Making the Case for Graham Gano

[Bang]

I understand your frustration. I think you understand that I have no idea whether Danny Smith should stay or go. I'm not in a position to judge a special teams coach. I really don't think there's that much to it. I see a lot of dumb penalties in ST in the NFL. I think ordinary intelligence is an underrated factor when acquiring talent. Dumb players make dumb mistakes.

I coached 11-12 year-old boys in three sports. Give me a bunch of smart kids and I can coach a smart game of football, baseball or basketball. Give me a bunch of slow-witted kids, I'm helpless.

~ Joe

i get what you say when you say we as outsiders really don't have an objective way of viewing what a coach actually does.
All we have is the result.


Personally, I liked Gano, and I will even give credit for Danny actually developing him. Other than blocks last year (which have been shown to not be his fault) he was a damn fine kicker, and considering we brought him as a rook... we'd seen progressive improvement in the kid's game. His leg strength is superior, at least it looks that way from my sofa.
the move to Cundiff was a total head-scratcher to me.

~Bang

[Oldfan]

I'll take "e" for $500

E being "Answers B and D"

Why do I say that?

Because Hester hasn't been the only person returning kicks for them over that timeline, nor the only person successful at doing it (Though absolutely was the most successful). I would also imagine that there's another aspect to that answer...the fact you have such a dynamic kick returner like Hester puts more focus of importance onto your special teams, likely invigorating a coach and also providing a heightened focus on it by the team in general. I would say Hester has a HUGE part to play in that improvement...but he's not the only part. Additionally, your statement doesn't disprove Bang's notion that coaches affect their players as his argument wasn't that "Coaches are the ONLY things that affects how players perform"

You came in in the middle of an on-going debate.

In a previous thread, Bang supported another poster's offer of Danny Smith's DVOA rankings as evidence that Danny was not a good Special Teams coach. I used Dave Taub's rankings to illustrate how one outstanding kick returner probably impacted Taub's rankings. Therefore, Bang's reasoning based on the evidence of Smith's rankings is flawed.

[Bang]

My disgust with Danny is more than any ranking. That was just one more reason on a long list, as far as I'm concerned.



~Bang

[kevinklein]

I haven't followed this thread since the bump, but let me simply add this:

The case for Graham Gano was made when his competition was Neil Rackers, and he won that job. Billy Cundiff made an even stronger case for Graham Gano last night. Dark horse.

[cphil006]

Neil William Rackers[2] (born August 16, 1976) is an American football placekicker of the National Football League (NFL), who is currently a free agent.

****maybe he still has his uniform*****

Can we bring him in for competition???

How can Tampa find the kicker they did and we're still looking for our Chip Lohmiller?

[bowhunter]

OK Shanny, it's time to make the call. How many has cund-whiff (I like that nickname) missed inside the 35??

[BeefJerky]

I'm sure they have Gano on speed dial. PLEASE make the call shanny!

[MDTERPS27]

I'm done. Cundiff never missed in Baltimore until the Championship game, but he has sucked for us. He offers nothing that Gano can't provide. At least Gano gives us a chance from 50+, or god forbid if we ever needed one from 55+.

[redskins55]

whose talent?

Griffin's talent!

[ThisOneGoesTo11]

Edit: Posted in more relevant thread.

[#BgMase76#]

I don't think anyone here needs to make the case for Gano or any other kicker. Cundiff is his own best argument.

[bowhunter]

I don't think anyone here needs to make the case for Gano or any other kicker. Cundiff is his own best argument.

Agreed here. I wonder if a new guy is brought in, when would it occur? Is Tomorrow too soon?

[aolforbroadband]

Cundiff will be cut by Wednesday, mark my words.

[TheGreatBuzz]

Cundiff will be cut by Wednesday, mark my words.

I would honestly be surprised if it takes that long. After last week, they have to at least talked to a few other kickers. I am thinking tomorrow he is gone.

[RedskinsandRockBandFan]

Get a competition between Gano and Rackers again and see who comes out better like during August. Cundiff needs to go NOW! I couldn't believe that he missed two kicks within the 35 and had me worried when he was kicking from practically extra point range. He has not earned his spot should be cut asap. I'm so tired of missing points because of inept kickers, while other teams kickers are looking great.