Punter debate

[BossHog]

Groom on the practice squad means another team can sign him. Make him active and give Tupa the ax.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by BossHog

Groom on the practice squad means another team can sign him. Make him active and give Tupa the ax.

Considering the importance of, and difficulty finding, a good punter, is it possible we'd keep both Tupa and Groom? It would be hard to make room for him (especially considering that we have a whole bunch of talented "depth-players" at other positions), but he might be worth it. Tupa only has a season or two left and my memory of shanked Barker punts still haunts me.

PS - Didn't we let place kicker David Akers go because we didn't think we had the room for him on the roster?

[SmootSmack]

Tupa...plus should, God forbid, Ramsey, Brunell and Campbell all go down Tupa can play some QB. In fact I had thought we might do a fake punt/pass or two last year with Tupa

[offiss]

Originally Posted by EEich

I think Tupa still may have a good year in him... but he's getting old, has a cranky back and is wearing down. There's a good chance that he may not be able to stay healthy this year.

Groom has a big leg... his big negative is that he sometimes outkicks the coverage and doesn't have the touch that Tupa has. That will come with experience. He is a young guy and could be our punter for the next 5+ years.

Gibbs isn't the kind of guy that runs alot of punter fake plays... heck, he doesn't even like the shotgun formation, so I really don't see that being an issue.

I think Groom is our best bet.

Actually EE, I have to disagree there, Gibbs ran his fair share of fakes his first go round, Hayes was a fast guy for a punter and Gibbs used that on occasion, he also would quick snap to Mitchell on occasion, he was also king of the onside kick when teams weren't looking for it.

I do agree with you on Groom though I think the youth movement should win out, the way this kid has been kicking I don't see him having much trouble finding a team if we let him go.

It sound's like to me Gibbs really likes Tupa, and if Tupa is healthy he's the man, but between his back and Groom bombing the ball he's in a tough spot, Groom has some work to do as far as directional, and situational punting, but I would go with him, he will eventually come around. If we stick with Tupa and his back starts acting up again, we could be in trouble because I don't believe Groom will be available once he's cut.

[VishsSkins]

Tupa was so good last year. Not only was he able to boot the ball 50+ yds at times, he could also drop in inside the 20 better than anybody. I know he has some back problems, but unless proven wrong, he is still one of the best in the league. To have the kind of average he had last yr with all the times we punted says something.

[Kevikazi]

Tupa is also a holder for John Hall during field goals. It may not sound like an important position, but I think having a reliable holder is crucial.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Kevikazi

Tupa is also a holder for John Hall during field goals. It may not sound like an important position, but I think having a reliable holder is crucial.

That is an EXCELLENT point Kevikazi. I didn't think of it but I am glad you did.

[BossHog]

Originally Posted by VishsSkins

Tupa was so good last year. Not only was he able to boot the ball 50+ yds at times, he could also drop in inside the 20 better than anybody. I know he has some back problems, but unless proven wrong, he is still one of the best in the league. To have the kind of average he had last yr with all the times we punted says something.

What a difference a year makes, huh? An injured punter isn't going to do any team any good. And goes for guys at any position. How much money do we have invested in Tupa?

[crlesh]

Originally Posted by Kevikazi

Tupa is also a holder for John Hall during field goals. It may not sound like an important position, but I think having a reliable holder is crucial.

True, true. There must be some chemistry/trust between the holder and kicker. Maybe Groom can place too? In any event, I like the idea of the punter holding for the kicker rather than one of our QBs holding.

[BossHog]

Who was holding last night? No problems there.

[BigSKINBauer]

What are the Cap numbers like i mean i am sure we can get a trade for Toop but I like Tupa so much more. Is his injury THAT serious i think it is just because it is preseason, otherwise he would be playing. I don't claim to know much about Groom but i don't know anyone who can drop the ball inside the 10 much like toop.

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by BigSKINBauer

What are the Cap numbers like i mean i am sure we can get a trade for Toop but I like Tupa so much more. Is his injury THAT serious i think it is just because it is preseason, otherwise he would be playing. I don't claim to know much about Groom but i don't know anyone who can drop the ball inside the 10 much like toop.

Tupa's a very good punter, but I doubt any sane GM would trade for him. It's rare these days that a punter or kicker gets signed to more thana two year deal anyway, so free agency is how they move around.

I don't think his "injury" is that serious on the face - he has a stiff back. The problem is that (and I hope I don't offend any 40 year olds out there) he's 40 freakin' years old! The recovery time slows, and the odds of his back stiffening up again are good. I don't think we should hold onto Tupa, and have to pick up punters on odd weeks when Father Time is giving him a kick in the ass.

[MTK]

We could get a first rounder for Tupa, easy

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

We could get a first rounder for Tupa, easy

Are you joking? A first round pick? We could get at least two first rounders.

[SKINSnCANES]

Originally Posted by BrudLee

Normally, I'd say Tupa. His experience as a starting QB gives us a better opportunity to run fakes - and even if we don't the other team must respect that.

But...

Tupa is a 40 year old with back problems. He also costs more. You have to go with the kid here.

I wanted us to run a fake punt all year last year and we didnt try it once. Had Gibbs actually ran a few trick plays id be more in favor of keeping Tupa. He was amazing for us last year, which was a nice change of pace after the last few years of inconsistent punting. I like Grooms young leg but I worry that he will have the occasional pooch punt like we got used to, and they prove very costly.

Im going to vote for Groom right now just because tupa is hurt, otherwise id saly stick with the guy that should have been in the probowl last year.