(01-17-2019 08:32 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-17-2019 06:15 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(01-14-2019 09:57 PM)OwlSquared Wrote:  Not in the NFL yet, but Jack Fox is doing his best to add himself to the list.
https://twitter.com/Fryzee7/status/1084934108491452416

Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services lists Fox as the #3 punter in the 2019 NFL Draft: https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-nf...punters/18

That means he'll probably go somewhere as a free agent. One or maybe two punters is usually about it for the draft.

Unless another team has him in the top 1-2 punters and wants to take a punter in the draft:-)

My concern for Fox is that he seemed to shank a higher percentage of punts (i.e., less consistent) then Martens was. Martens had a good chance at an NFL career except for his ill-timed injury. Fox certainly has a booming leg.

edit: thinking of Martens, I looked back at the 2011 and 2012 rosters (Martens' last season at Rice was 2011). Jeeze, those teams had some players. 2 NFL CBs (Callahan and Gaines), 2 NFL TEs (Willson and McDonald), 2 NFL defensive lineman (Covington and Solomon), 4 WR who had at least NFL tryouts/invites (Jordan Taylor, Mario Hull, Dennis Parks, McGuffie), 1 NFL kicker (Boswell), Martens, and a host of other guys who were very good college players (including quite a few good RBs).

(01-18-2019 11:25 AM)mrbig Wrote:  edit: thinking of Martens, I looked back at the 2011 and 2012 rosters (Martens' last season at Rice was 2011). Jeeze, those teams had some players. 2 NFL CBs (Callahan and Gaines), 2 NFL TEs (Willson and McDonald), 2 NFL defensive lineman (Covington and Solomon), 4 WR who had at least NFL tryouts/invites (Jordan Taylor, Mario Hull, Dennis Parks, McGuffie), 1 NFL kicker (Boswell), Martens, and a host of other guys who were very good college players (including quite a few good RBs).

Downright mortifying that we managed to end up ranked 95 out of 120 in Massey. Its almost on par with Julen Loptegui's performance with the Los Blancos.

(01-17-2019 08:32 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-17-2019 06:15 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(01-14-2019 09:57 PM)OwlSquared Wrote:  Not in the NFL yet, but Jack Fox is doing his best to add himself to the list.
https://twitter.com/Fryzee7/status/1084934108491452416

Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services lists Fox as the #3 punter in the 2019 NFL Draft: https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-nf...punters/18

That means he'll probably go somewhere as a free agent. One or maybe two punters is usually about it for the draft.

While it used to be that way, there's been some wild swings over recent drafts. And I get the sense that teams sometimes look to save money at the kicking positions instead of paying top dollar for a proven kicker, when the value obtained in that very large veteran free agent contract may not be worth it. See the Seahawks last year as an example.

Not everyone is going that way, but it does happen some. Sometimes, a punter is drafted to provide competition, and if the kicker outperforms the incumbent, the team takes the benefit against the salary cap.

Here's the last 10 drafts and the number of punters, starting with 2018.

4, 0, 3, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3
source: http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldra...e=position

Before last year, 4 punters were drafted way back in 1999.

(01-18-2019 12:21 PM)gsloth Wrote:  

(01-17-2019 08:32 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-17-2019 06:15 PM)Almadenmike Wrote:  

(01-14-2019 09:57 PM)OwlSquared Wrote:  Not in the NFL yet, but Jack Fox is doing his best to add himself to the list.
https://twitter.com/Fryzee7/status/1084934108491452416

Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services lists Fox as the #3 punter in the 2019 NFL Draft: https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-nf...punters/18

That means he'll probably go somewhere as a free agent. One or maybe two punters is usually about it for the draft.

While it used to be that way, there's been some wild swings over recent drafts. And I get the sense that teams sometimes look to save money at the kicking positions instead of paying top dollar for a proven kicker, when the value obtained in that very large veteran free agent contract may not be worth it. See the Seahawks last year as an example.
Not everyone is going that way, but it does happen some. Sometimes, a punter is drafted to provide competition, and if the kicker outperforms the incumbent, the team takes the benefit against the salary cap.
Here's the last 10 drafts and the number of punters, starting with 2018.
4, 0, 3, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3
source: http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldra...e=position
Before last year, 4 punters were drafted way back in 1999.

