We have a dedicated special teams coach this year for the first time ever. Jeff Long, I think. He came from A&M last year.Who coaches the punters and kickers? Seem like players always gets worst when they get to Alabama.
I think right now it's his confidence that's lacking in the game.-- Saban said punter Skyler DeLong was really good in practice last week but that his confidence in the game is not where it needs to be right now.
The new special teams coach this year is Jeff Banks. He did come Texas A&M.We have a dedicated special teams coach this year for the first time ever. Jeff Long, I think. He came from A&M last year.
So that was a big change to help special teams. Our punters have usually been fine, as have our coverage and return abilities and kickoff abilities. Just place-kicking really - and now apparently punting.
I completely agree!I said this after the Louisville game and I still believe it: he’s got stage fright.
He either can’t block out the noise, or he’s overwhelmed by being on TV, the number of people present (and watching) and the knowledge that he’s under a microscope.
I saw it in his eyes in the Louisville game; only time I saw him Saturday after his last punt he was walking to the sidelines with his head down - all the way.
He needs a shrink, and fast; this isn’t going to magically get better on its own and it’s obviously not a skill problem. It’s a head problem.
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Banks was VERY well regarded by A&M's former punter Shane Tripuka who I've met several times at a friends house. (Trust me the Kevin "Rumlin" rumors were true... He probably liked the bottle more than Sark or Joey Freshwater.) After it was announced Banks was going to BAMA, he texted my friends son "Jimbo screwed up letting Banks go."The new special teams coach this year is Jeff Banks. He did come Texas A&M.
Agree 100%.I said this after the Louisville game and I still believe it: he’s got stage fright.
He either can’t block out the noise, or he’s overwhelmed by being on TV, the number of people present (and watching) and the knowledge that he’s under a microscope.
I saw it in his eyes in the Louisville game; only time I saw him Saturday after his last punt he was walking to the sidelines with his head down - all the way.
He needs a shrink, and fast; this isn’t going to magically get better on its own and it’s obviously not a skill problem. It’s a head problem.
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The current kicker commit from Hoover does placekicking and punting. Would be nice if Bulovas and DeLong become consistent enough to be able to redshirt him. Not sure if that'll happen, though.Banks was VERY well regarded by A&M's former punter Shane Tripuka who I've met several times at a friends house. (Trust me the Kevin "Rumlin" rumors were true... He probably liked the bottle more than Sark or Joey Freshwater.) After it was announced Banks was going to BAMA, he texted my friends son "Jimbo screwed up letting Banks go."
One thing Banks typically did not have at aTm was a freshman punter. I expect him to try and bring in punter who they Redshirt next year so that we get in a pattern of punters winning the job their Jr year. I'd expect Cochran will also put about 20-30 pounds on DeLong helping with his leg strength and distance. It is kind of ridiculous to think punting is our weakest link.