aubiefifty 16,740 Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Auburn evaluating 'real challenge' at punter this spring James Crepea | jcrepea@al.com Of all the special teams units, Auburn knows its kicking game is as good as any in the country. Punter wasn't supposed to involve any question marks this off-season either, with Ian Shannon set to take over after spending two years working behind Kevin Phillips, who completed his eligibility. Yet following the first spring scrimmage, there are some questions about the redshirt-sophomore's outlook at the position. "The real challenge this spring from the kicking game standpoint is our punter," special teams coach Tim Horton said. "Who's our punter going to be? And (we) put that pressure on Ian Shannon, is who it is right now, that 'Hey, we need you to be our punter. We need you to step up and do the things necessary to win the job.' "The thing with Ian, there's been days he's been great, there's been days he hasn't been so great. We're just looking to get more consistency out of him." A former three-star prospect, Shannon was ranked the No. 4 punter nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2015. After redshirting two years ago, Shannon had three punts for 92 yards and averaged 64.36 yards on 11 kickoff with six touchbacks last season. The plan was for the Marietta, Ga. native to be the full-time punter this fall and hopefully help Auburn improve on its 21st ranked net punting (39.9 yards) and it still is - for now - as the Tigers continue evaluating special teams. "We've really been blessed with our snapper; Ike Powell's been outstanding," Horton said. "When you get to the holding aspect, Tyler Stovall is great. And of course no one's better than Daniel Carlson; we're blessed there with that kicker. But the punting aspect is something that there's still some things to be decided there." It's unclear what Auburn's plan would be if doubts remain about Shannon after spring. Carlson punted as well as kicked in 2014, but has been a two-time Lou Groza award finalist since focusing solely on kicking. The only other kicker currently on the roster is redshirt-freshman walk-on Sage Ledbetter, who was a more accomplished kicker than punter out of Auburn High. It's too early to say the Tigers will pursue other options, but with only five spring practices remaining, there's not a lot of time left for Shannon to quell concerns either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburn4ever 1,266 Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 I hope Daniel Carlson doesn't have to worry about punting for next year. Hopefully Shannon, Phillips or walk on Sage Ledbetter can get the job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird 60,460 Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Its only April Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnacle 9,064 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 21 hours ago, bigbird said: Its only April love that show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aubiefifty 16,740 Posted April 3, 2017 Author Share Posted April 3, 2017 well lets just pump those footballs with helium and we will be good to go.lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger 8,818 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 If we can avoid ramming our RB up our RG's butt crack on 1st and 10 every damn time it will go a long way into minimizing our question mark at punter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PowerOfDixieland 3,226 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 On 4/2/2017 at 5:46 PM, auburn4ever said: I hope Daniel Carlson doesn't have to worry about punting for next year. Hopefully Shannon, Phillips or walk on Sage Ledbetter can get the job done. Pretty sure that would be a violation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milehighfan 1,240 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 5 hours ago, Tiger said: If we can avoid ramming our RB up our RG's butt crack on 1st and 10 every damn time it will go a long way into minimizing our question mark at punter Here, here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaker 2,457 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Or we just tell the team, we have 4 plays to make 10 yards.....Period. No punting required and play calling takes a new twist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird 60,460 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 33 minutes ago, Beaker said: Or we just tell the team, we have 4 plays to make 10 yards.....Period. No punting required and play calling takes a new twist. Dive, dive, statue of liberty, dive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnacle 9,064 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 3 minutes ago, bigbird said: Dive, dive, statue of liberty, dive? Brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 3 minutes ago, bigbird said: Dive, dive, statue of liberty, dive? Let's see here. That adds up to: 1st and 10 2nd and 9 3rd and 9+, where we fake a handoff on a play where everybody knows we're throwing, thus extending the development of the play