If we don't use all 25 schollies, why not snag a punter?

by David Hooper on Jan 23, 2009 11:25 AM EST

Most of you have already heard about the dismissal of Clinton Durst from Auburn's roster - well, "dismissal" probably isn't the right word, but it might as well have been: when you have a punter that effectively salvaged 2 of your 5 wins (Miss. State and Tennessee) and was generally regarded as the best punter in the conference, and when he earned the job very early in the season as a walk-on because the scholarshipped guy couldn't get the job done, and when you have absolutely zero continuity of offensive philosophy and training over the last few years, perhaps you ought to consider being a little more charitable than: "Pay for yourself through the spring and summer; if you're really lucky, maybe we'll give you a scholarship in the fall. Don't forget to say please, with whipped cream and a cherry on top."

(Yes, that's one long sentence. I'm proud. Back to the story.)

Colquitt is finally at the end of Orange Road; given Cunningham's slow punting delivery, I wouldn't mind enhancing the position with Durst. The problem is, I don't think there'd be any way of working him into the roster in the fall; there's the one-year sitout rule, and the NCAA isn't keen on making exceptions for a guy because of a coaching change.

Even if that coaching change dismissed a scholarship promise made by the previous staff - for the most valuable player on the team.

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I personally hope we use all 25 elsewhere...

Still, Durst may have a fire to stay in the SEC, even if that means a redshirt. The Davis kid out of Dayton was being recruited by Fulmer too. He is out Rhea county, but not sure if CLK and company have shown any interest. Can’t find his profile on Rivals or Scouts, but i know he was supposed to have a great leg

"I will give my all for tennessee today"

by CT4UT on Jan 23, 2009 2:31 PM EST reply actions

That's the twitchy thing about punters and kickers.

It’s a royal pain to get any information on them from the recruiting sites, even though they happen to be rather important parts of the game. I do worry a little about the punting game right now, remembering what kind of drop off we experience when Colquitt was suspended.

And Chizik is out of his mind to debilitate his punting game this way. They may get tired of the PUNT TO WIN drone that goes on about Auburn football, but there’s absolutely no reason for them to intentionally handicap themselves in this way. Especially when they should anticipate a few shakedown games as they retool their offense yet again.

(Kinda like us.)

by David Hooper on Jan 23, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

I am hoping Eddie Gran can straighten our kickers out...

Cunningham AND Lincoln.

by rblakeh on Jan 23, 2009 4:02 PM EST reply actions

While we're on the subject,

there’s got to be money for somebody to become a real whiz genius at coaching kickers. No school can afford to have a kicker-specific coach on staff, naturally, but what would be wrong with consulting clinics where such a guy could teach the special teams coach how to coach up kickers/punters? I’m thinking beyond “motivational speaker consultant” here; somebody who can walk through the mechanics, break down every phase, and show the coach how to get the most out of their guys. Such a consultant wouldn’t count against the coach limit if he only teaches the coaches and doesn’t directly teach the kickers, right?

Heck, after the ’90s, Florida State would have broke the bank for such a consultant.

by David Hooper on Jan 23, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions