K Connor Hughes Signed

LKelley67 · 05-01-2006, 04:44 PM

I appreciate whatever good Carney contributed. It is quite an exciting out with the old and in with the new transformation going on though! I would rather a strong legged yougster with upside than to have to watch Carney continue to decline. Pullin' for ya Connor!

With Bush-N-Brees onboard doncha think there is some great positive momo on what is happening here. Players will want to come here as a first choice to get on the train of opportunity on the way to success.

BrooksMustGo · 05-01-2006, 04:44 PM

John was a really great kicker. We just can't count on him to deliver the game. It's time for a change at the position. If the kid has some range and keeps cool under pressure then I'm pleased.

papz · 05-01-2006, 05:58 PM

Love the pickup... Hughes has a powerful leg. He needs to work on his accuracy a bit but I love his upside.

LivnaLieTimay · 05-01-2006, 06:01 PM

Yeah, I like the pick also. Some people were calling for us to get a kicker in the 7th round, looks like we got one without using a draft pick. Carney was good a couple years ago but his time is past and we need to move on.

TheDeuce · 05-01-2006, 06:17 PM

Here's a little scouting report on him:

Strengths: He is as good as it gets from inside 40 yards. He is quick to strike and gets the ball off quickly with a compact motion. He shows good mechanics on shorter kicks and is very consistent. Gets the ball up high initially and does a great job of avoiding blocked kicks. He is a four-year starter with excellent experience in the ACC. Has five career field goals over 50 yards. Hughes is intelligent and a high character guy.
Weaknesses: Was inconsistent outside of 40 yards before the 2005 season. Has adequate-to-good leg strength but not elite. Tends to overcompensate on deep attempts and will change his mechanics. He does not possess the ideal leg strength or consistency to kickoff in the NFL, but did handle those duties for four seasons at Virginia. Very small, lacks strength and offers little chance of making a tackle of any sort or of any use in fake kicks or trick plays.

Overall: Hughes rotated at the PK position as a true freshman in 2002. As a sophomore in 2003, he made all 40 extra points and 23 of 25 field goals to earn second-team All-American. He also made three 50-yard field goal attempts that season. As a junior in 2004, he connected on 17 of 24 field goals and also missed three of his 45 extra point attempts. He scored 99 points in 2005. He was a perfect 36/36 on extra points and went 21 of 24 on his field goals, including hitting five of six from outside of forty yards. Hughes is the most accurate and consistent place kicker in the nation. He was not as consistent on deep kicks in 2004 as he was in 2003, but he rebounded in a big way in 2005 to reestablish himself as one of the top kicker prospects for the 2006 draft.

Few things:

Love that he's accurate. I would prefer a guy who is accurate but can't kick it 60 yards over a guy who can kick it out of the stadium but doesn't know where it's going.

Also, high character guy? Anybody notice a trend?

papz · 05-01-2006, 06:54 PM

Scouting report is kind of weird... I've seen him make numerous of 60 yard kicks during warmups. 40 yards in he's very good... outside of that he's a little iffy.

saintswhodi · 05-01-2006, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by papz

Scouting report is kind of weird... I've seen him make numerous of 60 yard kicks during warmups. 40 yards in he's very good... outside of that he's a little iffy.

Where did he go to school? Maybe the dome will help him.

papz · 05-01-2006, 07:00 PM

At Virginia... Domes are kickers' best friends.

LKelley67 · 05-01-2006, 11:21 PM

more-
Strengths:
Has a pretty strong leg with range beyond 50 yards...Was very reliable and consistent...Doesn't miss the short ones...Experienced and a four-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Accuracy beyond 40 yards gets a little dodgy...Mechanics on longer kicks change for the worse...Is not very big...Probably won't be able to kick-off in the pros.

Notes:
Career long is a 50-yarder which he attained five times...Went 66 for 79 (84%) in his career on field goals...A solid player who makes the kicks he is supposed to.

LKelley67 · 05-01-2006, 11:25 PM

Height: 5'10
Weight: 172lbs.
College: Virginia
Bio: Best kicker in this years draft. Known mostly for his accuracy but can also hit the long ball when called upon. Will mostly likely find his name being called on day one.

What kind of exercises do you do to help strengthen your kicking leg?
I run some and all throughout college I just did the same weight program as the rest of the team. Other than that nothing special. I feel I have been truly blessed by God and put in the situations that He has had in store for me. To kick well is to praise His Name for me. Colossians 3:17

What goes through your head just before you make a kick?
Well just before I take the kick I just make sure I line up right and right before I kick I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t think much of anything goes through my head. But after the ball comes off of my foot and I know it is in I usually look away before I even see the ball go through the posts.

What's the worst kind of weather to kick in?
Windy. No doubt. Rain isnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t as bad as wind.

What's the longest field goat you've ever made in a game?
I made a 53 yarder once or twice. Its also the longest I have ever attempted. I made it against Wake Forest my sophomore year to tie the game up in the last minute. Then was blessed again by getting the chance to win the game with seconds left.

