Moorman being challenged

[eball]

Nice article on TBD about the rookie P from FSU, Powell. I think this is legitimate competition for Moorman. Funny thing about Powell; he has been coached/trained by former Bills P Greg Cater and said he has a Cater Bills jersey. Pretty cool.

 

Anyway, he appears more polished and skilled than you'd expect coming out of college. Moorman is probably the Bills' MVP over the past decade, and a real class act, but I certainly have seen a decline over the past couple of seasons. Love the fact Nix is even working to upgrade arguably one of the Bills' strongest positions.

[DaBills92]

I agree that Nix is also trying to fill those spots when they retire. But that won't be for at least a few years. I think Powell sticks through the preason and gets put on the practice squad and potter stays on the 53 man as a kickoff specialist. Even special teams players need to hone their skills first before being fully tested in the NFL. Potter will be a great replacement when Lindell goes, especially since he's used to the cold from playing at western michigan.

[nucci]

Don't think I've seen a punter or kicker on a PS.

[White Linen]

Don't think I've seen a punter or kicker on a PS.

 

And I don't think you will.

[wnyBacker]

there is no question that Moorman has been one of our best players the past decade, but there is also no denying that his skills are are on the decline...he is not a "untouchable" player anymore and if there is someone out there that is better than Moorman then im sure that Buddy and Chan will sign him.

[ny33]

And I don't think you will.

 

There won't be one on the practice squad. If Powell is truly good enough to start in the NFL, another team with greater punting issues will snap him up. This will be an interesting positional battle.

[BillsGuyInMalta]

Powell definitely has a chance. You have to figure that he'll see a lot of snaps in the preseason since the Bills already know what Moorman can do. If he comes out of the gate destroying the ball on each punt, we could very well see Moorman's final days in Buffalo.

 

What's more likely to happen however is that Powell gets cut and is Option #1 in case there is an injury to Moorman or his play declines suddenly in the season.

[BuffaloBillsForever]

Moorman has been an average punter overall the last few years but below average in the very important punting categories (inside the 5, 10, 20).

 

So yes, Moorman is replaceable.

[Offside Number 76]

I want to know whether he can punt directionally and put the ball in the "coffin corner." There's been a decline of that around the league lately; it's an important play, and until last year, Moorman (as much as I like him) wasn't very good at it.

[BuffaloBillsForever]

I want to know whether he can punt directionally and put the ball in the "coffin corner." There's been a decline of that around the league lately; it's an important play, and until last year, Moorman (as much as I like him) wasn't very good at it.

 

Moorman hasn't been very good at pinning punts within 20 let alone the 10 or 5 in years.

 

I agree with you here. If another punter comes and can show he has the ability to place punts correctly within the 20 (better yet 10) consistently then this alone is worth replacing Moorman on.

 

I don't see this as a decline in the league. It's actually one of things I notice when I watch other games (usually the 4 o'clock ones) how the punter can do it 2 or 3 times in a single game.

Edited May 18, 2012 by BuffaloBillsForever

[PromoTheRobot]

I want to know whether he can punt directionally and put the ball in the "coffin corner." There's been a decline of that around the league lately; it's an important play, and until last year, Moorman (as much as I like him) wasn't very good at it.

Not to mention the "bounce back" where the ball bounces away from the goal line when it his the ground. Another Moorman specialty.

 

PTR

[Lurker]

I want to know whether he can punt directionally and put the ball in the "coffin corner." There's been a decline of that around the league lately; it's an important play, and until last year, Moorman (as much as I like him) wasn't very good at it.

Yes, that will be intersting to see since Powell's scouting report says he's long, but directionally eratic.

 

That's a big liability in a windy stadium like RWS, so Moorman's accumulated knowledge is likely to keep him in contention, even if his physical skills might be in decline...

[eball]

Yes, that will be intersting to see since Powell's scouting report says he's long, but directionally eratic.

 

That's a big liability in a windy stadium like RWS, so Moorman's accumulated knowledge is likely to keep him in contention, even if his physical skills might be in decline...

Odd. If you read the article, Powell specifically mentions how he was coached in directional punting at FSU:

 

Powell is comfortable booting directional punts, toward the sideline, a tactic that is given a high priority by Bills special teams coach Bruce DeHaven.

 

"We did a lot of directional stuff," Powell said. "That really helped me out. That's what the NFL is all about — directional punting. Coach [Eddie] Gran, my coach at Florida State, told me if you want to make it you've got to do this. He put that into me in college and made me better, and I feel that put me one step ahead because I've been doing it."

