Much to the surprise of the so called pundits, the Jets are now 3-3 and face two of the weaker tems in the league the next two weeks. It wasn't pretty, but it was a win. Onto our boy Benny! He had 7 punts on the day, but it wasn't one of his best outings. His average gross punt was 43.6 yards, with a 34 yard net average, and that included only one punt inside the twenty yard line. So from a numbers standpoint, not a real good day. 1. This was a 40 yarder from the Jets 39 yard line, hang time 3.9 seconds, but at least it wasn't returned, the opposing punt returner called for a fair catch with no chance of advancing the ball. Ben should have put another ten yards on this one, and Miami took possession at their own 21 yard line. Grade: C 2. Still early in the game, and this was one of Grahams better punts in this game. 50 yards with a good hang time of 4.6 seconds. The coverage team had a shot at the returner early, but missed, and Miami was able to gain 7 yards before getting tackled. Ben's directional punting hasn't been as good lately.... he's not getting these kicks as close to the sidelines as he was three weeks ago. Grade: A- 3. This was a killer. The Jets are on their own 19 yard line. We need a rain maker here... and Benny gets ALL of this one! 66 yards, about 75 yards from his foot to the landing spot, with a 4.8 second hang time. 75 yards is about 65.6 meters! The punt returner had to run backwards but then just let it fall... then... Derrick Coleman touches the ball to "down" it. Problem is, he had gone out of bounds earlier in the play. When a player steps out of bounds, he isn't allowed to be the first player to touch the ball. Five yard penalty, replay the down. Thsi dumbass knows, or at least SHOULD know he shouldn't touch the ball. There were other players right there that could have touched the ball first. F'n idiot. This guy Coleman has already been in the coaches' dog house. So, Ben has to rekick it, and he shanks it. 35 yard punt, returned 11 yards. Short hang time of 3.6 seconds. It was after this when Benny threw and elbow at the Miami player, Eddie Jackson for trash talking him. There is a seperate thread on this, here: http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=13228 Grade: D- 4. Another ugly looking punt. This one went only about 34 yards, but had a lucky bounce for another 7 or 8 yards. It was so bad, the punt returner couldn't even get to it in an attempt to catch and return. The hang time wasn't horrible, at 3.9 seconds, and Miami started again just outside their own 20 yard line. Ben used to get these down to the ten yard line on a regular basis... he's in a bit of a slump. Grade: C- 5. The Jets were in Miami territory at the Miami 35 yard line, but elected to punt instead of a field goal attempt. Ben put it into the end zone. Net: 15 yards. Grade: D- 6. At a crucial point in the game, we need a long kick here, Miami is fighting their way back into the game late in the 4th quarter. The Jets are deep in their own territory at the 22 yard line. Finally, Graham has a nice one. 53 yards, with a 4.9 second hang time, a real beaut! The returner muffed the catch, and was immediately tackled. 51 yard net at a very important time. Grade: A 7. Now very late in the game, and Miami only needs a field goal to tie it up with only 2:31 left in the game, with the Jets at their own 40 yard line. Ben comes through in the clutch, and gets off a 51 yarder. Sorry, I don't have the hang time on this one... my DVR stopped recording before the game ended, but it was good. Miami did manage a return of 17 yards, but in part because they comitted a penalty, and had to start from their own 11 yard line. The Jets needed every one of those yards, as Miami marched down the field and missed a 51 yard field goal in an attempt to tie. Grade: A- So, a mixed day for Benny... and it was a damn good thing he didn't get caught throwing that elbow.....if a ref had seen it, it's a 15 yard penalty. It wasn't blatant, and some refs might have looked the other way because the Miami player was taunting (also illegal) but he dodged that bullet. Now I can laugh at it... if he got caught, I would have been pissed. Sorry about not getting to the report last week....
I'm new to the site so forgive me if I'm overstepping my bounds...but...as a Jet fan since '81.... Only Jet fans would have a weekly report on the punting game. :sad:
We have Aussie buddies that can't see the game and like to keep up on how Ben is doing. Let's call it a great public service from Thunderbird to take the time to do this. :up:
I'm not saying this to argue, but the guy on the Miami radio broadcast was talking about the bomb that was called back, and said it was 67 yds, and "almost 80" from where he kicked it. I just found it funny he was continuing the argument that is on here all the time. Now even I know he doesn't kick it 13 yds behind the line, but still I thought it was comical.
