Has Sam Koch Eased You Punter Concern?

**PurpleRulz** · 08-27-2006, 05:29 PM

http://baltimoreravens.com/news/article.jsp?id=11901

For me, he has. The guy averaged 51 and his longest was 61. I want to see him do it again on Thursday.

His KOs did not leave much to be desired, but he is definitely our punter. They were landing consistently on the 7. Looks as if we will carry three kickers with Aaron Elling kicking off.

**RavenFanatic2k6** · 08-27-2006, 05:31 PM

I doubt that Elling will be kept. Koch can kick it to the 5-10, thats good enough, it's a fair trade off. A few yards for an extra roster spot for an extra DB or RB, etc.

**The Fanatic** · 08-27-2006, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by RavenFanatic2k6

I doubt that Elling will be kept. Koch can kick it to the 5-10, thats good enough, it's a fair trade off. A few yards for an extra roster spot for an extra DB or RB, etc.

Dunno about that.
Seems to me one of the main stradegys of our coaching staff is the field position game.
Those extra few yards make up a huge difference in that dept.

I think we would go one less in the linebacker dept. before DB or RB.

**B-more Ravor** · 08-27-2006, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by PurpleRulz

http://baltimoreravens.com/news/article.jsp?id=11901

For me, he has. The guy averaged 51 and his longest was 61. I want to see him do it again on Thursday.

LOL - PR, just a little over a week ago you said Koch should be among the first cuts and that you had seen enough.

What a difference a week makes, huh?

**Greg** · 08-27-2006, 06:42 PM

A few yards for an extra roster spot for an extra DB or RB, etc.

That's not a few extra yards, if Elling gets some touchbacks with starts on the 20 occasionally and his balls are to the 10 and get run back to the 30 or more with the chance of even more, that's a big difference.

**PurpleRulz** · 08-27-2006, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by B-more Ravor

LOL - PR, just a little over a week ago you said Koch should be among the first cuts and that you had seen enough.

What a difference a week makes, huh?

Hey, it is good to be wrong in this case. I was also down on Adam Terry. I guess the trend is to get excited about players that I say I am down on.

**StingerNLG** · 08-27-2006, 06:46 PM

I was pretty impressed that returners kept having to run backwards or to the sideline to catch the ball. That said, let's see what happens when he's back outside with the wind blowing through the stadium.

**RavenFanatic2k6** · 08-27-2006, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Greg

That's not a few extra yards, if Elling gets some touchbacks with starts on the 20 occasionally and his balls are to the 10 and get run back to the 30 or more with the chance of even more, that's a big difference.

Yes, but Elling doesn't kick it into the endzone all that often. He did against the Giants but hasn't done it since, they've been going to the 5 or so and Koch had about the same distance. Elling usually only got it between the 5-10 last year anyway, and I don't believe you suddenly gain an extra 5 yards on your kicks, likely the wind factored into those kicks in the first game.

I just don't see it happening this year. We kept extra ST-only guys in the past but Gary Zauner is no longer here. If we can get away with having Koch kick off and it appears they are leaning that way with him handling most of the KOs vs. Vikings, I believe we will.

Plus, it's not like we can't resign him if Koch proves unable to handle it. I seriously doubt there is going to be a rush of teams trying to sign him if we cut him.

**Mobtown** · 08-27-2006, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by StingerNLG

I was pretty impressed that returners kept having to run backwards or to the sideline to catch the ball. That said, let's see what happens when he's back outside with the wind blowing through the stadium.

Agreed. I would also like to see him do some placement punting from the opposing 40yrd line or so. Can he pin them back consistantly?

**RavenScallywag** · 08-28-2006, 08:23 AM

I want to see Koch do it again next week, but he's back in my good graces again.

**GreenWave52** · 08-28-2006, 08:29 AM

My punting concerns won't be eased until week 4. If we get good games out of Koch from now until then, I'll feel confident in his abilities.

If we cut Elling, we would probably be able to pick him back up. I don't think there are a ton of teams knocking down his door.

**BirdFan** · 08-28-2006, 08:44 AM

Can Koch also back up Stover for field goals, if necessary? At Matt's advanced age, a pulled hammy (or something) is always a possibility.

**Kaven** · 08-28-2006, 08:48 AM

That 61 yarder saved Koch. His prior 53 yarder only had a net of 33. Kickoffs are short, not what we need. We have to be patient with a rookie. I am willing to wait a few weeks, but at this point he is no weapon.

**RavensDomination** · 08-28-2006, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by BirdFan

Can Koch also back up Stover for field goals, if necessary? At Matt's advanced age, a pulled hammy (or something) is always a possibility.

I was thinking the same thing. Elling wasn't bad in Minnesota, he would fill in nicely for Stover just in case. Ask Dallas how much fun it is trying to pick up a kicker midseason...

**Sports Steve** · 08-28-2006, 09:03 AM

I need to see him this week also before I decide. Punting is real important in the NFL since we have a offense who still has to prove it can get deep into the opponent's part of the field. Field position is extremely important part of the game. Anyway guess we will know soon.

**B-more Ravor** · 08-29-2006, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by RavenDomination

I was thinking the same thing. Elling wasn't bad in Minnesota, he would fill in nicely for Stover just in case. Ask Dallas how much fun it is trying to pick up a kicker midseason...

I'm guessing that they cut Elling and then, maybe, look to re-sign him after week 1 - if Koch doesn't KO very well. By doing it this way, they can accomplish 3 things:

1. Get to see Koch in real game action
2. If Elling isn't on the roster for week 1, then his salary is not guaranteed - which means they are basically paying him weekly and if they need that roster spot at some point later in the season, then they can cut him and the rest of his salary is not owed to him, nor does not count against the cap.
3. They can keep one more player on the roster for an extra week. By doing so, and then trying to get him onto the PS after week 1, then may have a better chance of doing so, since at that point, teams may consider their PS set for a while.

**RavenScallywag** · 08-30-2006, 07:59 AM

wow...GREAT article on Koch in the Sun...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/f...orts-headlines

He's 24 and has 3 kids and a wife! Although, Araguz has a newborn too, so BOTH these guys need this job.

**Bez513** · 09-01-2006, 10:40 AM

What do you guys think now? I think Koch punted well last night. He needs to work on short yardage punting but that should be something fixable. I didn't see any of his KOs. Does this make Elling history?

**RavenScallywag** · 09-01-2006, 10:43 AM

I could tell from practice before the game, Koch had this thing owned.

Punts were all great last night, and most of the kicks were deep. Had a few line drives that didn't look so good, but for the most part, I'd say he's ready to step up.

**RavensDomination** · 09-01-2006, 10:45 AM

Let Koch get some more playing time and I think he will improve. He has looked fine so far but there is always room for improvement. Araguz is a journeyman who they just brought in to make sure the rook didn't think his job was being handed to him, IMO.