quote:

The next day, what meant something was special teams coach Mike Priefer telling him how great a kicker he was, and how the Vikings were proud that he was their kicker. Some evidence: In his four seasons kicking for the Vikings, Walsh has the 10th-best field goal percentage—85.2 percent—in the history of the league.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

quote:

Priefer did a interview in which he explained just those things; He said TFC stadium hurt his average.
He said Locke punted as good or better than the visiting punters every game.

Locke won the net avg battle 3 times and lost 5 times.


Game 1: Road game. 4 punts net avg 37.5 (OP 3 43.7 avg)

1)MIN 3 - 39 yards - muffed -fumble recovery
2)MIN 46 - 31 yards to SF 23 OOB
3a)MIN 36 - 50 yards to SF 14 - 11 RY - nulfied by penalty
3b)re-kick from our 41 - 44 yards to SF 15 - ran back for a TD - nulified by penalty
4)MIN 46 - 36 yards to SF 16 - FC

Game 2: Home game. 3 punts NA 44 (OP 4 34.5 avg)

1)MIN 28 - 53 yards to DET 19 - FC
2)Det 47 - 39 yards to DET 8 - FC
3)MIN 37 - 42 yards to Det 21 - 2 yard return

Game 3: Home game. 4 punts 41.3 NA (OP 6 37.5)
1)MIN 42 - 47 yards to SD 11 - FC
2)50 yard line - 30 yards to SD 20 - FC
3) Min 20 - 60 yards to SD 20 - 0 return yards

Game 4: Road game. 5 punts 43 NA (OP 3 44.7)
1)MIN 21 - 42 yards to DEN 37 - FC
2)DEN 43 - 32 yards to DEN 11 - FC
3)MIN 6 - 51 yards to DEN 43 - FC
4)MIN 32 - 54 yards to DEN 14 - 2 RY
5)50 yard line - 38 yards to DEN 12 FC

Game 5: Home game. 4 punts 34.3 NA (OP 6 39.3)
1)MIN 47- 46 yards to KC 7 - 14 RY
2)MIN 18 - 41 yards to KC 41 - downed
3)MIN 17 - 50 yards to KC 33 - 10 RY
4)KC 44 - 44 yards to end zone - TB

Game 6: Road game. 2 punts NA 40.5 (OP 6 45.5)
1)MIN 25 - 50 yards to DET 25 to DET 34 - 9 RY
2)MIN 49 - 40 yards to DET 11 - FC

Game 7: Road game. 4 punts 32.8 NA (OP 5 28.8) we had 77 return yards
1)MIN 26 - 34 yards to CHI 40 - returner muffs catch, ball out of bounds at CHI 47
2)CHI 48 - 37 yards to CHI 11 - returner muffs catch, and recovers at CHI 13
3)CHI 45 - 32 yards to CHI 13 - FC
4)CHI 43 - 31 yards to CHI 12 - FC

Game 8: Home game. 8 NA 35.9 (OP 8 41.5)
1)MIN 36 - 41 yards to STL 23 12 RY
2)MIN 35 - 38 yards to STL 27 - -1RY
3)MIN 42 - 43 yards to STL 15 - downed
4)MIN 34 - 54 yards to STL 12 - RY
5)MIN 46 - 27 yards to STL 27 - OOB
6)MIN 39 - 61 yards to end zone - TB
7)MIN 36 - 29 yards to STL 35 - downed
8)MIN 28 - 41 yards to STL 31 - 8 RY

Game 9: Road game. 3 NA 40.3 (OP 6 40.3)
1)OAK 40 - 40 yards to end zone - TB
2)MIN 24 - 50 yards to OAK 26 - 0 RY
3)MIN 22 - 53 yards to OAK 25 - 2 RY

Game 10: Home game. 6 NA 36 (OP 4 38)
1)GB 41 - 41 yards to end zone - TB
2)MIN 23 - 44 yards to GB 33 - FC
3)MIN 37 - 41 yards to GB 22 - FC
4)GB 47 - 27 yards to GB 20 - FC
5)MIN 46 - 44 yards to GB 10 - -1 RY
6)MIN 15 - 48 yards to GB 37 - 10 RY

Game 11: Away game. 2 NA 39. (OP 2 47.5)
1)MIN 40 - 43 yards to ATL 17 - 10 RY
2)MIN 40 - 52 yards to ATL 8 - 7 RY

Game 12: Home game. 7 NA 36.4 (OP 2 27)
1)MIN 34 - 47 yards to SEA 19 - downed
2)MIN 25 - 46 yards to SEA 29 - 6 RY
3)SEA 39 - 37 yards to SEA 2 - downed
4)MIN 30 - 22 yards to SEA 48 - OOB *Kick Blocked
5)MIN 17 - 44 yards to SEA 39 - 19 RY
6)MIN 18 - 47 yards to SEA 35 - 10 RY
7)MIN 11 - 38 yards to MIN 49 - 7 RY

