Rookie Kickers VS 35 Year old Kickers, what do you think ?

[Skooby]

<thead>
Potter had all Touchbacks, no returns & Powell is below:

Buffalo Punting



TOT
YDS
AVG
TB
-20
LG

</thead><tbody>
B. Moorman (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2797/brian-moorman)
5
216
43.2
0
4
49


S. Powell (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/15234/shawn-powell)
4
199
49.8
0
0
55

</tbody><thead>
Team
9
415
46.1
0
4
55

</thead>

[OpIv37]

First, I hate the idea of wasting a roster spot on a kickoff specialist, especially with the rash of injuries that seems to plague this team every year.

That being said, Potter is clearly better at kickoffs than Lindell. And Lindell didn't help himself with that botched 22 yarder. I wouldn't have thought his job was in jeopardy, but maybe it is.

[Bulldog]

Count me in the camp that says Lindell's job may be jeopardy. How did he miss the 22 yarder? I'd like to see Potter kick a few in a game setting before Lindell gets axed. For the record, Moorman isn't going anywhere.

[Forward_Lateral]

Lindell has been damn near automatic for the Bills. He does miss the occasional kick that makes you want to break something, but after seeing the alternatives when he was hurt last year, count me as someone who wants to see him stay.

[mikemac2001]

Powell had more field to boot with also moorman was nailing them inside 20

- - - Updated - - -

also r those net yards?

[Skooby]

Powell had more field to boot with also moorman was nailing them inside 20

- - - Updated - - -

also r those net yards?


Count me in the camp that says Lindell's job may be jeopardy. How did he miss the 22 yarder? I'd like to see Potter kick a few in a game setting before Lindell gets axed. For the record, Moorman isn't going anywhere.

I'm of the mindset that we keep Moorman & move on from Lindell if Potter can be consistent on his FG kicks. The near automatic touchback is like U. Bolt running short distances, it's automatically a best case scenario for winning.

[OpIv37]

Powell will be punting somewhere in the league. Unfortunately, it most likely won't be here. Moorman is still playing too well.

[justasportsfan]

I could be wrong but Lindell is not a very accurate kicker from 40 yards. Potter has the leg to make them. We're already using a spot for a long snapper so why use another on a kick off specialist?




EDIT
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/6/28/3122418/buffalo-bills-rian-lindell-john-potter-kicking-battle

[OpIv37]

btw we haven't seen Potter kick FG's yet.

I'd like to see Gailey give him a chance to kick FG's in a preseason game before making a decision.

[Michael82]

Potter has been made almost all of the fields goals Ive seen at camp. Where Lindell missed the longer ones. I could see Potter making the roster and knocking out one of those special teams players because his kickoffs make the gunners less needed.

[justasportsfan]

btw we haven't seen Potter kick FG's yet.

I'd like to see Gailey give him a chance to kick FG's in a preseason game before making a decision.

One day at camp he made 5-6. His only miss was 57 yds.

[User Manuel]

Potter's kickoffs were awesome! Moorman was excellent as well. Lindell is nt going anywhere, not this year.

[OpIv37]

One day at camp he made 5-6. His only miss was 57 yds.

That's a good sign but I'd like to see him do it in a game situation, even if it is preseason. That's where Lindell has a distinct advantage- he's been in the pressure situations before.

[BertSquirtgum]

Lindell has been damn near automatic for the Bills. He does miss the occasional kick that makes you want to break something, but after seeing the alternatives when he was hurt last year, count me as someone who wants to see him stay.

No he hasn't.

[justasportsfan]

It's only a Chris Brown opinion but could we have a rotation at field goal kicking too? :scratch:


CB: I think Potter could make the roster as a kickoff specialist and kicker on long field goal attempts 55-yards plus. Chan Gailey has made no secret of his feelings about what kind of a weapon he believes Potter can be if he can prove that he can deliver touchbacks with regularity. He basically told me that if Potter can guarantee the opponent is starting in their own 20-yard line every time then it’s worth using a roster spot.

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/08/10/fan-friday-8-10/

[Buddo]

It's only a Chris Brown opinion but could we have a rotation at field goal kicking too? :scratch:





http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/08/10/fan-friday-8-10/

Not so much a rotation, more a case of 'worst case scenario' where we don't manage to get in Lindell's comfort zone.
Potter isn't necessarily to be deemed a 'luxury'. Making the opposition start from their own 20 each time, is good for game planning, and it can save a lot of wear and tear on game days, with guys not having to be so committed to plays on STs.
Not having to cover kickoff returns, will also likely lead to less injuries - something that is not to be ignored.

