Just Kickin’ It!
The next two weekends are going to be fun for me. This Saturday I will be headed towards Athens to hold a kicking clinic at Prince Avenue Christian School. Some dude named Tarpley had the bright idea that they might be interested. For once he was right and he and Coach Brian Wommack have worked to put it together. I really appreciate it.
All I have to do is show up and coach, the easy part.
I don’t even know how many kickers will be there, maybe 8 or 10. I just want every kicker to take something away from the experience. It may be something fundamental or a tip about getting more powerful. It’s different for every kid. Check back, because I will post pictures and maybe video if I can figure out how.
Next weekend, on July 24th, I will host a National Combine Series event at Riverwood HS in Atlanta. Click here to learn more.
Is Georgia the Real “Kicker U”?
I was going to post this last year and never did. Now, as of yesterday, I am working the Georgia Kicking Camp next Tuesday June 1st. Dax Langley is running the camp. It will be great to see him.
Ole’ Bill King of Junkyard Blawg fame or infamy depending on who’s posting, was apparently short on material one day. He posed the question that I am sure was on everyone’s mind at the time. Who is the best kicker in Georgia history?
I have no delusions on this one and actually posted a vote. UGA has had it’s share of successful kickers, whether on the college level or in the NFL. But is Georgia the true Kicker U?
I had to know!
Here is my UGA list:
Bobby Etter – Falcons – 1968, 1969
Alan Leavitt -All-America 1976 - Buccaneers – 1978?
Rex Robinson – All American 1979-1980 - Patriots – 1982
Kevin Butler – All American 1983-84 – Bears, Cardinals 1985-1997?
John Kasay – Seahawks, Panthers – 1990-Present – Holy Crap!
Todd Petersen – Giants, Seahawks, Falcons – 1991- 2005?
Billy Bennett – NCAA leader in FG’s (87)
Brandon Coutu – Seahawks – 2008
Blair Walsh – Lou Groza Finalist 2009
Who will be next? We may see him Tuesday.
Any guesses of the other Kicker U? The University of California-Berkeley
Ray Wershing – 49er’s – 1973-1987
Jim Breech- Bengals – 1978-1992
Mick Luckhurst – Falcons – 1981-1987(could have been longer)
Doug Brien – 49ers, Saints, Jets, Bucs, Colts, Bears -1994-2005
Ryan Longwell – Packers, Vikings – 1997-present
That’s a pretty strong group, but a couple of the guys I thought went to UC, Berkeley actually went to other California schools. Frank Corrale went to UCLA. So maybe UGA does out- shine Cal. It has been an amazing run for those who wanted to be a part of a great group of guys at Georgia.
Kickers? Different? Well yeah, you have to be to do what we do. It’s hard to put a finger on what came first. Crazy people being drawn to kick or kicking making them that way. Either way, you have to have a different mindset or you will be cuckoo for cocoa puffs.
As I mentioned earlier, I cast my vote on AJC.com. As much as I love the young guys, Kevin Butler is still the man. But who was the man that made the man, wanna be the man. Hmmm? Yeah, that’s right. lol. If you look, Kevin is still ranked #3 in career field goals and #4 in kick scoring in SEC history, nearly 25 years later!
All-American Kickoff
I am very proud to announce that I will be partnering with Michael Husted of National Combine Series and Football University in coordinating the All American Kickoff combines in Atlanta, Birmingham and Nashville for 2010. NCS is providing input to Football University(FBU) in choosing the kickers for the Army All-American Bowl Game. I will continue to work with kickers on a small group and one on one basis in Marietta. In addition I may be doing a weekend camp at Irmo HS in Columbia, SC this summer.
The Atlanta camp will be at Mountain View HS in Lawrenceville, Georgia on April 30 – May 2.
The Birmingham area camp will be at Spain Park HS in Hoover on June 4-6.
The Nashville camp will be held at Father Ryan HS on June 25-27.
Go to the FBU website and nominate yourself or someone you know!
Of course, you can always call me at 404-455-0393 if you have questions.
Rex
Trion HS, A Kickers Reunion
Last summer, I received an email from a Dad I know. I had worked with his son before and he was very happy. I work with a lot of young guys each summer, mostly young kickers who have grown up playing soccer. That is a plus but not a guarantee of success. Kicking soccer balls and a football are very different. Every once in a while I will hear from someone that has never kicked anything, and that was pretty much the case with the Carons.
Rex,
I want to let you know how much I appreciate your having taught my son Corey two years ago. As a novice, with his hard work and your instruction, he was very successful in his only year as a place-kicker.
I, the coaches, and the other Trion fans were impressed enough that I would like to send my younger son, Craig, for lessons this summer. He, too, is a novice and I fully anticipate similar results. Thanks again for your help.
Sincerely,
Douglas E. Caron, M.D.
Things have gone well with Craig as well, and it illustrates a point I try to make with coaches. Don’t accept the idea that if you don’t have a great kicker, your stuck. I always say you can take a good athlete and make them a solid high school kicker. Many great south Georgia football programs breeze through the regular season only to suffer in the playoffs with a sub-par kicking game. For that matter, any school in an area without much of a soccer influence can suffer.
All these two have done is everything their coaches have asked of them. Consistent extra points and short field goals can be a valuable thing to a high school coach. Corey kicked a last minute 43 yard field goal against Jefferson his senior year. Trion was down 20-17 and the kick sent the game to overtime. Clutch. Craig’s longest attempt last year was a 37 yarder, and yes he made it.
Corey and Craig Caron
We worked out today to make sure we are ready for the season. Craig will be ready. Call me if you have a young kicker that needs help.
Players present vs. Players past
Bruce Figgins and Justin Houston have been suspended from games at the start of the 2009 season. Many were hoping the Dawgs might go an entire off season without this type of news. The winter and spring of 2008 was more than many could tolerate. Many fans were overly critical of these young guys, while others were apologists. I myself am more of a centrist on this subject and there is a reason.
Having been at the University of Georgia from 1977-1980, I witnessed a few things. I heard about many other “things”. I would never disclose details because that would betray a trust that team-mates share. But I will say that many, many 18-23 year old boys/men have acted with poor judgement as far back as when Cain and Abel went sideways.
I don’t know any details about what happened with Figgins, Houston and (Tony) Wilson, who will be medically ineligible and not suspended. I would never knowingly brush it off as boys will be boys, because there comes a time in every man’s life(hopefully) when intellect overcomes impulse and maturity overides machismo.
I do hope it is an isolated incident this spring and not just an ice breaker.
Tell me what you really think!