We’re back for Week 2 to look at special teams. There were not nearly as many snaps to look at here compared to in the Packers’ Week 1 game, but we get to look at them through the lens of a win, which is exciting.
We kicked this series off in earnest last week. In this space, we’re talking about every long snap on a field goal and extra point and looking at the placement of the snap. I made a beautiful and complex image to help us track and visualize the location of the snaps.
Because we are in a constant state of learning, I have slightly updated the template we’re using, based on a comment on last week’s article. In the comments of that article, 31-Wedge had this to say:
I held for kicks two years in HS, and my only ultra-small quibble on the chart would be that a low or ground-ball snap into the body was, for me at least, easier to handle than a low snap away, if only because you’re more prone to lose balance reaching away from your body and trying to draw the ball back into place. A stable base is everything to a holder.
31-Wedge, thanks for your input. As you can see, the area on the ground in the place where the hold is to be placed has been changed to a light red.
How did Matt Orzech do this week?
All four snaps (2 extra points, 2 field goals) are in the green zone: 2 to the body, 2 over the hold spot. I will admit that the second extra point felt a bit dicey – it was right on the line of being too low – but it was up off the ground so I ultimately put it in the green area.
For the sake of transparency – and also in an attempt to keep improving – here are all the videos, with the snap-to-hold operation slowed down to 30% speed.
Kick 1: Extra Point (Made)
This is just about perfect. Laces rotated slightly towards Whelan so he can easily catch it and spin it on the hold. With the rain and a little wind, it looks like the ball is leaned forward a bit more and the lean away from Smack isn’t quite as extreme as we see in perfect conditions.
Kick 2: Extra Point (Made)
Harder to see from this angle (I wish we still got both angles available through NFL Pro). Snap is a bit low, but off the ground and into the body. Slightly less than ideal, but still more than good enough.
Kick 3: Field Goal – 34 yards (Made)
Like the first one, this is just about perfect. Whelan seems to have a slight issue on the catch-to-hold. Ball looks like it slips a bit, but it was a rainy day and he still gets the hold down.
Kick 4: Field Goal – 26 yards (Made)
Game-winner. Snap into the body in a good spot, with the laces in a good spot for Whelan to catch and get the ball down.
Albums listened to: Lizzy McAlpine – Angel; Babehoven – I see them, I see me
