Any word on how the kicking game is coming along?
- Thread starter Pepperman
- Start date
Personally, I am not a fan of a two-kicker arrangement (one for short FG, one for long). As a coach, all it does is create the potential for confusion. Just look at what occurred in the Iowa-Ball State game in 2014, when both Marshal Koehn and Mick Ellis ran onto the field, and in the ensuing confusion, Marshall took the initiative and kicked it. Players don't like it either because they have to split reps with another kicker.
There may be a situation where one kicker were to do KO and the other do FG/PAT, however. That would be a much less confusing arrangement, and has been used by many teams in the past. Coluzzi came from such a situation at Central Michigan.
Jazzman, in your opinion (not sure how you'd know unless they practice this) are either of the two more athletic running or throwing the ball? If they are about the same in the kicking game, but KF wants to run some fakes again this year, that might be the difference maker?
I don't know about Ellis. I can tell you that Miguel is close to beating a couple of the existing specialist records (eg, pro agility) and was recently assigned to the fastest group (I think they're called "semis") in Doyle's system. He's beaten some of our starting receivers and DBs on occasion, in some of Doyle's drills. So, Miguel is fast for a specialist.
Miguel can throw a legitimate 35 yard spiral. I'm not talking a "chuck it up there" type of throw, but a tight flat throw. He's accurate hitting a stationary target, but I don't think I've ever seen him try to hit a moving target at game speed, actually.
FWIW, Miguel is a very good open field tackler in one-on-one situations. I hope I never have to see that in action, however!
I can understand if people are dubious about these statements, however there are numbers to back up his ability and speed. I'm sure he'll own a spot or two on Doyle's records wall, before all is said and done.
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Awesome info, thanks for sharing! Can't imagine the feeling of having your son play for the team he has followed since he was a kid.
Numbers from Morehouse from Kids Day:
Field Goals
Miguel Recinos: The sophomore missed his first two kicks (37, 47), but nailed his next six to finish 6 of 8. His last two were the most impressive, 44- and 46-yarders into a decent breeze into the north end zone. Those kicks showed he might have an edge. (Caveat: These guys are going to kick 1,000 FGs during the course of camp. We got to see eight to 10 on Saturday, so these are hardly definitive observations.)
Mick Ellis: The sophomore was perfect in the early section, hitting 6 of 6 including FGs from 45 and 47. In the last section into the wind, he badly pulled a 44-yarder and had a 46-yarder tipped before it fell short. He finished 6 of 8 with that finishing contrast to Recinos’ 2-for-2 in the same situation.
Keith Duncan: The walk-on from North Carolina went 7 of 10. He had two blocked early. Maybe it was senior safety Anthony Gair exploiting an opening on FG unit or maybe Keith was line driving. Maybe a little of both. He made 1 of 3 from 47 yards, with two of those being blocked. He made 45 and 47 yarders in team.
Caleb Shudak: The walk-on freshman from Council Bluffs started hot (hitting his first four including a 47-yarder), but made just 1 of 4 in the team section. He finished 5 of 8.
From what I saw at Saturday's scrimmage, Mick Ellis is making a strong case to be the
Hawkeye kicker. Competition is good and perhaps they'll share the kicking duties.
GO HAWKS
Competition is good.From what I saw at Saturday's scrimmage, Mick Ellis is making a strong case to be the
Hawkeye kicker. Competition is good and perhaps they'll share the kicking duties.
GO HAWKS
It is a close competition between them right now. May the best man win.
Actually, I'd prefer accuracy, because I don't think there's that much difference in their
Leg strength.
Go Hawks
Actually, I'd prefer accuracy, because I don't think there's that much difference in their
Leg strength.
Go Hawks
Mick Ellis :
High school honors - - earned second team all-state honors as a junior . . . Career - - connected on 13-17 field goals as a junior, including kicks of 53, 52 and 49 yards . . . had 34 touchbacks. Personal - - Born 5/26/95 . . . open major
Miquel Recinos :
High school honors - - Earned all-state honors as a senior . . . Career - - Connected on 10-16 field goal attempts as a senior, with a long of 58 yards . . . also made 18-20 PAT attempts . . . had 34 touchbacks and also carried a 43.7 yard punting average. Personal - - Born 8/07/95 . . . chemistry major
these are relatively small sample sizes from 3 years ago... but it sure would be nice to have somebody who can kick a field goal from 58 yards if need be.
plus.. I like the touch backs.
I'm rootin for Recinos
I cant forget either...I had a front row seat to the most disappointing game in my 40 year history as a fan. Hard to care much about this year knowing they will just get buried again when it matters at the end of the year.
I think that's great to hear. You should never have to apologize for being a proud papa. Sounds like we might see one or two of those Kirk 2.0 fake kicks this year.
I still think if they're going to make a change to the rules they should not allow any kicking team player to go inside the opponents 20 or 25 yard line that way they have to be basically stopped or running slow at the time of collision
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