Game 13: Road game. 2 43.5 (OP 3 37.7)
1)MIN 30 - 42 yards to ARI 28 - FC
2)MIN 26 - 49 yards to ARI 25 - 4 RY

Game 14: Home game. 3 NA 36.3 (OP 4 40.3)
1)MIN 16 - 36 yards to CHI 48 - FC
2)MIN 18 - 40 yards to CHI 42 - FC
3)MIN 47 - 53 yards to end zone - TB

Game 15: Home game. 4 NA 37.5 (OP 6 40)
1)MIN 26 - 36 yards to NYG 38 - muffs catch - no return
2)MIN 35 - 40 yards to NYG 25 - 12 RY
3)MIN 41 - 52 yards to NYG 7 - downed
4)NYG 45 - 34 yards to NYG 11 - downed

Game 16: Road game. 5 NA 36 (OP 4 39.3)
1)MIN 32 - 52 yards to GB 16 - 10 RY
2)MIN 40 - 41 yards to GB 19 - FC
3)GB 47 - 30 yards to GB 17 - FC
4)MIN 48 - 36 yards to GB 16 - FC
5)MIN 27 - 36 yards to GB 37 - 5 RY

Playoff game: Home game. 5 NA 32.4 (OP 5 34)
1)SEA 45 - 23 yards to SEA 22 - downed
2)MIN 34 - 34 yards to SEA 32 - 7 RY
3)SEA 45 - 36 yards to SEA 9 - 5 RY
4)MIN 37 - 32 yards to SEA 31 - FC
5)MIN 26 - 47 yards to SEA 27 - -2 RY

Interesting note: Times a returner fumbled or muffed punt: 4 including one turnover.


As for what kind of punter he is...look at what you want...I made it easy for you.

This is what I care about - punts and results from in around the 50 yard line. Say 45-45. I highlighted 'job done' in purple, 'fails' in red. Job done to me is getting it downed at the 10 or less. Or at least giving your team a chance to down it <10.

Too much red. My judgement may seem arbitrarily harsh but these are professionals. A 30 yard punt that doesn't get downed before the 10 doesn't impress me.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

If you have no critiques of your own and only want to defend the guy y'all should get and wear Locke jerseys then...

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom
I remember reading it. Unless Todd's research was false what DF is saying is true. Their is no possible way based on any normal way of evaluating punters that Locke outplayed our competition at home or otherwise.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

Actually, just because I or anyone else disagrees with what you said doesn't mean what you did isn't appreciated. I think it's just great to be able to look at the numbers.

I was looking at just the home games (as per the recent dust up) and was wondering what so wrong with these numbers?

It is hard to argue with the eye test though. A couple of bad kicks stick with the memory a long time.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

If if the shoes were on the other feet and we were talking about someone else how would you respond?

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom
I remember reading it. Unless Todd's research was false what DF is saying is true. Their is no possible way based on any normal way of evaluating punters that Locke outplayed our competition at home or otherwise.

Richard is on your side though, you've got that going for you. Not sure how he compared Locke at home to the other punters but he did rely on his memory so who am I to criticize ...

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

Actually, just because I or anyone else disagrees with what you said doesn't mean what you did isn't appreciated. I think it's just great to be able to look at the numbers.

I was looking at just the home games (as per the recent dust up) and was wondering what so wrong with these numbers?

It is hard to argue with the eye test though. A couple of bad kicks stick with the memory a long time.

The problem is that Priefer has now said twice in interviews that Locke outperformed the other team's punter in the home games and that's not true. There is no eye test - the stats and results are right there in Todd's post.

Does everyone realize just where the Vikings punting game ranks in the NFL?

Now please can someone post a quick stat on the gross return yards of our opposition so we can start this entire thing from the beginning one more time?

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

If if the shoes were on the other feet and we were talking about someone else how would you respond?

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom
I remember reading it. Unless Todd's research was false what DF is saying is true. Their is no possible way based on any normal way of evaluating punters that Locke outplayed our competition at home or otherwise.

Richard is on your side though, you've got that going for you. Not sure how he compared Locke at home to the other punters but he did rely on his memory so who am I to criticize ...

I relied on the stats that Todd had provided assuming they were not false. I had virtually no memory of how Locke had done at home. I vaguely recalled him being a subpar punter.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

If if the shoes were on the other feet and we were talking about someone else how would you respond?

quote:

ORIGINAL: kgdabom
I remember reading it. Unless Todd's research was false what DF is saying is true. Their is no possible way based on any normal way of evaluating punters that Locke outplayed our competition at home or otherwise.

Richard is on your side though, you've got that going for you. Not sure how he compared Locke at home to the other punters but he did rely on his memory so who am I to criticize ...

