Stat of the Week: Week 13 (you’ll get a kick out of this one)

[AvengerRam]

Matt Gay is having an outstanding season as a place kicker:

FG%: 96.0 (23/24) - 2nd in NFL
XP%: 97.2 (35/36 - 7th in NFL

Gay is the only PK in the NFL who has a success rate of over 95% on both FGs and PATs.

Impressive numbers, and much better than the guy he ultimately (after a number of failed experiments) replaced, Greg Zuerlein (81.0/89.3) and the guy who replaced him in Tampa, Ryan Succop (83.0/93.6).

On the flip side, Gay has the lowest average kickoff distance (60.0) and the most kickoffs out of bounds (4) in the NFL. I wonder, though, if this is the result of an issue with Gay or, rather, deliberate efforts to pin teams deep.

FWIW, Gay's touchback % (56.2) is 15th and he is 9th in total touchbacks (41), so I don't think he is incapable of putting it in the end zone on a consistent basis. Perhaps, that's what he should be doing every time.

 

[Tano]

FWIW, Gay's touchback % (56.2) is 15th and he is 9th in total touchbacks (41), so I don't think he is incapable of putting it in the end zone on a consistent basis. Perhaps, that's what he should be doing every time.

This times a billion

I believe that the only times Gay doesn't put it into the end zone are times that the special teams coach specifically tells Gay to kick it high and short and in a specific direction. That is probably Gay's only weakness. His directional kicks are not that great.

Just tell him to kick it out of the end zone where the other team will always start at the 25 and the chances of anyone getting hurt on the play is limited to almost 0%

 

[RamBall]

The way our ST has covered kicks I would just kick it through the endzone every time. Not only does it prevent the possibility of a long return but it will also help on the injury front. We have lost enough players to injury this year and touchbacks are 1 way to minimize the risk of more injuries.

 

[Faceplant]

I believe that the only times Gay doesn't put it into the end zone are times that the special teams coach specifically tells Gay to kick it high and short and in a specific direction.

As I mentioned in the GDT yesterday, opposing ST's coaches do this to us a TON because we are absolutely no threat at all in the return game. I would have to look up our average starting field position after a kickoff, because I swear it has to be bottom of the league....

 

[Tano]

As I mentioned in the GDT yesterday, opposing ST's coaches do this to us a TON because we are absolutely no threat at all in the return game. I would have to look up our average starting field position after a kickoff, because I swear it has to be bottom of the league....

Powell got 66 yards on the first kickoff so that helps

 

[Merlin]

Yeah you can't really put too much into the touchback rate because teams call for the deep kicks at different rates. We don't know what the calls are and tbh I don't think Gay has any issues with leg strength. He's not a young GZ but he's also not a weak leg type.

I actually don't even like talking about kickers because jinx and they're a weird bunch. But yeah he's been automatic and it's kind of amazing how we lucked out with him.

 

[Mackeyser]

Matt Gay is having an outstanding season as a place kicker:

FG%: 96.0 (23/24) - 2nd in NFL
XP%: 97.2 (35/36 - 7th in NFL

Gay is the only PK in the NFL who has a success rate of over 95% on both FGs and PATs.

Impressive numbers, and much better than the guy he ultimately (after a number of failed experiments) replaced, Greg Zuerlein (81.0/89.3) and the guy who replaced him in Tampa, Ryan Succop (83.0/93.6).

On the flip side, Gay has the lowest average kickoff distance (60.0) and the most kickoffs out of bounds (4) in the NFL. I wonder, though, if this is the result of an issue with Gay or, rather, deliberate efforts to pin teams deep.

FWIW, Gay's touchback % (56.2) is 15th and he is 9th in total touchbacks (41), so I don't think he is incapable of putting it in the end zone on a consistent basis. Perhaps, that's what he should be doing every time.

I think there are times when he's trying to slice the onion too thin by half... The last out of bounds kick he kicked just missed being a touchback. I'm sure they've been working hard on the coverage units and were trying for a shorter field.

With our only pick in the 3rd round, I desperately hope we get the best returner out there unless someone too good to pass up slips to us... which might happen in this draft...