An early look at the Saints’ kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker

MatthewT · 05-28-2015, 07:09 AM

I am seriously uncertain what Payton is looking for. Over the past many years the Saints have had very nice kickers, and by that I am talking about guys who were exceptionally reliable 40 yards and under. Even the best kickers in the league get shaky on kicks more than 40 yards. When you have one of the top punters in the NFL, you really shouldn't be attempting many long field goals anyway. If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position.

Foot Stomper · 05-28-2015, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by MatthewT

I am seriously uncertain what Payton is looking for. Over the past many years the Saints have had very nice kickers, and by that I am talking about guys who were exceptionally reliable 40 yards and under. Even the best kickers in the league get shaky on kicks more than 40 yards. When you have one of the top punters in the NFL, you really shouldn't be attempting many long field goals anyway. If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position.

Moorstead is good. In fact he is way better than good but pinning the other team deep is not one of his better attributes. You can play with the stats here.

2014 NFL Player Punting Stats - National Football League - ESPN

UK_WhoDat · 05-31-2015, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by MatthewT

....If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position.

Well that is a plan. Maybe more relevant this year where our defense does it let them get it all back on one set of downs.

voodooido · 05-31-2015, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by MatthewT

I am seriously uncertain what Payton is looking for. Over the past many years the Saints have had very nice kickers, and by that I am talking about guys who were exceptionally reliable 40 yards and under. Even the best kickers in the league get shaky on kicks more than 40 yards. When you have one of the top punters in the NFL, you really shouldn't be attempting many long field goals anyway. If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position.

A lot of Saints games are decided by 3 or less. Imagine how many of those games we could of won with a long FG. Also, the morale of the team drops when FG's are missed after a long drive.

Seer1 · 05-31-2015, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by voodooido

A lot of Saints games are decided by 3 or less. Imagine how many of those games we could of won with a long FG. Also, the morale of the team drops when FG's are missed after a long drive.

Or even by an accurate short FG. Just sayin'...

05-28-2015, 07:09 AM	#1
MatthewT 1000 Posts + Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,729	Re: An early look at the Saints’ kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker I am seriously uncertain what Payton is looking for. Over the past many years the Saints have had very nice kickers, and by that I am talking about guys who were exceptionally reliable 40 yards and under. Even the best kickers in the league get shaky on kicks more than 40 yards. When you have one of the top punters in the NFL, you really shouldn't be attempting many long field goals anyway. If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position. foreverfan likes this.

05-28-2015, 08:26 PM	#2
Foot Stomper Carolina Sucks Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Greensboro NC Posts: 379	Re: An early look at the Saints’ kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker Originally Posted by MatthewT I am seriously uncertain what Payton is looking for. Over the past many years the Saints have had very nice kickers, and by that I am talking about guys who were exceptionally reliable 40 yards and under. Even the best kickers in the league get shaky on kicks more than 40 yards. When you have one of the top punters in the NFL, you really shouldn't be attempting many long field goals anyway. If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position. Moorstead is good. In fact he is way better than good but pinning the other team deep is not one of his better attributes. You can play with the stats here. 2014 NFL Player Punting Stats - National Football League - ESPN

05-31-2015, 01:21 PM	#3
UK_WhoDat 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wherever I lay my hat Posts: 4,004	Re: An early look at the Saints’ kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker Originally Posted by MatthewT ....If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position. Well that is a plan. Maybe more relevant this year where our defense does it let them get it all back on one set of downs.

05-31-2015, 05:57 PM	#4
voodooido 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,844	Re: An early look at the Saints’ kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker Originally Posted by MatthewT I am seriously uncertain what Payton is looking for. Over the past many years the Saints have had very nice kickers, and by that I am talking about guys who were exceptionally reliable 40 yards and under. Even the best kickers in the league get shaky on kicks more than 40 yards. When you have one of the top punters in the NFL, you really shouldn't be attempting many long field goals anyway. If the FG is over 45 yards, I say use your punter and pin the other guys deep and play field position. A lot of Saints games are decided by 3 or less. Imagine how many of those games we could of won with a long FG. Also, the morale of the team drops when FG's are missed after a long drive.
voodooido 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,844

05-31-2015, 06:31 PM	#5
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	Re: An early look at the Saints’ kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker Originally Posted by voodooido A lot of Saints games are decided by 3 or less. Imagine how many of those games we could of won with a long FG. Also, the morale of the team drops when FG's are missed after a long drive. Or even by an accurate short FG. Just sayin'...

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/72561-early-look-saints-kicker-battle-between-dustin-hopkins-zach-hocker.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date	Hits
The Latest Zach Hocker News \| SportSpyder	This thread	Refback	05-27-2015 10:42 PM	1
The Latest Dustin Hopkins News \| SportSpyder	This thread	Refback	05-27-2015 04:05 AM	1
An early look at the Saints’ kicker battle between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker	This thread	Refback	05-26-2015 09:11 AM	3
The Latest New Orleans Saints News \| SportSpyder	This thread	Refback	05-26-2015 09:03 AM	1