and making our tackles try to hold blocks on SEC DEs that much longer 4th and 14, where everybody knows that we're going to just try to mitigate the damage with a safe play Your 2015-16 Auburn Tigers, ladies and gentlemen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird 60,460 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 16 minutes ago, Barnacle said: Brilliant! Thanks, I'm an offensive genius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnacle 9,064 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 15 minutes ago, McLoofus said: Let's see here. That adds up to: 1st and 10 2nd and 9 3rd and 9+, where we fake a handoff on a play where everybody knows we're throwing, thus extending the development of the play and making our tackles try to hold blocks on SEC DEs that much longer 4th and 14, where everybody knows that we're going to just try to mitigate the damage with a safe play Your 2015-16 Auburn Tigers, ladies and gentlemen! Bahahah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaker 2,457 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 I am going with a jet sweep hand off for 3 (groan), then an indefensible timing pass to the TE for 6-7 and Bubba Pettway up the middle for 6. Wait...that's 16 yards on 3 plays. We didn't even need the 14-16 yard pass from Stidham to Nate Craig-Meyers. That catch and run will follow Pettway dragging two players; and I suspect we will score about 2-3 plays later. I see K Johnson catching a screen pass and a scamper to the pylon on a 14 yarder. Touchdowwwwwwn Auuuburn! Now that's your 2017 Auburn Tigers. Boom! What was this thread about? No worries here about punting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronCrazy 1,058 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 If we convert more on 3rd down and put the ball in the end zone then we won't have to worry about punting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueridge 29 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 On 4/2/2017 at 9:32 AM, aubiefifty said: Auburn evaluating 'real challenge' at punter this spring James Crepea | jcrepea@al.com Of all the special teams units, Auburn knows its kicking game is as good as any in the country. Punter wasn't supposed to involve any question marks this off-season either, with Ian Shannon set to take over after spending two years working behind Kevin Phillips, who completed his eligibility. Yet following the first spring scrimmage, there are some questions about the redshirt-sophomore's outlook at the position. "The real challenge this spring from the kicking game standpoint is our punter," special teams coach Tim Horton said. "Who's our punter going to be? And (we) put that pressure on Ian Shannon, is who it is right now, that 'Hey, we need you to be our punter. We need you to step up and do the things necessary to win the job.' "The thing with Ian, there's been days he's been great, there's been days he hasn't been so great. We're just looking to get more consistency out of him." A former three-star prospect, Shannon was ranked the No. 4 punter nationally in the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2015. After redshirting two years ago, Shannon had three punts for 92 yards and averaged 64.36 yards on 11 kickoff with six touchbacks last season. The plan was for the Marietta, Ga. native to be the full-time punter this fall and hopefully help Auburn improve on its 21st ranked net punting (39.9 yards) and it still is - for now - as the Tigers continue evaluating special teams. "We've really been blessed with our snapper; Ike Powell's been outstanding," Horton said. "When you get to the holding aspect, Tyler Stovall is great. And of course no one's better than Daniel Carlson; we're blessed there with that kicker. But the punting aspect is something that there's still some things to be decided there." It's unclear what Auburn's plan would be if doubts remain about Shannon after spring. Carlson punted as well as kicked in 2014, but has been a two-time Lou Groza award finalist since focusing solely on kicking. The only other kicker currently on the roster is redshirt-freshman walk-on Sage Ledbetter, who was a more accomplished kicker than punter out of Auburn High. It's too early to say the Tigers will pursue other options, but with only five spring practices remaining, there's not a lot of time left for Shannon to quell concerns either. Shannon will be the punter this season. The coaches are just letting him have it a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUld fAUx@ 2,584 Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 5 hours ago, CameronCrazy said: If we convert more on 3rd down and put the ball in the end zone then we won't have to worry about punting! If we convert more on 3rd down, and put the ball in the end zone, from outside the 30, then we won't have to worry about kicking in any way, shape, or form. Kickers (and defense) have been very, very good to Auburn (over many years). Whether needed or not, they seem handy to attract and/or keep around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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