Buehler's touchback ratio - 80% ???

by TCBinNYC on May 18, 2009 2:59 PM CDT

According to this article over at the mother ship, new Cowboys kickoff specialist David Buehler believes he can have a touchback ratio of 80%, at Cowboys Stadium at least. Does 80% seem like a lofty goal to anyone else? According to this well written article by BishopWest, Rhys Lloyd from Carolina was the best at putting the ball in the end zone on kick-offs last season. Lloyd had 30 touchbacks on 88 attempt for an average of 34% touchbacks. So, for Buehler to reach his goal of 80%, he will have to more than double the production of the best kickoff kicker in the league. Seems like a tough taks.

Bishop also points out that last year Buehler put 48 of 88 kickoffs (55%) out of reach to returners in the college game. Obviously this is using the college ball and kicking tee, which seem to favor the college kicker. So, again, he would have to improve upon last years stats by almost 50% to hit that 80% ratio.

I'll admit, I'm starting to get on board with the selection of the kickoff specialist. And if he can consistently start teams off at their 20 yard line, I think we will all quickly become fans. He's setting expectations pretty high, hopefully he's got the leg to back it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT2BKnjj_rw

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I think 80% is not very realistic

But he is limiting himself to Cowboys Stadium, where wind and weather won’t be a factor. It will be interesting to see just how good this guy can be.

"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber

by DC_fan on May 18, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions

hey, you gotta set your goals high

He probably won’t reach it, but if he hits at least 40-50%, I’ll take that in a heartbeat considering that traditional wedges are outlawed.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 18, 2009 4:07 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah

If he hit 50 % that would be worth a roster spot.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on May 18, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I love the pick...

I think the reason why we have been top 10 in yards allowed yet below 20 in ppg allowed is all because of ST

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on May 18, 2009 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

and turnovers

by Baked Potato Soup on May 18, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

even if he shanks a kickoff to the 8...

you aren’t going to get past him…
This guy looks to make contact.
He can run the ball too.
I’d even put him at placeholder and scheme all kinds of trick stuff.
I’m beginning to think this is a great pick.

by rotovibe on May 18, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions

I like the idea of him being the holder

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on May 19, 2009 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions

The only problem I foresee if he is the holder

Is if Folk gets hurt or is not ready to go and then Buehler’s got to be the FG kicker and all of a sudden we don’t have a holder that feels comfortable.

"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber

by DC_fan on May 19, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm sure...

Kitna has probably held before.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on May 19, 2009 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Let Romo do it

:-)

by regaberto on May 19, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Has

he even hold before??? ……

Booyah!

by Dub_TC on May 19, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Um, yeah.

It didn’t work out so well in the end.

by Baked Potato Soup on May 20, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

If would be a dramatic improvement if he gets 25% touchbacks.

Then if the other team trys to return a few deep kicks and get caught inside the 20 it will be even better. What I am really hoping for is a few turnovers from the kickoff team. After just scoring to run down the field and knock the ball loose. Any game they pull that off the Boz will be really had to beat. Yea baby!

by cowboy1966 on May 18, 2009 11:15 PM CDT reply actions