Why isn't Bass the backup punter?

[Dan Darragh]

I always assumed that the K practices as a backup to the P (and vice versa).  Why didn't the Bills use Bass to punt?  And what made them think that Barkley would be any good at it?

[UKBillFan]

4 minutes ago, Dan Darragh said:

I always assumed that the K practices as a backup to the P (and vice versa).  Why didn't the Bills use Bass to punt?  And what made them think that Barkley would be any good at it?

I was wondering that, as he has a record of a 60 yard field goal so can get distance. I assume we either didn’t want to dress him up or have him practice with a different holder to the one he’ll be playing with across the season.

[Dan Darragh]

Uh, I think you missed my point.  Bass DID play last night but only kicked off since the Bills never scored and never tried a FG.  My question is why they had Barkley punting instead of Bass 

[UKBillFan]

2 minutes ago, Dan Darragh said:

Uh, I think you missed my point.  Bass DID play last night but only kicked off since the Bills never scored and never tried a FG.  My question is why they had Barkley punting instead of Bass 

Apologies, didn’t realise he kicked off. Suppose they didn’t want him at risk of getting challenged/injured during a field goal attempt or a punt? If yesterday was a league game I presume he would have punted as the emergency option?

[Captain Hindsight]

Maybe he can’t punt 

[CSBill]

He probably is, but why risk having him do it in a meaningless pre-season game?

 

Also, based on one of the Training Camp reports, Josh Allen is probably your most capable back-up punter. Wouldn't that be wild  - stupid, but fun for a moment.

[LeGOATski]

I'd rather not have Bass in the punting formation where he's much more at risk of someone taking out his leg.

[UKBillFan]

6 minutes ago, CSBill said:

He probably is, but why risk having him do it in a meaningless pre-season game?

 

Also, based on one of the Training Camp reports, Josh Allen is probably your most capable back-up punter. Wouldn't that be wild  - stupid, but fun for a moment.

At this rate Josh will be doing everything.

Edited August 27, 2022 by UKBillFan

[Max Fischer]

- Two different skill sets. 
- Bass could get hurt. 

[Beerball]

29 minutes ago, CSBill said:

He probably is, but why 

 

Also, based on one of the Training Camp reports, Josh Allen is probably your most capable back-up punter. Wouldn't that be wild  - stupid, but fun for a moment.

Ben R used to have a “surprise” punt or two back in his earlier years. 3rd and 37 from your 10 yard line. You don’t want to risk your QB getting sacked or the eventual punt blocked…quick kick.

[Draconator]

47 minutes ago, Dan Darragh said:

I always assumed that the K practices as a backup to the P (and vice versa).  Why didn't the Bills use Bass to punt?  And what made them think that Barkley would be any good at it?

Different mechanics for each. Kicker punts, then messes up a meaningful field goal. Don't want that. 

[CEN-CAL17]

Question is what punters are available?

 

Jordan Berry seems like the only option.

[Mickey]

1 hour ago, Dan Darragh said:

I always assumed that the K practices as a backup to the P (and vice versa).  Why didn't the Bills use Bass to punt?  And what made them think that Barkley would be any good at it?

 

For the same reason why your dentist isn't your back up brain surgeon.

[NoSaint]

1 hour ago, CSBill said:

He probably is, but why risk having him do it in a meaningless pre-season game?

 

Also, based on one of the Training Camp reports, Josh Allen is probably your most capable back-up punter. Wouldn't that be wild  - stupid, but fun for a moment.

you could drop josh into shotgun and have him pooch kick one with no returner in an emergency 

 

of course they put a guy back and you get a 11 vs 10 play

[stevewin]

1 hour ago, CSBill said:

He probably is, but why risk having him do it in a meaningless pre-season game?

 

Also, based on one of the Training Camp reports, Josh Allen is probably your most capable back-up punter. Wouldn't that be wild  - stupid, but fun for a moment.

Josh Blanda

[Bobby Hooks]

Marquette King? 

[Green Lightning]

4 minutes ago, stevewin said:

Josh Blanda

😀

[DrPJax]

1 hour ago, Dan Darragh said:

I always assumed that the K practices as a backup to the P (and vice versa).  Why didn't the Bills use Bass to punt?  And what made them think that Barkley would be any good at it?

Looks like he acquitted himself well and must have felt confident to do so. Better the third string qb risk any injury over our first string , harder to replace fg specialist as we look for a season preserving future solution. Imagine if he got hurt by a block attempt in a preseason game ; suddenly you have two specialists to replace in under two weeks , whereas Barkley is not expected to hit the field ! 😊

[Mark92]

Probably trade for a punter at this point or get someone out of retirement.  Pat McAfee has some free time I hear 🤣

[BearNorth]

I'm old, but I remember when Daryle Lamonica in 1963 was the Bills regular punter 52 punts, 40 yard average, replaced by Paul Maguire the next season.

[machine gun kelly]

They’ll be working out punters today and beyond as McD sweats the details.  
 

I’ll save my comments as Simon asked to Araiza in the Araiza thread.

[Orlando Tim]

1 hour ago, CSBill said:

He probably is, but why risk having him do it in a meaningless pre-season game?

 

Also, based on one of the Training Camp reports, Josh Allen is probably your most capable back-up punter. Wouldn't that be wild  - stupid, but fun for a moment.

If true we could pull a Randall Cunningham play - I don't remember the distance but he got it over the deep man's head and it rolled a long way 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

2 hours ago, Dan Darragh said:

Uh, I think you missed my point.  Bass DID play last night but only kicked off since the Bills never scored and never tried a FG.  My question is why they had Barkley punting instead of Bass 

Different techniques, and you don’t want to risk Bass pulling a hammy AT ALL. 