So, 6 out of last 10 years, the #3 punter would have been a free agent.

(01-18-2019 12:09 PM)Antarius Wrote:  Its almost on par with Julen Loptegui's performance with the Los Blancos.

I honestly and literally have no idea what it means. And I am way to lazy, even though I have been furloughed for the last 4 weeks, to google this!

(01-19-2019 12:38 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 12:09 PM)Antarius Wrote:  Its almost on par with Julen Loptegui's performance with the Los Blancos.

I honestly and literally have no idea what it means. And I am way to lazy, even though I have been furloughed for the last 4 weeks, to google this!

Let's just say his tenure at Real Madrid, after a rather embarrassing departure from the Spanish national team, rivaled Brian Clough's at Leeds United.

(01-19-2019 01:00 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 12:38 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 12:09 PM)Antarius Wrote:  Its almost on par with Julen Loptegui's performance with the Los Blancos.

I honestly and literally have no idea what it means. And I am way to lazy, even though I have been furloughed for the last 4 weeks, to google this!

Let's just say his tenure at Real Madrid, after a rather embarrassing departure from the Spanish national team, rivaled Brian Clough's at Leeds United.

Who?

(01-19-2019 10:01 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 01:00 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 12:38 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 12:09 PM)Antarius Wrote:  Its almost on par with Julen Loptegui's performance with the Los Blancos.

I honestly and literally have no idea what it means. And I am way to lazy, even though I have been furloughed for the last 4 weeks, to google this!

Let's just say his tenure at Real Madrid, after a rather embarrassing departure from the Spanish national team, rivaled Brian Clough's at Leeds United.

Who?

Loptegui was coach of Spanish national men’s team at the World Cup in 2018. It was announced that he was leaving to go to Real Madrid at the end of the World Cup. Spain fired him the next day, changing coaches in the middle of the World Cup. He started his Real Madrid career with a loss, and was fired before the end of the year, end of October IIRC. I think he lasted a little longer than Clough (44 days) at Leeds United, but not much longer,

(01-19-2019 12:16 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 10:01 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 01:00 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 12:38 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 12:09 PM)Antarius Wrote:  Its almost on par with Julen Loptegui's performance with the Los Blancos.

I honestly and literally have no idea what it means. And I am way to lazy, even though I have been furloughed for the last 4 weeks, to google this!

Let's just say his tenure at Real Madrid, after a rather embarrassing departure from the Spanish national team, rivaled Brian Clough's at Leeds United.

Who?

Loptegui was coach of Spanish national men’s team at the World Cup in 2018. It was announced that he was leaving to go to Real Madrid at the end of the World Cup. Spain fired him the next day, changing coaches in the middle of the World Cup. He started his Real Madrid career with a loss, and was fired before the end of the year, end of October IIRC. I think he lasted a little longer than Clough (44 days) at Leeds United, but not much longer,

Since what's un-said may not be obvious to all, I'll add that this tangential sub-thread refers to soccer.

(01-19-2019 12:16 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 10:01 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 01:00 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 12:38 AM)mrbig Wrote:  

(01-18-2019 12:09 PM)Antarius Wrote:  Its almost on par with Julen Loptegui's performance with the Los Blancos.

I honestly and literally have no idea what it means. And I am way to lazy, even though I have been furloughed for the last 4 weeks, to google this!

Let's just say his tenure at Real Madrid, after a rather embarrassing departure from the Spanish national team, rivaled Brian Clough's at Leeds United.

Who?

Loptegui was coach of Spanish national men’s team at the World Cup in 2018. It was announced that he was leaving to go to Real Madrid at the end of the World Cup. Spain fired him the next day, changing coaches in the middle of the World Cup. He started his Real Madrid career with a loss, and was fired before the end of the year, end of October IIRC. I think he lasted a little longer than Clough (44 days) at Leeds United, but not much longer,

Sam Allardyce was another with a special tenure, lasting only 67 days. Although he wasnt fired for being a clown of a coach like the others; Allardyce's termination was for foolishly getting recorded talking about breaking rules.

