Comments on: Stats Pause: Punts, Kickoffs and a Quarterback

By: rcsodak

rcsodak — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:01:57 +0000

With Todd, you get a proven commodity. Ernster’s play dropped off last year, dramatically, after Todd left.

Hmmmm….Pro Bowler, or ex-kicker.

Shanny took the smart move.

By: LawDog

LawDog — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:01:52 +0000

Is “somewhere in the middle third” more palatable than saying “at the top of the bottom half of the league”?

Could we see a breakdown of pre-season playing minutes for the same list of “starters”? Or number of plays/downs? What about a ratio of pass v run for each? And could you just pop out and grab a couple cups o’ coffee and a bagel or two? Just kidding, I don’t really want a bagel…

By: Mason's Morsels » Blog Archive » Ernster Among Tuesday Departures

Mason's Morsels » Blog Archive » Ernster Among Tuesday Departures — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:27:16 +0000

[...] Mason’s Morsels Blogging Since 2006 « Stats Pause: Punts, Kickoffs and a Quarterback [...]

By: wormyblackburny

wormyblackburny — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:07:47 +0000

I agree with 100%. Granted the defense has a little way to go, but I think offensively, Jay just needs to be efficient to give us a chance to win. We have lots of talent on both sides of the ball, but the season begins and ends with our ability to beat Indy and the Chargers. I think we are good enough to do it, and have a great chance to make the playoffs. Superbowl??? Maybe, barring any major injuries. Rothlisberger is HALF the qb that Cutler is, but managed to win a ring behind a great defense. I think our defense is going to have to have a special year to get us to the BIG game. If they do, Jay is certainly good enough to deliver.

By: BroncoTalk - Denver Broncos Blog and News Source » Broncos Will Release Two More - Punter Ernster, Safety Harris

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:37:35 +0000

[...] I have mixed feelings about losing Ernster – I applauded the move of releasing Sauerbrun last year after his 4-game suspension, based on the great work by Ernster. But, as many fans know, his game seemed to fall off last year after the competition wasn’t there nipping him at the butt. When Sauerbrun was brought back, I had said this would be Ernster’s last chance to earn (no pun intended) and keep his job. And he did that – just look at this statistical breakdown courtesy Andrew Mason: [...]

By: 100%

100% — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:29:03 +0000

I think Cutler is going to be amazing. The offense should really come out of its shell this year with Javon Walker being totally healthy, Brandon Marshall looking really good, Brandon Stokely being nearly 100%, and Travis Henry running up and down opposing defenses. The only issue I have is with the defense, which is starting to show that they are getting more comfortable with the new system, and that comfort should begin to increase steadily as the regular season progresses. And by the way, what is up with the Rocky Mountain News writers and readers, I read an article that was totally bashing the Broncos and to make it worse the fans posting comments were jumping on the bashing bandwagon. Jeezus people, stick by your team or go find another sport to be fickle with. GO BRONCOS!!

100% Broncos Fan

By: AndrewMason

AndrewMason — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:03:09 +0000

OBF:

The high and low is not removed. The NFL does not remove high and low punts and kickoffs from their statistical measurements; therefore, neither do I. It is a small sample size, but I’d still wager it’s more accurate than measuring practice, where the players are rarely in full pads, which impacts the quality and speed the punt-rush and punt-protection units. Additionally, the the winds don’t generally swirl around on an open practice field the way they do in a stadium setting. It’s not quite apples and oranges. You can compare raw leg strength on the practice field, but as the variables accumulate in a game situation, it makes comparison from mid-week to game day difficult.

From the field-level angle I had at training camp, it was tough to judge yardage on punts. Based on hang-time numbers, Sauerbrun had the better of it on punts, but Ernster seemed to get a little more air under his kickoffs.

By: Bronco T

Bronco T — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:02:30 +0000

Ernster looked better in the preseason last year too, but look how sh***y he did during the year. Ill take Sauerbrun.

By: OBF

OBF — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:32:34 +0000

A question about the stats:

Did you take out the high and low for each before doing the average, otherwise they might be skewed by one really bad or good kick/punt, also nine punt is a pretty ridiculously samll sample size to make any judgements off of, the kicker will be determined in practice and in the coaches offices, not in the few preseason game kicks. If you have any access to statistics that are kept during the practice, those could be trulky enlightening.

By: denverobsession

denverobsession — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:18:00 +0000

I really think that Paul Ernster will win the starting job this year over Todd Sauerbrun. I thought he’d looked better while watching the game, but after seeing the stats you listed, I feel even stronger that Ernster is the better kicker.

Thanks,
Jonathan Douglas
http://www.BroncoTalk.net