I relied on the stats that Todd had provided assuming they were not false. I had virtually no memory of how Locke had done at home. I vaguely recalled him being a subpar punter.

You posted this before Todd reposted it.

"... No possible way ... Locke outplayed our competition ..."

Based on what? The way you "... remember reading it." Did you remember reading him posting the oppositions numbers to compare? Or are Todd's numbers so overwhelming that you remember thinking that there is no way anyone could have worse numbers?

quote:

ORIGINAL: 69in09

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

Extremely biased

bunch of punts that are at the 11, 12, 13 yard line are fails?

A 61 yard punt that goes out of EZ is a fail?

quote:

ORIGINAL: 69in09

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

Extremely biased

bunch of punts that are at the 11, 12, 13 yard line are fails?

A 61 yard punt that goes out of EZ is a fail?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: 69in09

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

Extremely biased

bunch of punts that are at the 11, 12, 13 yard line are fails?

A 61 yard punt that goes out of EZ is a fail?

That would equal a 41 yard net. Prolly a lil harsh being a "fail" there but if we were punting from the 50 and it landed in the EZ that would be only a 30 yd net. not good.

quote:

ORIGINAL: shakeywalton

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: 69in09

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

Extremely biased

bunch of punts that are at the 11, 12, 13 yard line are fails?

A 61 yard punt that goes out of EZ is a fail?

That would equal a 41 yard net. Prolly a lil harsh being a "fail" there but if we were punting from the 50 and it landed in the EZ that would be only a 30 yd net. not good.

A 61 yard punt by Locke that goes out of/into the oppositions End Zone was kicked with the line of scrimmage at our own 39.

And nearly every punter in the league has boomed one into the end zone from the 50 yard line. Sometimes the fault of the punter, sometimes the fault of the coverage.

quote:

ORIGINAL: shakeywalton

quote:

ORIGINAL: 69in09

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

Extremely biased

bunch of punts that are at the 11, 12, 13 yard line are fails?

A 61 yard punt that goes out of EZ is a fail?

Exactly, the criteria used here is obviously to paint a picture other than what's actually occurring on the field.

I was pleasantly surprised by the results. I didn't think he was that good.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: shakeywalton

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: 69in09

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

Extremely biased

bunch of punts that are at the 11, 12, 13 yard line are fails?

A 61 yard punt that goes out of EZ is a fail?

That would equal a 41 yard net. Prolly a lil harsh being a "fail" there but if we were punting from the 50 and it landed in the EZ that would be only a 30 yd net. not good.

A 61 yard punt by Locke that goes out of/into the oppositions End Zone was kicked with the line of scrimmage at our own 39.

And nearly every punter in the league has boomed one into the end zone from the 50 yard line. Sometimes the fault of the punter, sometimes the fault of the coverage.

Right. Even if you kicked the ball clear out of the stadium from the 50, it would only register as a 50 yard net.

quote:

ORIGINAL: shakeywalton

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: shakeywalton

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

quote:

ORIGINAL: 69in09

quote:

ORIGINAL: hagar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricky J

I have a hard time with FC and downed punts being fails

Not allowing a return is usually not a bad thing. I also can't see how a 52 yd. punt downed at the 7 and a 37 yd. punt downed at the 2 aren't considered good punts. I'll also take a 61 yd. TB and a 60 yd. with no return anytime. I guess a 60 yd. downed at the 1 would be better. Several other very good kicks listed but these stood out as ones that should have been included as "job done" but weren't. Seems like a very biased analysis. I hollered at the TV like everyone else at bad punts, but, damn at least give him credit for when he actually did well.

Extremely biased

bunch of punts that are at the 11, 12, 13 yard line are fails?

A 61 yard punt that goes out of EZ is a fail?

That would equal a 41 yard net. Prolly a lil harsh being a "fail" there but if we were punting from the 50 and it landed in the EZ that would be only a 30 yd net. not good.

A 61 yard punt by Locke that goes out of/into the oppositions End Zone was kicked with the line of scrimmage at our own 39.

And nearly every punter in the league has boomed one into the end zone from the 50 yard line. Sometimes the fault of the punter, sometimes the fault of the coverage.

Right. Even if you kicked the ball clear out of the stadium from the 50, it would only register as a 50 yard net.

You mean Gross.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

It's easy to hate on kickers/punters

Locke certainly isn't anything more than average if that. But I'm ok with giving him another season.

However, he needs to do better as does Walsh. Both have had their ups and downs.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Trekgeekscott

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

It's easy to hate on kickers/punters

Locke certainly isn't anything more than average if that. But I'm ok with giving him another season.

However, he needs to do better as does Walsh. Both have had their ups and downs.

I think both are going to look a whole lot better working the majority of their games indoors.