Position rankings: Specialists (units) - espn.com

[OatesStache]

Not to mention the most accurate kicker in NFL history.

Does that include the playoffs?

 

[thejumper5]

What's the deal w/ Jonny Mullings, he of the 83- and 100-yard punts and the viral interwebz video of his kicking prowess 2-3 years back? Based on the hype, that position should more or less have been settled for four years once he got to Iowa City.

From what I understand, he has really struggled with kicking the ball quickly enough. A punter must be able to get the ball off before his punt gets blocked, and that has apparently been a real struggle for Mullings.

 

[tweeterhawk]

From what I understand, he has really struggled with kicking the ball quickly enough. A punter must be able to get the ball off before his punt gets blocked, and that has apparently been a real struggle for Mullings.

His catch, release and kick seemed slow on this clip from two years ago, although that could be that it was in practice and he was performing for the camera. One would hope he would have improved in a couple years on campus.

Hawkeye Punter From 'Down Under' | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather | Hawkeyes

 

[hawkfan340]

4th in the conference over the past 5 years in return average, tied for 3rd (with 3 other schools) in the conference in return TDs over that same period. Last year we were in the middle of the pack in return average (Wisconsin has been REALLY good at punt returns for the past 5 years).

Hyde look uncomfortable returning last year, but I think it is reasonable to expect improvement from his 1st year returning to his second. We have seen he has open-field skills, he just needs to show improvement with his fielding. I think he was showing progress towards the end of the year, I am hoping we see a big jump in productivity in this facet of the game.

Just looking at last year and forecasting this year. We were horrible last year. Hyde is great in the open field with the ball. Problem was that never happened last year. Only 13 returns. Too many fair catches and he also let the ball hit the field and roll roughly 8 billion times.

The only stat that should matter in punting is net field position change. That hurt us over and over last year when the other team was punting.

I expect improvement too (it'd almost be impossible not to improve), but I'm still not confident.

 

[greenhawk]

It is interesting where our special teams has gone, never thought I would miss Brodell so much. From 2002-2004 Iowa had like 4 or 5 block kicks for scores?? How do we just suddenly not do things like that anymore? My guess is the lack of upperclassman on special teams lately, but we used to beat teams with it.

 

[CP87]

Just looking at last year and forecasting this year. We were horrible last year. Hyde is great in the open field with the ball. Problem was that never happened last year. Only 13 returns. Too many fair catches and he also let the ball hit the field and roll roughly 8 billion times.

The only stat that should matter in punting is net field position change. That hurt us over and over last year when the other team was punting.

I expect improvement too (it'd almost be impossible not to improve), but I'm still not confident.

Good point, just looking at the returns provides a pretty incomplete picture. cfbstats.com - College Football Statistics does not provide the net-return stats, although I am sure you could dig those up somewhere.

I did think Hyde showed improvement towards the end of the year. I will predict at least 1 PR touchdown for him during the conference schedule.