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08-11-2004, 10:07 PM
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Head Coach
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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BJ Sander
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...9375866.htm?1c
Neither Couch nor Nall holds, so the only other possible holder other than Pederson would be B.J. Sander or another punter. Sander held at Ohio State last season and in practice for two or three years before that but freely acknowledged that he isn't as good as Pederson.
"Doug's a fantastic holder," Sander said. "They've had all this experience together and just how smooth he is with the ball.
"This off-season I plan on working with Ryan (Longwell) a little more. What happened this year is we weren't together enough in the off-season where we could build that chemistry and get to a point where he was comfortable with me."
It looks as though Pederson will have to postpone h
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08-22-2004, 07:24 AM
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Assistant Coach
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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not off to a good start
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/spor...d=8785&ntpid=2
Quote:
COMMENTARY: Sander's legwork shows not-so-special teams
2:37 am 8/22/04
Tom Oates Wisconsin State Journal
GREEN BAY - In his wildest dreams - assuming punters are capable of having wild dreams, that is - B.J. Sander couldn't have conjured up a better setting for his Green Bay Packers debut six days ago.
The backdrop was perfect at Lambeau Field when the rookie from Ohio State put his job and coach Mike Sherman's drafting credibility on the line for the first time under game conditions. Sander had warm weather, minimal rush from the Seattle Seahawks and 10 chances to punt the ball in Green Bay's exhibition opener.
Better yet, since the Packers' offense seemed intent on getting its season-long quota of three-play drives out of the way early, Sander got to kick away from the Packers' half of the field nine times. No directional punting, no pooch punting, just let 'er rip.
Let 'er rip?
The only thing getting ripped Monday night was Sander. For the most part, he couldn't get a punt out of the infield. His only possible excuse was that his leg was tired from all the work.
Sander had already made a lousy first impression when he averaged a paltry 27.3 yards on three punts in the Packers' public scrimmage at Lambeau. He was no better against Seattle as only two of his 10 punts went longer than 39 yards and his average was an unacceptable 36.5 yards per kick.
Sander's third chance to make a good first impression came Saturday night in the Packers' 19-14 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau. No word on whether it was his final chance, but Sherman, who had steadfastly stood by his decision to use a third-round draft pick on Sander, finally admitted during the week that the Packers' punting wasn't very good.
Despite his investment in Sander, which also includes a $583,000 signing bonus, Sherman can't afford to have an ineffective rookie punter undermine an otherwise contending team. Especially one who already has joined Ray Stachowicz and Brett Conway on the fans' short list of memorable draft-day blunders.
With the regular season drawing near, it figured that Sherman was placing extra emphasis on the Saints game. Another disappointing performance by Sander and Sherman would almost have to think about scrounging around to find a veteran punter who could get the Packers through the season.
So how did Sander's night go?
Uh, let's just say he peaked early.
OK, so his 54-yard punt in the first quarter was a touchback. This is no time to quibble. Sander rebounded from his dreadful performance against the Seahawks by booming a punt that had both distance and hang time.
Unfortunately, it didn't last. Sander's next four punts averaged 30.5 yards. Not a one was hit well.
"I hit the first one well tonight," Sander said. "When I went into the wind, I tried to lower my drop a little bit and I just got out of my groove."
Despite his troubles, Sander insisted he is moving in the right direction. Sherman admitted he is thinking about moving in another direction.
"I still believe that this punter is young and can work through this thing," he said. "I've seen him make punts that are pretty impressive, I've seen him make punts that aren't so impressive.
"But it's two weeks into the preseason games. We're going to continue to work with him. Not have our head in the sand in the process, but continue to work with him and hopefully work him through this period where he's not hitting the ball as accurately as he has in the past. Everything that is wrong with him ... is very, very correctable. It's just a matter of getting it done during the game."
Sherman's problem was compounded by the equally poor performance of Nathan Chapman, an Australian punter who has a strong leg but has never played American football. In his first action of the preseason, Chapman punted three times for a 38-yard average. His longest punt was only 39 yards.
"He just didn't punt well," Sherman said. "Same with B.J. He just didn't punt well."
Sherman insisted Sander's confidence hasn't been shaken. The same can't be said for the coach.
Asked what it would take for him to go into the regular season with either of the punters currently on his roster, Sherman said, "There would have to be some fair amount of consistency, and we haven't had that just yet."
Sander's one booming punt showed that he at least has the leg strength to kick in the NFL. However, not even the struggles of the Packers' rookie cornerbacks Saturday night could overshadow the fact that Sander isn't close to being an NFL-caliber punter right now.
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08-22-2004, 08:00 AM
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In memory of MSgt Mark J Seward
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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That must be the BJ of 2001. Eventually, he'll turn into the 2003 version.
Hopefully thats soon because you can't have that in the NFL. If he doesn't make the cut, then down the road, someone is going to get a fine punter.
On a side note, I noticed A Groom did not punt for the Niners yesterday.
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08-23-2004, 07:29 PM
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You probably don't think I'm a very nice guy...
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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08-23-2004, 08:03 PM
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Haole in da hills
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Join Date: May 2003
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Let's hope that "Sir Shanksalot, The Sultan of Shank, Der Shankmeister" has not returned...
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08-23-2004, 11:51 PM
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Illuminatus Primus
Administrator
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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I wish Sander the best; however, he is a prime example of why NFL teams rarely expend a draft choice on a punter.
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11-13-2005, 07:56 PM
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This space left intentionally blank
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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BJ Sander (GB) completes pass to Bubba Franks
I was just checking stats for fantasy football and saw BJ was 1/1 passing for 4 yards... too bad they needed 6 for the first down, but still.. he covered for the bad snap. Did anyone see it? Was it a heads up play or his fault they couldn't kick the FG or what?
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"It's fun! I mean everyday to wake up and be a Buckeye? It's fun!" - Terrelle Pryor 
Last edited by BB73; 11-13-2005 at 08:49 PM.
Reason: sp: player name
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