallow their pride, Wells is still at GT for another 2 season...he's just a normal student now.

Yep, had never missed a kick - was the most accurate kicker in the entire ACC in 2018, then we benched him. 👨‍🎨
 
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