 

I think Moorman's days are numbered.

[LynchMob23]

Odd. If you read the article, Powell specifically mentions how he was coached in directional punting at FSU:

 

Powell is comfortable booting directional punts, toward the sideline, a tactic that is given a high priority by Bills special teams coach Bruce DeHaven.

 

"We did a lot of directional stuff," Powell said. "That really helped me out. That's what the NFL is all about — directional punting. Coach [Eddie] Gran, my coach at Florida State, told me if you want to make it you've got to do this. He put that into me in college and made me better, and I feel that put me one step ahead because I've been doing it."

 

I think Moorman's days are numbered.

And the Aussie and Rugby punts are very helpful too for a team directionally speaking. Lots of tools and size (a Nix favorite) for this man.

[Vinny4sum]

His numbers for last year were not very good;

 

He ranked 24th in punts inside the 20 and #1 in touchbacks which is not what you want to be number one in. He did rank 6th in total average per punt, but his net average was 25th which may indicate out punt coverage was poor or he was missing his spots.

 

What it all means is maybe he is simply being challenged.

[Nanker]

Competition is good.

[DefenseWinzChampionshipz]

Powell definitely has a chance. You have to figure that he'll see a lot of snaps in the preseason since the Bills already know what Moorman can do. If he comes out of the gate destroying the ball on each punt, we could very well see Moorman's final days in Buffalo.

 

What's more likely to happen however is that Powell gets cut and is Option #1 in case there is an injury to Moorman or his play declines suddenly in the season.

 

We won't see what Powell brings to the table in the preseason if VY keeps scoring...

Edited May 18, 2012 by DefenseWinzChampionshipz

[Ramius]

I want to know whether he can punt directionally and put the ball in the "coffin corner." There's been a decline of that around the league lately; it's an important play, and until last year, Moorman (as much as I like him) wasn't very good at it.

 

He did it regularly at FSU. As the article stated, anytime Powell was within range of the endzone, he was directionally punting for the sidelines inside the 20. And he was very successful at it. If he continues this during camp, its going to be tough to keep Moorman on board.

 

Yes, that will be intersting to see since Powell's scouting report says he's long, but directionally eratic.

 

That's a big liability in a windy stadium like RWS, so Moorman's accumulated knowledge is likely to keep him in contention, even if his physical skills might be in decline...

 

Then the report is flat out wrong. He was great at directional punting during his time at FSU. He will have to learn the winds however.

Edited May 18, 2012 by Ramius

[eball]

Powell put 23 of 57 punts inside the 20 last year, or 40%. Over the past three seasons combined, Moorman is at 26% (62/237). During his heyday ('06-'08), Moorman was at 37% (86/232).

 

The signs of decline are clear.

[UConn James]

I agree that Nix is also trying to fill those spots when they retire. But that won't be for at least a few years. I think Powell sticks through the preason and gets put on the practice squad and potter stays on the 53 man as a kickoff specialist. Even special teams players need to hone their skills first before being fully tested in the NFL. Potter will be a great replacement when Lindell goes, especially since he's used to the cold from playing at western michigan.

 

If Potter was drafted to be a kickoff guy, then it might be possible for Powell to stick a spot as a punter plus the kickoff specialist. Cater, the former Bills punter who worked with Powell, said in articles that he was booming kickoffs (tried on spec) into shrubberies well past the back of the end zone. That might be an extra incentive in not tying up that extra roster spot that could prompt a shift for Chan and Buddy.

 

... If Powell can show it.

 

there is no question that Moorman has been one of our best players the past decade, but there is also no denying that his skills are are on the decline...he is not a "untouchable" player anymore and if there is someone out there that is better than Moorman then im sure that Buddy and Chan will sign him.

 

True that. It's a measure of how do you weigh comfort/loyalty vs. production/upside.

 

Too many times we've seen Brian snapping his chinstrap and flinging it to the side in frustration. I did a breakdown last off-season and his stats had started to measurably slip in roughly 2008-9, IIRC. Four years into a decline... there's a point where you've gotta put a racehorse to pasture, and we crossed it. Sorry, b/c BM's a great guy and he was a lone bright spot for many years. That should not keep his spot safe, tho.

 

And the Aussie and Rugby punts are very helpful too for a team directionally speaking. Lots of tools and size (a Nix favorite) for this man.

 

Powell was reportedly working with former Chargers punter Darren Bennett, of Aussie extraction, on that and the end-over-end punts that are more difficult to field/catch and typically have a more favorable bounce.

Edited May 19, 2012 by UConn James