Ryan too White Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 The Falcon's offense has punted a total of 39 times this year, all by the foot of Michael Koenen. 19 of these punts have been downed inside the 20. This gives our defense better field position, and creates more opportunities to attack the offense - this was a big part of the victory over the Saints. While Koenen may not be leading the league in average punt distance, he is the league leader in punts downed inside the 20 per attempts.Granted, a punt is not the ideal outcome for an offensive drive. But this team is extremely consistent in this area of the game, keeping us in games that in years past might have gone out of hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 The Falcon's offense has punted a total of 39 times this year, all by the foot of Michael Koenen. 19 of these punts have been downed inside the 20. This gives our defense better field position, and creates more opportunities to attack the offense - this was a big part of the victory over the Saints. While Koenen may not be leading the league in average punt distance, he is the league leader in punts downed inside the 20 per attempts.Granted, a punt is not the ideal outcome for an offensive drive. But this team is extremely consistent in this area of the game, keeping us in games that in years past might have gone out of hand.I have been saying this for Koenen's whole career. He doesn't get talked about with the other top punters because he doesn't have an insanely great average but when it comes to downing the punt inside the 20 he is one of the best. It pisses me off Madden only rates him in the 70s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1000# Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I've always appreciated Koenan's abilities. It's just not something to brag about because nobody likes to punt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconsfan567 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I've always appreciated Koenan's abilities. It's just not something to brag about because nobody likes to punt.I heard an old wise coach say one time that sometimes the best thing you can do is punt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1000# Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I heard an old wise coach say one time that sometimes the best thing you can do is punt. I heard a wise coach once say, " STUFF 'EM!!!!!!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dem Birds Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I started a fan club for MK at one point. Even CONSIDERED getting his jersey. I do have his autograph though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi-Falcon Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I love Michael Koenen (not literally). He is a great punter, kick-off kicker. I wouldnt trade him for anybody for the job he does. He is under-appreciated, but every Falcon fan loves him to death.Someone should take him out to dinner to Sizzler one night. If I still lived in Atlanta I would/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzummo Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I have been saying this for Koenen's whole career. He doesn't get talked about with the other top punters because he doesn't have an insanely great average but when it comes to downing the punt inside the 20 he is one of the best. It pisses me off Madden only rates him in the 70s. What punters get talked about? Serious question. Punters are not heralded players. If your punter is talked about, your team must have nothing else going for it. The 3 punters leading the league are on teams with a combined 5-25 record (Oak, STL, and KC). Seriously, you don't want your punter talked about. Keonen has been awesome, we all know it, and that's enough. Punters with high averages have one thing in common, they are punting from their side of the field more often, which allows them to boom it as far as possible on every punt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*NiteFalcon* Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 how bout we mention the most impressive fact concerning our punting game. We are holding opponents to 1.4 yards per punt return against us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzard_falcon Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Koenen is definitely a Top 5 punter and kick-off specialist, and he has been for a couple of seasons now. He does not have the best Average or Net Average, but as stated above we are holding teams to 1.4 yards a return.To put that in perspective, Koenen has punted 39 times ... 10 times the ball has been returned, for only 14 yards, which far and away is best in the NFL this season.He has 19 punts inside the 20 which ranks #6 in the league. That's 49% of his punts that land inside the 20, which is #1 in the league.He also has had 17 punts that were fair caught by the other team, which is #2 in the league. That's 43% of his punts which are fair caught by our opponents - another statistic in which he is #1 in the NFL.Net Average is usually the statistic by which punters are judged, but I think Koenen's statistics show that he has a HUGE impact in our field position week in and week out, pinning our opponents inside the 20 and giving them NO chance to return the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalist Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I'll take him to Rathbun's Steak if he wants, with cigars... LMK Punter Boy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EsCoBaRxJr Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 ''why are we talking about an idiot kicker?'' Peyton Manning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzummo Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 The one thing I'm curious to know is the hangtime for the different punters. I'm not sure why it's not well-documented considering it's one of the most significant one's for kickers. That ultimately dictates the coverage. With us not allowing any yards on punt returns, I'd have to assume Keonen is tops in the league for this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miKevicK777 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 i love punters and kickersi dont see why teams dont overpay for them when they have so much cap space leftlook at raiders, they usually stay in alot of games thanks to their punters and kickers when their offense is just horrendous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaG FactorY EnT Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Koenen punts the ball well, Im glad hes onour team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iDash Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Mr. Fair Catch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlacksburgHokie Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 He's the best in the league at pinning opponents inside the 20, with almost 50% of his punts landing in that area. He's also best in the league at kicking to help his coverage, as we only allow 1.4 yards per return.He doesn't have a stellar net or average, but he does exactly what we need for him to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalcD56 Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I've always loved Koenen. He did both duties at Western Washington and was godawful at FGs, so I knew what to expect when he tried it here. His punting and kickoffs have always been phenomenal. Anyone else remember in 05 when he kicked the 58 yarder as the first half ended against the Pats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzard_falcon Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Hey, everyone!I wrote Pat Yasinkas over on ESPN.com an e-mail that included a lot of the information we've posted above before the game today.He sent me this reply around 11:30 AM:Hey, thanks very much for the note. Yes, you bring up a good point.Koenen is an excellent punter and those guys often get overlooked. Iwill try to give him some props in an item sometime this coming week.Keep an eye on the blog for it.Thanks for writing,Pat YasinskasESPN.comSo... keep an eye out on his blog for some Koenen love! :wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiney_McShine Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 The best kick he had all day was after the HD punt return. There was a 15 yard penalty enforced o n the kick off, focing the Falcons to kick from the 15 yard line. Koenen drilled the ball all the way to the 10. Advantage Falcons on the ick coverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathFromAbove Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 He's awesome, I'm not aware of a better punter in the NFL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyhole Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I love Michael Koenen (not literally). He is a great punter, kick-off kicker. I wouldnt trade him for anybody for the job he does. He is under-appreciated, but every Falcon fan loves him to death.Someone should take him out to dinner to Sizzler one night. If I still lived in Atlanta I would/Phew. Thanks for clarifying. I had long suspected you of having a loving relationship with our punter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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