[Skooby]

Not so much a rotation, more a case of 'worst case scenario' where we don't manage to get in Lindell's comfort zone.
Potter isn't necessarily to be deemed a 'luxury'. Making the opposition start from their own 20 each time, is good for game planning, and it can save a lot of wear and tear on game days, with guys not having to be so committed to plays on STs.
Not having to cover kickoff returns, will also likely lead to less injuries - something that is not to be ignored.

Considering that we usually put the most guys on IR a season, yeah this is real important.

[ddaryl]

I think you let Potter work on FG all year in practice etc.. and Keep Lindell here this year.

If we need to attempt a game winner from 55 yds or a end of half time long shot then let potter have a whack at it

if we never have to worry about kick off returns much then we don't need ot keep players who excel at ST kickoff coverage and can keep players that are better depth then special teams players

[BLeonard]

I could see Potter making the roster and knocking out one of those special teams players because his kickoffs make the gunners less needed.

This is why keeping Potter is not "wasting a roster spot." There's no need to keep a guy just because he's good in kickoff coverage if the opposing team never returns any kicks...

Combine that with the fact that, by having Potter handle kickoffs, it will save Lindell's leg (and body) for FG's only... Remember, Lindell was injured last year on a kickoff return.

Even if Potter doesn't kick every ball into the endzone (but after last night, it looks like he could) Lindell wouldn't be out there on kickoff returns, lessening the chance that he gets hurt again.

-Bill

[ZAZusmc03]

I think you let Potter work on FG all year in practice etc.. and Keep Lindell here this year.

If we need to attempt a game winner from 55 yds or a end of half time long shot then let potter have a whack at it

if we never have to worry about kick off returns much then we don't need ot keep players who excel at ST kickoff coverage and can keep players that are better depth then special teams players

My thoughts, exactly. Essentially we would give Potter someone like Ruvell Martin's roster spot. They love Martin on ST, but if no one is returning the ball against us, he becomes even more expendable than he already was.

[Albany,n.y.]

<thead>
Potter had all Touchbacks, no returns & Powell is below:

Buffalo Punting



TOT
YDS
AVG
TB
-20
LG

</thead><tbody>
B. Moorman (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2797/brian-moorman)
5
216
43.2
0
4
49


S. Powell (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/15234/shawn-powell)
4
199
49.8
0
0
55

</tbody><thead>
Team
9
415
46.1
0
4
55

</thead>

This is one reason I hate it when people try to reduce what happened on the field to black & white numbers. I just finished watching the game & Moorman was flawless, pinning all his punts deep in Redskins territory. If he was punting from the same places Powell was his meaningless stats might have been better.
When you can reduce the game to black & white stats on a piece of paper, films & review of films will be obsolete. Instead, coaches continue to use good old film & show no inclination to change the film room to the stat room.

[Skooby]

This is one reason I hate it when people try to reduce what happened on the field to black & white numbers. I just finished watching the game & Moorman was flawless, pinning all his punts deep in Redskins territory. If he was punting from the same places Powell was his meaningless stats might have been better.
When you can reduce the game to black & white stats on a piece of paper, films & review of films will be obsolete. Instead, coaches continue to use good old film & show no inclination to change the film room to the stat room.

Did you see a missed 22 yard FG by Lindell that mathematically lost us the game or Potter kick out of the end zone for touchbacks? As mentioned earlier, Moorman stays & Potter looks strong as advertised.

[YardRat]

Admittedly I haven't watched the game yet, but based on what I did hear on the radio broadcast, stats, etc...

As long as Moorman is getting decent yardage and dropping balls inside the 20, Powell won't beat him out. If you're going to beat the champ, you've got to smoke him.

Potter has a good chance of making the team. I've gone through roster variations with him on the squad, and off, and there is room for KO specialist but it's going to come at the expense of a 6th CB, a 6th WR (not including Smith), a 4th safety (not including Scott) or a third TE like DD.