Thanks Tbird. Forget about last week. This shanking thing is a bit of a worry. Both shanks this year have come after huge punts that were called back. I wonder if Ben is trying to hard on the second attempt to emulate the big punts? I know from kicking torps that often the harder you try the more likely to shank. Then when your not really trying the timing just seems right and they fly.
Great report again TBJ. I had a look at the video of Ben's "elbow". As mentioned in the thread about it, by other Aussies, that bit of action would rate as about a 0.5 on a scale of 1-10 for violence in Aussie Rules. Interesting to see that his punting was a bit off this week. Personally, I would HATE to only have a few kicks per game, can't believe the mental strength you would need to get em all perfect with about 50k people watching in the stadium and who knows how many on television. No wonder they get paid so much! Keep up the great reports , I look forward to them each week. btw we are between seasons here Aussie Rules has finished and cricket is about to start so we are a bit starved of sport.
Frank, it depends on when it happens here. That sort of thing happens on almost every play here too. But, it usually happens at the end of a play, very close to when the ref blows the whistle. When it happens well after the play is over, it gets more scrutiny. There is plenty of that stuff in american football too, and much worse, but, like I said.... when it happens well after the play is over, and sort of planned, the way Ben did it, it will sometimes draw a flag. If a ref did see it, but also saw the taunting, he'd most likely let it go 95% of the time. I know we don't want him to get hurt.... but I think Ben needs to get in on some contact sooner or later. He's chompin at the bit. I think he's frustrated not being involved in the rough stuff. Sooner or later... he's gonna lay someone out on a punt return play. :up:
Agree, Aussie Rules is so physical and demanding with heaps of contact all game. I can understand how he would miss that aspect of the game and be hanging out to give someone a huge hit. Basically running on, punting and then pissing off, is almost "un Australian" and I can understand why people in this forum get underwhelmed by the punters role. It IS a pretty small part of the game, there seems to be no physical strength and guts required (other than a GREAT leg) and you are protected by your teammates. If I could JUST UNDERSTAND the bloody game a bit more I could get my head around potential opportunites for Ben to have a real impact in a different way (of course I understand the need to protect him so he can punt as required) Cheers, off Here tomorrow for 5 days. Check it out.
TBJ nice report as always. It's a shame about that called back punt. That punt, even if it took some bounces, went FAR! It was funny to see Ben elbow a Dolphin after he made a remark :lol: I hope we get to see Ben lay out who ever runs back the punt for the oppoisng team. :rofl2:
Yer welcome mates! Hey Frank, that place looks nice, but then again, I like anyplace that has a pub in it. Is that for holiday or a business conference?
"She who must be obeyed" is turning 50 on Monday. We are flying down there with 10 other people, hiking in the wilderness for one night and then 2 nights in the Lodge. BEST bloody breakfast I have ever had at that place!! Huge dinner on Sunday night :drunk: and then home Monday :sad:
Her rump is still lookin' good for 50 Frank. It is her in your Av isn't it? I loved Cradle Mountain although only spent 1 day there. Easy stroll around dove lake. Have fun mate, happy Birthday to the old cheese.
Not QUITE hers but if you check out her arse, while you squint a bit, it comes pretty close!! (looking over shoulder to see if the coast is clear) :rofl: fftopic: btw, a couple of the "girls" in the group have rather large arses, the walk is UP around the top of the lake, out the back of Cradle to a hut called Scott Kilvett. Next day UP again and around the front of cradle and back to the lodge. Unfortunately I reckon I have to be at the back with the defibrillator and to help the stragglers so I will get to see those arses all day!!!
have a great trip, been there too, if you have a chance head to strahan and do a cruise on the franklin river, or if want to see the wierdest footy oval go to Queenstown , the surface is gravel
Thanks, not enought time for Strahan this time. btw , we were there 30 years ago during the NO DAMS stuff for a couple of days. Had on "NO DAMS" badges and got spat on etc by the locals. Now the place is BOOMING with tourists and the joint is jumping BECAUSE of the beautiful river.
Thanks for the BG report,tbj. Ben's confidence would have gone through the roof with that monster punt. Then to have it called back and his follow up punt being shanked....well, that would have knocked the stuffing right out of him. At least he finished off the game with 2 good ones.
