Let’s call this a blind taste test, if you will. Below are the stats for two different punters:
Punter A: 29 punts, 41.3 yard average, 31.8 yard net, 6 touchbacks, 4 inside-the-20, 55 long
Punter B: 26 punts, 39.6 yard average, 32.1 yard net, 0 touchbacks, 9 inside-the-20, 60 long
If you didn’t sniff out a trick question from the beginning, it should be obvious by now. Punter A is Ryan Plackemeier during his Redskins tenure. Punter B is Durant Brooks, who was waived due to poor performance. Both have extremely comparable stats (Plack is a hair longer, Brooks was better inside the 20).
I think you could make a semi-fair case that Plackemeier has suffered some tough breaks. I can think of at least three instances off the top of my head where balls should have been downed inside the two-yard line but were touchbacks. But even if you give him those, the two punters are still awfully comparable. One key difference is potential. Plackemeier is a few years into his NFL career, while Brooks still has room to grow.
One very safe conclusion here is that next year, more than one punter will be a part of training camp. Oh, and the Redskins won’t use a draft pick on one.
Michael Phillips
December 04, 2008 9:30 AM
The video is now online. Paul “the wrath of” Woody and myself analyze this weekend’s Redskins-Ravens game, and so much more.
Check it out right here.
Michael Phillips
December 04, 2008 7:52 AM
On tap today: we’ll be delving a little bit deeper into some of the statistics and personalities around this Redskins team, as well as the latest injury report from the Thursday practice.
Today’s article in the T-D centers around this “Beltway Battle” that somehow mythically exists. I understand that in baseball the Nationals and Orioles can be rivals—they play every year, Peter Angelos tried to keep DC from getting a team, etc. But in football…no way. Give me Redskins-Cowboys any day.
The players seem to feel likewise, though there was minor dissent over how many Redskins fans will be in Baltimore on Sunday. I’m guessing it will be a decent number, enough to be heard but not enough to be seen. The magnitude of the game will probably keep most of the Ravens fans in their seats.
Jeff White
December 04, 2008 12:05 AM
Darryl Slater
December 03, 2008 8:04 PM
... from the Wisconsin game
Michael Phillips
December 03, 2008 4:22 PM
Coach Jim Zorn was impressed by the Ravens defense after watching film of the unit, saying they were among the best in football. He added that their defense also plays offense, as they’ve been scoring lots of points this year.
He also said that he’s using Chris Cooley more effectively than he did at the start of the season, and anticipates his touchdown numbers rising as the team’s offense begins to score more points.
Final injury update: London Fletcher will continue to rest his foot this week, ditto on Clinton Portis’ neck. Neither is ruled out of Sunday’s game, though, and Zorn remains optimistic about both. Andre Carter’s foot is still sore, but expected to be better as the week progresses. Shawn Springs will probably be OK, but Zorn wants to make sure he’s 100 percent because he is an “extreme player.“ Kedric Golston’s bone spurs are doing better, and Alfred Fincher is away dealing with a personal situation in Louisiana.
Michael Phillips
December 03, 2008 2:58 PM
Cornelius Griffin and Kedric Golston both practicing for the Redskins today. Andre Carter is out but was on the field with his unit, as was Clinton Portis. London Fletcher was not on the practice fields. Shawn Springs did not appear to be participating with the secondary.
The weather has improved from last week, which made the players a little bit more talkative out on the field today. We’ll get a report from coach Jim Zorn in an hour or so.
Darryl Slater
December 03, 2008 1:56 PM
... from Monday’s gut-wrenching loss to Wisconsin
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