[TigerJ]

While some are reasoning that it's foolish to use a roster spot for a kickoff specialist with the history of injuries this team has had, I think the team is reasoning that eliminating returns from the other team will prevent some of those injuries. Unless Nix changes his mind or Chan Gailey convinces hime he needs the roster spot for a specific player, I think the chances are good that Potter sticks. The odds may not favor Powell though.

[jamze132]

Starting the opposing team at the 20 every time is a huge advantage for the defense, which in theory, should give our offense shorter fields to work with as well. Definitely worth a roster spot.

[CoolBreeze]

Its not really wasting a roster spot, since the 1 more was allowed to dress for games last year. It was for situations like this. Potter needs to prove he can kick FG in game situations, but he may very well make this roster. Cutting Lindell would save a fair amount of $$$$ too.

[YardRat]

Unless Potter implodes in the next 3 games, he will make the team.

Here is a sample roster with Potter not on the final 53. Who would you boot to make room for him? Not saying I disagree with you, BTW, but Potter's spot will probably be one of the last determined and somebody is going to have to go to make room.

QB-Fitzpatrick/VINCE YOUNG/B.Smith (3)
RB-Jackson/Spiller/Choice (3)
FB-McIntyre (1)
WR-Stevie/Jones/TJ GRAHAM/Nelson/Hagan/ (5)
TE-Chandler/Smith/Dorin Dickerson (3)
T-Hairston/Pears/CORDY GLENN/Zebrie Sanders(4)
G-Levitre/Urbick/Rhinehart (3)
C-Wood/Brown (2)

K-Lindell(1)
P-Moorman (1)
LS-Sanborn (1)


DE-Kelsay/MARIO WILLIAMS/MARK ANDERSON/Moore/Merriman (5)
DT-Williams/Dareus/Edwards/Carrington (4)
OLB-Barnett/Moats/Morrison/NIGEL BRADHAM(4)
ILB-Sheppard/TANK CARDER (2)
CB-Williams/STEPHON GILMORE/McGee/Rogers/McKelvin/RON BROOKS (6)
SS-Wilson/Searcy/Scott (3)
FS-Byrd/FA or Saenz (2)

Just FYI, my last version had the back-up FS position vacant, with that spot available possible for Potter.

[Skooby]

Dwan Edwards might get cut, he's earning way too much for doing very little.

[kishoph]

Moorman has been very good for the Bills, yet he is getting older and has been less consistent, last season he had some of his highest numbers in returns and touchbacks and was also below his average of punts downed inside the 20. Shawn Powell was arguably the best punter in college last season and has a booming leg. I don't know if Moorman is done yet, but I would hate to see Powell get away from the Bills. The same goes for Lindell and Potter, Lindell has been solid for the Bills, while I'm not sure about Potter's FG kicking, his kickoffs are an asset and is worth a roster spot over someone that will never see the field, other than on ST's. Keep both Lindell and Potter on for the year and see how Potter handles some FG's. The time is going to come when both Moorman and Lindell will be gone, I think we have two possible long term replacements now. Do the Bills take the chance ?

[YardRat]

Saenz, Moore, and DD all are worth less than a kicker that can pin the opposing offense at the 20 EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I don't think many people realize just how beneficial that would be.

But which one, specifically, would you replace?

Saenz, and go with three safeties and a hybrid S/Lber?
Moore, and go with 4 DE's, 8 dline total?
Dickerson, and go with only 2 TE's?

[YardRat]

Moorman has been very good for the Bills, yet he is getting older and has been less consistent, last season he had some of his highest numbers in returns and touchbacks and was also below his average of punts downed inside the 20. Shawn Powell was arguably the best punter in college last season and has a booming leg. I don't know if Moorman is done yet, but I would hate to see Powell get away from the Bills. The same goes for Lindell and Potter, Lindell has been solid for the Bills, while I'm not sure about Potter's FG kicking, his kickoffs are an asset and is worth a roster spot over someone that will never see the field, other than on ST's. Keep both Lindell and Potter on for the year and see how Potter handles some FG's. The time is going to come when both Moorman and Lindell will be gone, I think we have two possible long term replacements now. Do the Bills take the chance ?

I think they have to pass on Powell for this year. Potter they could have room for.

[YardRat]

Saenz, Moore, and DD all are worth less than a kicker that can pin the opposing offense at the 20 EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I don't think many people realize just how beneficial that would be.

If they do keep him, he damn well better be close to 100% touchbacks (barring onsides attempts or KO's intended to be returned). :D