Kicker, Whom Will It Be?

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 10:57 am

I am concerned obout our kicking game this year, last year it really sucked. I think we have Chocran and maybe the fresman Bolton kid. Anybody know anthing about our kicking prospects? Do we suck once again or are there high hopes. Let me know.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 11:05 am

I anticipate...and I think gfallscat said the same thing...that Bolton will be doing FGs and PATs and a JC kicker who is also new this year is booming kickoffs already and may possibly be taking long FGs. Accuracy on FGs may be a concern with this kid, thus the reason for using Bolton on closer FGs. Dont know Boltons range though.

I understand that Tyler Bolton is one heck of a kid and will do whatever it takes to succeed in Bozeman. One thing for sure, our kicking game is much improved over last few seasons. Even if there are some growing pains with a freshman and a JC kicker, anything this year will be an improvement.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 11:17 am

Thanks Cat Pride, maybe I am just a nervious Nelly but the competition is going to be tough this year and we need to be a well rounded team. Just to shine on D or have a Red Headed QB is not going to be enough. All of the games could be very close and the kicking game could very well make the differance between a win or lose. I am anxious for September 11, "but on the other hand", could make a country western song out of that, I am scared s.... less. I had better take a deep breath now.

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 9:54 pm

I watched practice today and I thought Bolton looked strong. Both he and Cochrane were kicking field goals effortlessly and accurately from 33 yards. The other kicker seemed to hit them lower when kicking out of the grass. If he is the one that kicks off, he must be a lot stronger off the tee. Cochrane was also punting with good hang time. I'm not sure if the others tried it...I just noticed him punting when I looked over there.

VictorG · Post by **VictorG** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 8:46 am

Helcat72 wrote:Cochrane was also punting with good hang time. I'm not sure if the others tried it...I just noticed him punting when I looked over there.

What, your QB isn't going to punt? I actually thought that was pretty effective last year but it is taking a risk with the QB's health!

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Sat Aug 21, 2004 9:07 am

VictorG wrote:
Helcat72 wrote:Cochrane was also punting with good hang time. I'm not sure if the others tried it...I just noticed him punting when I looked over there.
What, your QB isn't going to punt? I actually thought that was pretty effective last year but it is taking a risk with the QB's health!

Lulay will punt, everytime, if he's in the game... per Kramer. They're probably just finding out who the backup is if Lulay gets hurt...

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:38 am

Helcat72 wrote:I watched practice today and I thought Bolton looked strong. Both he and Cochrane were kicking field goals effortlessly and accurately from 33 yards. The other kicker seemed to hit them lower when kicking out of the grass. If he is the one that kicks off, he must be a lot stronger off the tee. Cochrane was also punting with good hang time. I'm not sure if the others tried it...I just noticed him punting when I looked over there.

I think the last few years must have been really frustrating for EJ... From what I can tell, the guy has been a stud kicker for most of his life. He made some all metro team in PA that is pretty steep in talent, and he initially played for a Big East school. Something must have got inside his kitchen for him to have become so inconsistent on kickoffs... I think it is because of that reason alone that he hasn't been given many FG opportunities (although he did kick that game winner in the opening game two years ago).

The guy has always been able to launch the ball deep, though, that is for sure. Sometimes its deep into the sideline bleachers, but, deep never the less.

I bet it's like when you get a hitch in your golf swing, and the more you try to smoothe it out, the more it f's with your head.

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:45 am

I was thinking, when was the last time you were comfortable with our kicking game?

I remember Carson Souter being descent, and Groshelle was excellent at times, but how long has it been since we really had a money guy back there?

As far as punter goes, I can still remember Matthew Peot kicking some of the most beautiful balls I have ever seen (we punted a lot back then). I was always surprised that he never got a NFL punter job, didn't he average over 47 yds during conference play his senior year?

It's Sunday and I'm bored... 3 weeks to go.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:39 pm

I would love to see a game picture with Tyler Bolton and Jeff Bolton standing next to each other with 'Bolton' on the back of their Jerseys. I bet Jeff is clost to double the size of Tyler.

profisme · Post by **profisme** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:01 pm

I talked to E.J. about how things were looking, and he seemed to be pretty confident about what might happen this year. He is a good friend of mine, and I know very well how frustrated he has been the last 2 years, mostly because he can kick 50+ yarders fairly routinely, and Cook had problems with anything over 35. E.J.'s accuracy has been questioned, and rightfully so the last 2 years, but he will silence the critics this year when he gets his chance.

This is my first post on this board, and I have to say, the team looks great this year.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 1:18 pm

promisme: Welcome to the board, I hope you turn into a regular on here.

As for EJ, I hope you're right. He has a huge leg, and if he can get things right upstairs, he could be all-conference caliber.