Punter debate
 

I know this is weighing heavily on everyone's mind, who should the Skins keep as the punter?

Actually in all seriousness Groom has looked great and is booming the hell out of the ball this preseason.

At only 23 years old, I think the staff has a difficult decision, do you keep the young and obviously talented Groom, or do you keep the reliable Tupa who's having some back problems right now?

Re: Punter debate
 

I also think Groom has punted quite well for us and this position battle has weighed heavier on my mind than the Quarterback position!..LOL!!!! just kidding!

Seriously, I wouldn't mind seeing Groom punt for us! We are going to have games where field position is a big factor and that is where special teams become extremely important.

Re: Punter debate
 

Normally, I'd say Tupa. His experience as a starting QB gives us a better opportunity to run fakes - and even if we don't the other team must respect that.

But...

Tupa is a 40 year old with back problems. He also costs more. You have to go with the kid here.

Re: Punter debate
 

I'm not sure what the real extent of the back problem is for Tupa. Clearly Tupa is top shelf and I expect him to be the guy. Groom will play in the NFL somewhere after his performance this preseason. I see him making the first cut while we find out more on Tupa.

Re: Punter debate
 

I think Tupa still may have a good year in him... but he's getting old, has a cranky back and is wearing down. There's a good chance that he may not be able to stay healthy this year.

Groom has a big leg... his big negative is that he sometimes outkicks the coverage and doesn't have the touch that Tupa has. That will come with experience. He is a young guy and could be our punter for the next 5+ years.

Gibbs isn't the kind of guy that runs alot of punter fake plays... heck, he doesn't even like the shotgun formation, so I really don't see that being an issue.

I think Groom is our best bet.

Re: Punter debate
 

groom is good enough and much younger/somewhat cheaper... tupa has 2 years or so left, groom could have 10+ so I really wouldn't mind.

Re: Punter debate
 

I am having a very hard time deciding whether the Redskins should keep Tupa, Groom, or both. Good free agent punters don't come around often and so snagging a good, young punter is a rarity. In that sense, I really like Groom. On the other hand, Tupa is a great vet with good experience.

All in all, I think I'll be happy no matter what we do as I trust our coaching staff to make the right choices.

Re: Punter debate
 

If I was the coach I think I would be leaning towards Groom because he's so much younger... but we all know how Gibbs loves the vets and as long as Tupa's back isn't a serious concern I'd expect Tupa will keep the job.

Groom is going to have a job somewhere though, he's really been impressive.

Re: Punter debate
 

I'd probaboly keep Tupa and waste a practice squad spot on Groom. Yeah I know you shouldnt waste a spot like that for a punter, but the guys got talent and we could use him soon. Tupa was really reliable last year, so we'll see how they decide.

Re: Punter debate
 

Tupa is to streaky, even for us, he would have a great two or three games and suck the next, so I'd take groom (not to say he is going to be streaky) but you cant say out kicking the coverage is a bad thing. some of these guys are paid to get there quicker. groom has had good hang time, so its not outkicking the coverage, its ST'mers not getting there quick enough and or not making the initial tackle IMO. Ive watched groom punt for OSU and he has never had a prob BOOTING the ball.

Re: Punter debate
 

[QUOTE=jrocx69]Tupa is to streaky, even for us, he would have a great two or three games and suck the next, so I'd take groom (not to say he is going to be streaky) but you cant say out kicking the coverage is a bad thing. some of these guys are paid to get there quicker. groom has had good hang time, so its not outkicking the coverage, its ST'mers not getting there quick enough and or not making the initial tackle IMO. Ive watched groom punt for OSU and he has never had a prob BOOTING the ball.[/QUOTE]

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Tupa. From where I'm standing, Tupa is very consistent. While I like Groom a lot, a good case can be made for keeping Tupa.

Tupa

Re: Punter debate
 

Tupa when healthy is a very reliable which we haven't really seen in DC in a while, but since he is hurting and Groom has been doing a great job (and as someone posted he's cheaper and a heck of a lot younger) I'd lean more towards Groom. And I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be suprised if more than half of his punts have been downed within the 20 and that in the preseason he has one of the smallest gaps between avg punt and net avg of any punters who've seen action.

Re: Punter debate
 

Tupa did better last year than Groom has done thus far, I don't know if Groom knows how to drop a ball in the 5 but i do know that tupa does

Net Average for Groom this preseason: 34.7
Net Average for Tupa Last Season: 35.2
Gross Average for Groom this preseason:42.3
Gross Average for Toooop Last Season: 44.1

Re: Punter debate
 

[QUOTE=Gmanc711]I'd probaboly keep Tupa and waste a practice squad spot on Groom. Yeah I know you shouldnt waste a spot like that for a punter, but the guys got talent and we could use him soon. Tupa was really reliable last year, so we'll see how they decide.[/QUOTE]
Someone would sign him off the squad, so unfortunately there's really no point.