Also, Matt Barkley is the best punter in team quarterback history.

 

The legend grows. 

[In Summary]

2 hours ago, CSBill said:

He probably is, but why risk having him do it in a meaningless pre-season game?

 

Also, based on one of the Training Camp reports, Josh Allen is probably your most capable back-up punter. Wouldn't that be wild  - stupid, but fun for a moment.

Like Danny White of Dallas.

[BearNorth]

Here are the preseason stats for the second best punter on the teams that have had for more than one.

 

[In Summary]

1 hour ago, Draconator said:

Different mechanics for each. Kicker punts, then messes up a meaningful field goal. Don't want that. 

Sounds right. Punter basically ends up doing a standing split.

[Albany,n.y.]

1 hour ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

Question is what punters are available?

 

Jordan Berry seems like the only option.

There are currently 3 teams with 2 punters, the Chargers, Titans and Bengals.  Also, when Haack signed with Indy, there were about 5 punters trying out.  There might also be a punter or 2 from the USFL who is good enough to bring in for a tryout.  

[BearNorth]

Kern is actually outperforming the rookie punter Stonehouse in TEN, If the Titans release Kern in a cap move, Bills should sign him, vet presence would steady the current noise.

 

[AuntieEm]

28 minutes ago, BearNorth said:

Here are the preseason stats for the second best punter on the teams that have had for more than one.

 

 

   Bradley Pinion is a good name for a punter.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

3 hours ago, Dan Darragh said:

I always assumed that the K practices as a backup to the P (and vice versa).  Why didn't the Bills use Bass to punt?  And what made them think that Barkley would be any good at it?

 

As has been said didn't want to risk injury from getting hit particularly since backups on O-line.  I'd imagine too punting puts a whole different strain on leg, so Bass could have injured himself.

 

Could be during practice Barkley looked decent at it.  They must have known for some reason as he looked pretty good at it.  Wouldn't surprise me Barkley's average last night beat Haack's average from last year.  I didn't read through this entire thread but I'm sure if it had, it would been posted. LOL

 

2 hours ago, UKBillFan said:

At this rate Josh will be doing everything.

 

When I was a kid playing backyard football, we had a thing called an "angel pass" where the QB could throw it to himself.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Michael Palardy, who the Bills tried to sign before Haak a few years ago, is currently a FA and is a safe bet to be the guy. 
 

He’s an average punter, not sure how he is as a holder

[Dan Darragh]

22 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

Could be during practice Barkley looked decent at it.  They must have known for some reason as he looked pretty good at it. 

Barkley said in the post-game press conference that he never in his life even practiced punting until pre-game warmups.  

 

I guess the consensus here is that the risk of injury made Barkley the most expendable guy in the building.  Curious, 4 days before cutdown, that nobody was more expendable than your QB3.

[CSBill]

39 minutes ago, BearNorth said:

Kern is actually outperforming the rookie punter Stonehouse in TEN, If the Titans release Kern in a cap move, Bills should sign him, vet presence would steady the current noise.

 

 

If he is that reliable, and I really like the idea of a veteran who knows what they are doing, it might even be worth a trade--a late round draft pick?

[Dan Darragh]

6 minutes ago, CSBill said:

 

If he is that reliable, and I really like the idea of a veteran who knows what they are doing, it might even be worth a trade--a late round draft pick?

Straight up for OJ Howard

[CEN-CAL17]

1 hour ago, Albany,n.y. said:

There are currently 3 teams with 2 punters, the Chargers, Titans and Bengals.  Also, when Haack signed with Indy, there were about 5 punters trying out.  There might also be a punter or 2 from the USFL who is good enough to bring in for a tryout.  

Something to consider is, how many of those punters have consistently played in inclement weather or cold weather?

[eSJayDee]

A couple of things I can think of -

1) It was a "reward" to Barkley.  As people had mentioned, it's a practice game, so it doesn't really matter.

2) Perhaps Bass can't reliably catch a snap.  Trust me, having someone throw a ball to you underhand, as hard as an average person is capable of throwing, w/ your hands away from your body, is a LOT more challenging than you think. 

And, of course  as people have mentioned, there's the injury risk.  Replacing a 3rd string practice squad QB is easier than an elite kicker.  (For that matter, Barkley's value to the team is not based on his physical capabilities.)

[Jerome007]

Well, if we have two backup punters (Bass & Barkley), that's better than most teams!

 

Someone that can kick 40 and under field goals would be good too. I find it weird when a kicker is injured and you have players on the team try out during that week. I mean, all that time in training camp and you allow zero minutes to that important factor?

[Dan Darragh]

1 hour ago, eSJayDee said:

Perhaps Bass can't reliably catch a snap. 

Good point.  Too bad he's not a PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE or anything.

[BillsShredder83]

2 hours ago, Dan Darragh said:

Barkley said in the post-game press conference that he never in his life even practiced punting until pre-game warmups.  

 

I guess the consensus here is that the risk of injury made Barkley the most expendable guy in the building.  Curious, 4 days before cutdown, that nobody was more expendable than your QB3.

He likely meant as a pro, cause they showed a stat he pointed 8xs in college

[Kwai San]

6 hours ago, Dan Darragh said:

I always assumed that the K practices as a backup to the P (and vice versa).  Why didn't the Bills use Bass to punt?  And what made them think that Barkley would be any good at it?

 

Seriously???  You would want him out there exposing himself to potential injury so he could kick fricking punts???  Thats a special kinda cray cray!!!  Think with your head son!  Bass is going to register ALOT of points for the Bills this year and you want him running around on punts???????

 

SMFH!!!