What would you say is the strongest aspect of your game....your strong leg or accuracy?
I would say accuracy. I feel I have a pretty strong leg. Strong enough to make long field goals, but many kickers have a strong leg. So I think accuracy has separated me from others throughout college.

Can you handle kick off duties in the NFL?
I definitely feel I can. At UVA we always had Kurt Smith who was great at kickoffs. It is not that I couldn'tÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t do it but that the team benefited most by him handling the duties. I am confident I will be able to kickoff in the NFL. It was one of my favorite things to do in High School but I only got a chance to do it once in a game here at UVA.

Of all the missed field goals in your career is there one you wish you could have back more than any other?
I would have to say there is. The one this year I missed against North Carolina. It was an easy kick and it would have really helped the team. But in retrospect it taught me a lot about being a really good and really accurate kicker. SO I wouldn'tÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t take it back as much as I wish I had made it.

Do you prefer to have a QB hold for you or a punter?, and how important is the kicker/holder relationship?
I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t really care between the two of them. I want the best holder possible to hold it for me. If it is an Offensive Guard, then let him do it. The relationship I do fell is pretty important and I have had a great relationship with both guys who held for me here at UVA- Matt Schaub and John Phillips. The other relationship people overlook is that of the long snapper and holder. That is huge as well. It is great to have a really solid unit like Tyrus Gardner and John Phillips.

Is there really any excuse for a kicker to miss an extra point, assuming its not blocked or there's a bad snap?
I guess if you are in the middle of a hurricane

How did you become a kicker?
I made a deal with one of my friends and teammates in high school Kase Luzar. If I kicked for the football team he would play goalkeeper for the soccer team. I was a freshman and he was a senior and so I did it along the lines that if I wasnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t terrible I would do it and He ended up running track in the spring instead.
I was not happy

Do you have any rituals you go through before making a kick or while warming up for a game?
Not really. I make sure I am warmed up by a short run and kick some longer ones to warm up.

Did you see Doug Flutie's drop kick extra point, and would you ever consider changing your style?
HAHA. Yeah I saw it on Sports Center and I was impressed. I have messed around a little bit with it in practice but nothing for real. It seems a little tougher than how I do it.

Do you like the feeling of having the game on your shoulders if you are about to make a big kick?
Yes. I think you have to if you want to be successful in this business. I just think it is such a blessing and opportunity to help your team and also by making it to reward the team for their hard work with a win.

And finally Connor, who gets more women, punters or kickers?
I would think kickers because of the chance to have the last say in the game (I have heard that chicks dig the long ball) But I guess it hasnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t worked out that way for me.

05-01-2006, 06:17 PM	#15
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928	Here's a little scouting report on him: Strengths: He is as good as it gets from inside 40 yards. He is quick to strike and gets the ball off quickly with a compact motion. He shows good mechanics on shorter kicks and is very consistent. Gets the ball up high initially and does a great job of avoiding blocked kicks. He is a four-year starter with excellent experience in the ACC. Has five career field goals over 50 yards. Hughes is intelligent and a high character guy. Weaknesses: Was inconsistent outside of 40 yards before the 2005 season. Has adequate-to-good leg strength but not elite. Tends to overcompensate on deep attempts and will change his mechanics. He does not possess the ideal leg strength or consistency to kickoff in the NFL, but did handle those duties for four seasons at Virginia. Very small, lacks strength and offers little chance of making a tackle of any sort or of any use in fake kicks or trick plays. Overall: Hughes rotated at the PK position as a true freshman in 2002. As a sophomore in 2003, he made all 40 extra points and 23 of 25 field goals to earn second-team All-American. He also made three 50-yard field goal attempts that season. As a junior in 2004, he connected on 17 of 24 field goals and also missed three of his 45 extra point attempts. He scored 99 points in 2005. He was a perfect 36/36 on extra points and went 21 of 24 on his field goals, including hitting five of six from outside of forty yards. Hughes is the most accurate and consistent place kicker in the nation. He was not as consistent on deep kicks in 2004 as he was in 2003, but he rebounded in a big way in 2005 to reestablish himself as one of the top kicker prospects for the 2006 draft. Few things: Love that he's accurate. I would prefer a guy who is accurate but can't kick it 60 yards over a guy who can kick it out of the stadium but doesn't know where it's going. Also, high character guy? Anybody notice a trend?
TheDeuce 1000 Posts + Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,928

05-01-2006, 06:56 PM	#17
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	Originally Posted by papz Scouting report is kind of weird... I've seen him make numerous of 60 yard kicks during warmups. 40 yards in he's very good... outside of that he's a little iffy. Where did he go to school? Maybe the dome will help him.

05-01-2006, 04:44 PM	#11
LKelley67 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: baton rouge Posts: 2,540	I appreciate whatever good Carney contributed. It is quite an exciting out with the old and in with the new transformation going on though! I would rather a strong legged yougster with upside than to have to watch Carney continue to decline. Pullin' for ya Connor! With Bush-N-Brees onboard doncha think there is some great positive momo on what is happening here. Players will want to come here as a first choice to get on the train of opportunity on the way to success.

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05-01-2006, 04:44 PM	#12
BrooksMustGo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,762	John was a really great kicker. We just can't count on him to deliver the game. It's time for a change at the position. If the kid has some range and keeps cool under pressure then I'm pleased.

