Just saw where NFL HOFer and Southern Miss Legend Ray Guy has died. I'm old enough to remember when John Madden used to heap mountains of praise on the Oakland/LA Raiders "Greatest Punter of All Time". ESPN reports that his actual punting average would be no big deal comparted to the current NFL crop of punters. But in his day, Ray Guy was a real weapon. Condolences to all the Southern Miss Golden Eagles Fans.

(11-03-2022 03:39 PM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  Just saw where NFL HOFer and Southern Miss Legend Ray Guy has died. I'm old enough to remember when John Madden used to heap mountains of praise on the Oakland/LA Raiders "Greatest Punter of All Time". ESPN reports that his actual punting average would be no big deal comparted to the current NFL crop of punters. But in his day, Ray Guy was a real weapon. Condolences to all the Southern Miss Golden Eagles Fans.

Thank you. It's a sad day for Southern Miss
R I P Ray Guy

(11-03-2022 03:39 PM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  his actual punting average would be no big deal compared to the current NFL crop of punters.

I guess that’s mostly because the punters of today are just as jacked as the linebackers, but I also wonder if there has been any change to the actual football itself (weight, material, etc.) that would change the stats.

He was only 72. Anyone know the cause of death?

He had been sick for awhile. I can’t remember if it was disclosed what he had or not.

72 is young

Lots of people don’t realize Ray also holds the single season record for INT’s (he played db as well) and is second all time career INTs. He also pitched a no hitter for USM in baseball. Ray was a complete athlete.

(11-03-2022 07:32 PM)gdunn Wrote:  He had been sick for awhile. I can’t remember if it was disclosed what he had or not.

Cause of death was complications from COPD.

(11-03-2022 04:40 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(11-03-2022 03:39 PM)BlueRaiderBoy Wrote:  his actual punting average would be no big deal compared to the current NFL crop of punters.

I guess that’s mostly because the punters of today are just as jacked as the linebackers, but I also wonder if there has been any change to the actual football itself (weight, material, etc.) that would change the stats.

I was thinking that might be the case as well. That would also help explain why 60-yard-plus field goals are happening more and more.

But actually if you look at the yearly leaders, I wonder if it was more of a case of a dead ball that existed in the 1970's? Since 1939, the only times a punter led the NFL in punting average with an average of under 44 yards a punt was in 1945 (Sammy Baugh), 1950, 1954, 1960 (easily the worst average - 40.5), and then six straight years from 1974 to 1979 (Guy led the league 3 of those 6 years). Just once since then - 1989.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/l...y_year.htm

The stat they didn’t keep was hang time. His punts were far higher than most other punters.

Just as side note, the 93 yard punt he had against Ole Miss went through the end zone and was finally stopped by a fence about 10 yards further.

Ray was a very nice guy. Very humble and approachable. He will be missed.

(11-04-2022 08:15 AM)Bearkat21 Wrote:  

(11-03-2022 07:32 PM)gdunn Wrote:  He had been sick for awhile. I can’t remember if it was disclosed what he had or not.

Cause of death was complications from COPD.

Not to make light of his demise, but when I read that I immediately thought of the guy from "The Replacements" tossing his cigarette onto the turf before making the kick.

So sorry USM faithful. He was an ATHLETE!

(11-05-2022 08:45 AM)Was SoMs Eagle Wrote:  The stat they didn’t keep was hang time. His punts were far higher than most other punters.

Just as side note, the 93 yard punt he had against Ole Miss went through the end zone and was finally stopped by a fence about 10 yards further.

Ray was a very nice guy. Very humble and approachable. He will be missed.

I was about to post this exact point till I saw this post.One other thing is there are hardly no grass fields if any. Ball hits turf it's more likely to take off and go like hell for added yardage than if it hits on a grass field.