What happens to our kickers?

At 6'1" and 216 lbs. I wouldn't expect him to contribute much at LB with all the size and talent in front of him. Might participate some at safety but I'm not sure of his speed/quickness for the position.

Coach Saban stated, at one of the Nick at Noon luncheons, that you can only carry two kickers on scholarship. If that's the case, one of our current kickers would be out of a scholarship.

I know what you're saying but IF you have a kicker who is consistent from 50+ and one who gets a little iffy beyond 40, well......

And then there is the kickoff situation. The ability to put it in the back of the end zone is a no-brainer. IMO. (if AG can do that)

I don't see Cade making a move to LB. Although knowing how much he loves contact and having watched him play at South Lake I think he would jump at the chance to be a on the field in any capacity hitting someone.

Our kickers is the one area of concern I have when it comes to our staff's development ability and I am not referring to missed FG in the LSU game. I want to make that clear, this has nothing to do with that one game nor is it meant to be negative on the kickers. This is the one area I really wonder about. Is it something in the S&C program? Are they putting on too much muscle? Are they not maintaining their limberness? Are they developing the wrong muscle groups? Is it something other than the S&C? Is it a change in form? Is it all mental?

My questions are primarily based on Cade, but also apply to the kicker that went back to Virginia (?) I think it was Virginia. But mostly on the fact that I saw Cade kick the ball out the back of the endzone in high school. Now he regularly doesn't make it inside the 10 and almost falls down every time he kicks.

Thoughts?

bamakeeb said:

Not sure if Shelley us on scholarship, or not. Pretty sure he was a walk-on at first. Contrary to rumors, I don't think Sanan cuts players. I think he's honest in explaining their future. AG still has to prove it on the field, you know.

I was wondering if people felt Foster could contribute at LB. He's pretty good a kick coverage already. I think there's a place for him.

Click to expand...

I doubt it... with the size and depth we have at that position I think it would be tough for him see the field at that position. We get the best LB prospects nearly every year so it would be very difficult for a kicker to cross over and take one of their spots.

Dallas4Bama said:

I don't see Cade making a move to LB. Although knowing how much he loves contact and having watched him play at South Lake I think he would jump at the chance to be a on the field in any capacity hitting someone.

Our kickers is the one area of concern I have when it comes to our staff's development ability and I am not referring to missed FG in the LSU game. I want to make that clear, this has nothing to do with that one game nor is it meant to be negative on the kickers. This is the one area I really wonder about. Is it something in the S&C program? Are they putting on too much muscle? Are they not maintaining their limberness? Are they developing the wrong muscle groups? Is it something other than the S&C? Is it a change in form? Is it all mental?

My questions are primarily based on Cade, but also apply to the kicker that went back to Virginia (?) I think it was Virginia. But mostly on the fact that I saw Cade kick the ball out the back of the endzone in high school. Now he regularly doesn't make it inside the 10 and almost falls down every time he kicks.

Thoughts?

Click to expand...

Corey Smith went back to his home state of West Virginia, where he plays for the Mountaineers. He's been doing kickoffs and punting, but somebody else is kicking field goals.

Foster could contribute on any team in America, at LB...


Except for The University of Alabama.

They compete for their spot just like every other position.

Kevin4Bama said:

Coach Saban stated, at one of the Nick at Noon luncheons, that you can only carry two kickers on scholarship. If that's the case, one of our current kickers would be out of a scholarship.

Click to expand...

I'd never heard that before. Is that a NCAA rule or a personal rule?

JeffAtlanta said:

I'd never heard that before. Is that a NCAA rule or a personal rule?

Click to expand...

They way he stated it, is that it's an NCAA rule, but I wouldn't know personally.

Watched AG in the Ga St Championship game, Kid has mucho leg. Gets FG's up quickly, and looks to have lots of distance. On KO, looks like he was putting enough on them to get to the College Goal line, but don't think they were long enough to warrant TB's tho. Watched his camp high lights too, and he does put the ball HIGH in the air and can get to the Goal Posts from a very long way away (was kicking off the ground at the camps).

I remember that Cade was supposed to be the savior when he got here, and there was another kid (Christian Kaufmann, I believe) from Tenn who had an academic scholly, could punt and kick both and came in highly touted. Never heard anything about him after the headlines leading into Spring?... have to wonder what happened? (Found his Linkedn Page " I have had unique experiences, such as playing football for the number 1 team in America," He is now studying accounting at UT back home in K'ville. No indication of when he left team but never found him on any roster)

Can only hope AG IS the savior for the kicking game, and wouldn't it be great if we got a punter who could average 40+ yards and drop them inside the 20 on a consistent basis. Dont wish to bang on guys who are doing a fairly good job, but the yardage lost to the punting duels well, appreciate a good walk on, but would love a Better walk on.

Bamabuzzard said:

I'm not sure how the kickers are coached within our program. But I know the impact of a good FG, kick-off man, punter and field position. Look no further than LSU 2011. WOW! It can set the stage to change the direction and flow of a game. Our defense is able to be a lot more agressive when an opposing offense begins at their own 20 yd line rather than their 35-40 yd line.

Click to expand...

I agree our defense was put in some situations that could have been better because of some kicks, But they done well so it would be a big help to have somebody step up get some more depth on kicks.

cbi1972 said:

Corey Smith went back to his home state of West Virginia, where he plays for the Mountaineers. He's been doing kickoffs and punting, but somebody else is kicking field goals.

Click to expand...

Yes, that's the one I was trying to think of. It's my understanding he is doing very well there on KO and punt duties. I remember thinking when he came in that between he and Cade we would be incredible in the kicking game. Then one struggled and left, then improved once he left. The other, Cade, has gotten less and less distance on his kick offs. I do wonder at times if Cade gets so jacked up about hitting someone he rushes his kicks. Everyone loves a highlight hit Cade, but what we love more are touch backs and balls inside the 5.

Cade started at LB for South Lake. If needed, I'm sure he could make the switch. I don't see him being needed, though. Shelley was a walk-on. Jay Williams is on scholarship as punter.