05-01-2006, 05:58 PM	#13
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,754	Love the pickup... Hughes has a powerful leg. He needs to work on his accuracy a bit but I love his upside.

05-01-2006, 06:01 PM	#14
LivnaLieTimay 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,498	Yeah, I like the pick also. Some people were calling for us to get a kicker in the 7th round, looks like we got one without using a draft pick. Carney was good a couple years ago but his time is past and we need to move on.

05-01-2006, 06:54 PM	#16
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,754	Scouting report is kind of weird... I've seen him make numerous of 60 yard kicks during warmups. 40 yards in he's very good... outside of that he's a little iffy.

05-01-2006, 07:00 PM	#18
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,754	At Virginia... Domes are kickers' best friends.

05-01-2006, 11:21 PM	#19
LKelley67 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: baton rouge Posts: 2,540	more- Strengths: Has a pretty strong leg with range beyond 50 yards...Was very reliable and consistent...Doesn't miss the short ones...Experienced and a four-year starter. Weaknesses: Accuracy beyond 40 yards gets a little dodgy...Mechanics on longer kicks change for the worse...Is not very big...Probably won't be able to kick-off in the pros. Notes: Career long is a 50-yarder which he attained five times...Went 66 for 79 (84%) in his career on field goals...A solid player who makes the kicks he is supposed to.

05-01-2006, 11:25 PM	#20
LKelley67 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: baton rouge Posts: 2,540	Height: 5'10 Weight: 172lbs. College: Virginia Bio: Best kicker in this years draft. Known mostly for his accuracy but can also hit the long ball when called upon. Will mostly likely find his name being called on day one. What kind of exercises do you do to help strengthen your kicking leg? I run some and all throughout college I just did the same weight program as the rest of the team. Other than that nothing special. I feel I have been truly blessed by God and put in the situations that He has had in store for me. To kick well is to praise His Name for me. Colossians 3:17 What goes through your head just before you make a kick? Well just before I take the kick I just make sure I line up right and right before I kick I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t think much of anything goes through my head. But after the ball comes off of my foot and I know it is in I usually look away before I even see the ball go through the posts. What's the worst kind of weather to kick in? Windy. No doubt. Rain isnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t as bad as wind. What's the longest field goat you've ever made in a game? I made a 53 yarder once or twice. Its also the longest I have ever attempted. I made it against Wake Forest my sophomore year to tie the game up in the last minute. Then was blessed again by getting the chance to win the game with seconds left. What would you say is the strongest aspect of your game....your strong leg or accuracy? I would say accuracy. I feel I have a pretty strong leg. Strong enough to make long field goals, but many kickers have a strong leg. So I think accuracy has separated me from others throughout college. Can you handle kick off duties in the NFL? I definitely feel I can. At UVA we always had Kurt Smith who was great at kickoffs. It is not that I couldn'tÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t do it but that the team benefited most by him handling the duties. I am confident I will be able to kickoff in the NFL. It was one of my favorite things to do in High School but I only got a chance to do it once in a game here at UVA. Of all the missed field goals in your career is there one you wish you could have back more than any other? I would have to say there is. The one this year I missed against North Carolina. It was an easy kick and it would have really helped the team. But in retrospect it taught me a lot about being a really good and really accurate kicker. SO I wouldn'tÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t take it back as much as I wish I had made it. Do you prefer to have a QB hold for you or a punter?, and how important is the kicker/holder relationship? I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t really care between the two of them. I want the best holder possible to hold it for me. If it is an Offensive Guard, then let him do it. The relationship I do fell is pretty important and I have had a great relationship with both guys who held for me here at UVA- Matt Schaub and John Phillips. The other relationship people overlook is that of the long snapper and holder. That is huge as well. It is great to have a really solid unit like Tyrus Gardner and John Phillips. Is there really any excuse for a kicker to miss an extra point, assuming its not blocked or there's a bad snap? I guess if you are in the middle of a hurricane How did you become a kicker? I made a deal with one of my friends and teammates in high school Kase Luzar. If I kicked for the football team he would play goalkeeper for the soccer team. I was a freshman and he was a senior and so I did it along the lines that if I wasnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t terrible I would do it and He ended up running track in the spring instead. I was not happy Do you have any rituals you go through before making a kick or while warming up for a game? Not really. I make sure I am warmed up by a short run and kick some longer ones to warm up. Did you see Doug Flutie's drop kick extra point, and would you ever consider changing your style? HAHA. Yeah I saw it on Sports Center and I was impressed. I have messed around a little bit with it in practice but nothing for real. It seems a little tougher than how I do it. Do you like the feeling of having the game on your shoulders if you are about to make a big kick? Yes. I think you have to if you want to be successful in this business. I just think it is such a blessing and opportunity to help your team and also by making it to reward the team for their hard work with a win. And finally Connor, who gets more women, punters or kickers? I would think kickers because of the chance to have the last say in the game (I have heard that chicks dig the long ball) But I guess it hasnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢Â‚Â¬Ã¢Â„Â¢t worked out that way for me.