That one ended up well for England however. Southgate has proven to be a decent coach. Also he shares my preferred choice of outfit (or I share his.. dunno).

Great outing by Jack Fox in the East-West Shrine Game and an impressive week overall. He’s going to be playing on Sundays this Fall!

5 punts, 46.8 yard average. 3 punts were downed inside the 20.

It's still a long shot that he'll get drafted (it's always a long shot for a punter to get drafted) but he's probably better off not getting drafted anyway. Then his agent can figure out what team is the best one to sign with as a free agent that gives him the best chance of making an NFL roster in 2019.

(01-19-2019 07:26 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  5 punts, 46.8 yard average. 3 punts were downed inside the 20.

It's still a long shot that he'll get drafted (it's always a long shot for a punter to get drafted) but he's probably better off not getting drafted anyway. Then his agent can figure out what team is the best one to sign with as a free agent that gives him the best chance of making an NFL roster in 2019.

??? If a punter gets drafted, it's highly likely-- if not a certainty-- that that team has an opening for a punter, and is drafting expecting the draftee to be their punter.

I just noticed that Cole Hunt is on the roster of the San Antonio Commanders in the new 8 team AAF which launches next month. The Commanders will play in the Alamodome.

https://aaf.com/san-antonio-commanders/
https://aaf.com/san-antonio-commanders/roster/

(01-19-2019 08:36 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-19-2019 07:26 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  It's still a long shot that he'll get drafted (it's always a long shot for a punter to get drafted) but he's probably better off not getting drafted anyway. Then his agent can figure out what team is the best one to sign with as a free agent that gives him the best chance of making an NFL roster in 2019.

??? If a punter gets drafted, it's highly likely-- if not a certainty-- that that team has an opening for a punter, and is drafting expecting the draftee to be their punter.

True. I reviewed the past five drafts, and all nine punters chosen in those years played 16 games the next season for the team that chose them ... and all but Drew Kaser (chosen #179 in 2016 by the Chargers) are still kicking for them. (Kaser played two seasons and then 4 games this year for the Chargers. He recently signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders.)

Cole Hunt made the final cut (1 of 4 TEs with the San Antonio Commanders).
https://aaf.com/san-antonio-commanders/roster

(02-01-2019 12:09 PM)OwlSquared Wrote:  Cole Hunt made the final cut (1 of 4 TEs with the San Antonio Commanders).
https://aaf.com/san-antonio-commanders/roster

FTR, the Alliance of American Football is not the NFL, but does appear to be operating like a developmental-type league.

Quote:It's not a farm system, but it might involve shades of the NBA G League.

"Our objective is to take some of those people who can't quite make it and make them into quality NFL players," (AAF co-founder Bill) Polian said.

And the NFL wants on-the-bubble players to get reps elsewhere, Polian said. The Chicago Bears recently gave Phoenix general manager Phil Savage a list of prospects for him to watch closely during a scouting trip to Bourbonnais, Illinois.

"Since NFL Europe expired 10 years ago, there's been a real desire and frustration by NFL personnel people that there's a missing link as far as a developmental type league for prospects that weren't quite ready," said Savage, former general manager of the Cleveland Browns and Senior Bowl director.

That development will be crucial. Players cut from NFL teams in late August and early September will compose much of the Alliance rosters. The NFL must trim training camp rosters from 90 to 53, and many of those guys can play.

The Alliance offers three-year, $250,000 player contracts that include an out clause if they get another crack at the NFL. There's bonus money for everything from marketing to public appearances, which is where bigger-name players -- perhaps accomplished NFL veterans muscled out of the game -- can make good side coin.

This made an interesting read.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaf-2...landscape/

One thing that was interesting is that it appears that talent is largely made available "regionally," so Rice players would most likely be trying to make the San Antonio team in many cases. I'm not sure if I'm totally reading that right, but it seemed to suggest that. (I didn't understand the point system, in it's simple description there.)

The Minnesota Vikings announced that they will not pick up the 2019 option on Andrew Sendejo.

Pete Prisco lists Christian Covington as an under-the-radar free agent who could make a difference for a new team. Maybe not paying dollar, but teams could see some value in them.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2019-...ifference/