DanAS wrote:
We can't compare the stats of a guy who punted in the 70s to a guy who punts today. With the passage of time, the best athletes will run faster, throw farther, punt farther, etc. (Remember when the 4 minute mile was all the rage?) The point is that Guy was THE MAN in his day, and Kluwe is hardly the best punter at present.
As for the issue of whether the coach "has a right" to express his opinion about Kluwe's outspokenness, sure he has a right. But we fans have a right to express ours in support of Kluwe's outspokenness. The "numbskulls" comment that I made wasn't so much based on this coach's statement as it was a reference to certain other decisions this franchise is making. Personally, given that we're not truly contending for the Title, I care about the fact that we have a punter who has such a nimble mind and who is willing to speak it. I mean, as long as we play Ponder at QB, I'd be willing to have a Oscar Wilde for a punter -- presuming, of course, the he wouldn't fumble the snap. He would need to at least get off a punt. I do have my standards for that position. Even Ponder deserves a punter with a positive net average.
I agree. Ponder needs a good punter I think Kluwe is a solid punter FWIW. He's had a few inconsistencies this year, but his overall stats are acceptable (the difference in Yards per Punt Average between the best and worst punters right now is 10 yards anyway so there is not alot of difference in that area), so I don't see the Vikings making a change there anytime soon. Kluwe's OK, he's just losing my interest. I think he can say whatever he wants, I would just hope the same standard applies to those who voice opinions about Kluwe (either positive or negative). You did make a good point about the improvement of athletes over time, and I had overlooked that when I made my previous post about Kluwe's punting average in comparison to Guy - point taken.
I've told people a million times not to exaggerate!
Eli wrote:Do you know why Ray Guy is not in the Hall of Fame? Because nobody gives a damn. Do you know why nobody gives a damn? Because he was a punter.
Nobody cares about kickers until your team has one that is horrible.
I think Kluwe is a solid punter FWIW. He's had a few inconsistencies this year, but his overall stats are acceptable (the difference in Yards per Punt Average between the best and worst punters right now is 10 yards anyway so there is not alot of difference in that area), so I don't see the Vikings making a change there anytime soon. Kluwe's OK, he's just losing my interest. I think he can say whatever he wants, I would just hope the same standard applies to those who voice opinions about Kluwe (either positive or negative). You did make a good point about the improvement of athletes over time, and I had overlooked that when I made my previous post about Kluwe's punting average in comparison to Guy - point taken.
