Had an article for you on the kicking situation this morning and how the Pac-10's long range plans of expansion could be good for Utah.
I'm a bit surprised the Utes are making a change and not giving Ben Vroman the benefit of the doubt a little more. He has been solid in practice and scrimmages and nailed that first field goal against Utah State, I thought his misses against San Jose State really built on one another mentally for him. His first two misses were from 50 and 53 yards, those aren't easy kicks for anyone to make.
I thought the Utes might give him a little more vote of confidence this week and I wonder if replacing him, if indeed that is what the Utes do, will hurt his confidence even more.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said he wasn't too worried about that. "You have to produce when the opportunities arise," he said. "You have to put the guy out there with the best chance to make that kick."
Sounds like that guy could be Joe Phillips, the walk-on who graduated from Lone Peak High before going to Snow College. He has good credentials too, earning honorable mention All-America honors. His longest collegiate field goal was of 43 yards, but he did say he kicked a 50-yarder in high school in the state playoffs against Olympus.
"That is about the extent of my range," he said.
Phillips came to Utah after calling the coaches and asking if he could walk on, he never imagined he could be the kicker, knowing there were guys ahead of him.
"I've always loved the U, it has been a dream of mine to come here," he said. "It has been pretty crazy but a pleasant surprise. It's a dream come true."
Working with Louie Sakoda has been an added bonus for him.
"I've never really had a kicking coach my whole life," he said. "I've just gone out and kicked and done my thing. He has shown me multiple things I've been doing wrong. I've been able to perfect my accuracy and form."
Phillips said he has played in front of some rowdy crowds, particularly in Arizona, at the JC level which will help him at Oregon, if he has to kick a field goal.
"I love hearing what everyone says an zoning it out and going out there and kicking," he said.
5 Comments:
I agree. Nothing against Phillips but you can't just throw a new kicker out there and expect him to kick two 50 yarders in competition after sitting on the bench for however many years.
It's like a golfer who for years has hit balls on the range and then all of the sudden he is trust in to competition on the Nationwide Tour. The mind takes over and needs some time to adjust.
This is a very dangerous move. Its been a long time since we had problems with kicking that will cost us. I wouldn't be surprised if we lose two or three games this year do to Phillips and Vroman.
I'm not sure we have a great alternative, of course we have gotten used to having one of the best kickers in the country so we are spoiled. The fact is that Vroman missed all three of his attempts very badly. Certainly 50 and 53 yarders aren't easy for anyone, but he wasn't close on either. He was over-kicking and came up way short and way left. The 36 yarder, which should have been the opportunity for him to get his confidence back, also was not close missing extremely wide left. I think our best option is to give someone else a try. Keep Vroman kicking off - even though he only kicked one of those to the 20. I wonder if something is wrong with him because his kickoffs are usually into the end zone.
In Coach Whit I trust, he knows alot better what to do in every situation. Ute99 Quit pretending that you are a Ute fan go waste your time somewhere else! GO UTES! See you in Eugene! Utes 34 Oregon 13
Jonas, you are an idiot. Do you know anything about football? No? So shut up and try to learn something. I hope you enjoy going to the game in Provo with your boyfriend. You are a closet cooger fan.
Post a Comment
<< Home