Beware the kicking game

Submitted by maybaum on

We all saw the short-kick return fiasco last week, but that's not what worries me most.

I was at the game and paid attention to Wile and Hagerup during warmups. It seemed to me that both of them were very inconsistent. Even though Wile made his FGs during the game, IIRC they were not down the middle (seemed to pull them left somewhat).

Did anyone else notice this?

WolverineHistorian

September 18th, 2014 at 5:59 PM ^

Epstein got a couple FG's of over 50 yards.  But I remember him kicking wide right on many 35-45 yarders. 

Epstein's kickoffs were the most memorable because they were almost always non-returnable.  Against Eastern in 1998, he had a kickoff that went through the uprights.  

Darker Blue

September 18th, 2014 at 5:11 PM ^

I noticed we played a football game, which we won. I also noticed that we had coaches who were obviously coaching the players. Plus I noticed, just like you, that Matt Wile made his field goals. 

I think we're gonna be okay. 

WolverineHistorian

September 18th, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^

Are you new?  Us getting a field goal of 40 yards or more (sometimes 35 or more) is usually expecting too much.  It's been that way for many years.  Even during the pre-2007 days when Michigan actually looked like Michigan. 

 

ImSoBlue

September 18th, 2014 at 6:17 PM ^

play in general.  The 2 big goofs of App State onsides kick (almost a turnover) and the short kickoff turnover from Miami after Norfleet had a nice return were predictable situations that the boys should have been prepared for.  They were not.

At least we play at home, so road buterflies s/b at bay.

Tater

September 18th, 2014 at 6:45 PM ^

Coaching restrictions make it difficult to have a legitimate kicking coach.  Most coaches know a lot about blocking, tackling and holding on to the ball.  Every team has a QB coach.  But nobody can afford to have a kicking coach without creating a deficiency elsewhere.  

That makes kicking a recruiting crapshoot.  They have to hope the person they recruit is good and can develop themselves beyond the basic "coaching" that they get from whoever is in charge of special teams.  

Add in the apparent "fact" that coaches don't want to "waste" a lof of schollies on kickers and punters, and you have a recipe for failure.  Sadly, Michigan is approaching "chef" status in regards to this recipe.

JimBobFreedom

September 18th, 2014 at 6:47 PM ^

I don't think successful coaches sit around and worry about the kicking game because with any luck they have planned well enough not to have the momentum of a game rest on the kicker.

BlueKoj

September 18th, 2014 at 7:10 PM ^

I'm less worried about the place kicking than I am the punt game. Supposedly, the Utes can punt...but I'm much less worried about the punt game than I am of the Utes up tempo O and potential UM TOs. UM D needs to come up big and cause Wilson to turn over the damn ball.

Sllepy81

September 18th, 2014 at 9:28 PM ^

I think Kenny Allen is our best punter when watching warm-ups and I've said it since kickoff that Wile is bringing back Gibbons first year nightmares to me.