Bleacher Report: Panthers have Top 10 Punter, Top 15 Kicker

[nctarheel0619]

Graham Gano:

Overall

83/100

Field-Goal Accuracy: 36/45; Field-Goal Power: 43/50; Starter: 4/5

Graham Gano possibly has the strongest leg in the NFL. Averaging 72.6 yards per kickoff and limiting opponents to returns only 22.8 percent of the time, he single-handedly helped the Panthers win the field position game.

Having a strong leg is only half of what you need to be one of the top kickers in the NFL. Gano's accuracy seems to come and go on field goals, as he was a little streaky from long distance (9-of-12 from 40-49 yards and 1-of-3 from 50-plus).

Having eight blocked kicks in four full seasons is another concern.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2512186-br-nfl-1000-top-32-kickers/page/22

Brad Nortman:

Overall

89/100

 

Punt Power: 43/50; Punt Placement: 42/45; Starter: 4/5

 

Brad Nortman (6'2", 215 lbs, three seasons) doesn't have the ability to consistently boot the ball deep, but he can put a charge into one on occasion, having a long of 72 yards this past season. He is an exceptional directional punter who routinely tries to kick away from dangerous return men. Nortman frequently lands the ball inside the 20-yard line, making life difficult for opposing offenses, and he is near the top of the league in fair catches. He needs to work on getting the ball off his foot faster because he tied for the league lead in blocked punts allowed with two.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2512605-br-nfl-1000-top-32-punters/page/26

Bleacher Report sucks, yada, yada, yada.  Still good to read that we can count on our guys usually.  Especially Nortman.  

[MountainHeel66]

If they didn't ignore coaching and oline deficiencies as the reason for those two blocked punts I'd agree with pretty much everything this article said. And we do have two AWESOME kickers on this team.

[Cary Kollins]

Man, Olindo Mare sucked.

[luke nukem]

Both of those punts in the Minnesota game were not his fault, but still I can't believe we as a team allowed two blocked punts( I know one was returned for a TD but I honestly think both were) In a single game. The Panthers need to be in the top half of the league as a ST unit for us to go and get a three peat.

[panthers55]

Both of those punts in the Minnesota game were not his fault, but still I can't believe we as a team allowed two blocked punts( I know one was returned for a TD but I honestly think both were) In a single game. The Panthers need to be in the top half of the league as a ST unit for us to go and get a three peat.

The most embarrasing special teams gaff was allowing Chancellor leap over the line on two successive plays last year. We looked like fools not adjusting at all and letting him do it the second time.ouch.........

[Jimmy]

There were numerous times Nortman saved our ass in field position last year (and prior)...love the guy and hope he has another great year. 

[The Huddler]

Man, Olindo Mare sucked.

The sky is blue

[The Huddler]

The fact that Gano gets so many blocked means that he takes a lower trajectory on his balls so it goes farther. Perhaps he doesnt have quite the leg. Also, it aint so much about distance, but hang time on kickoffs yo. He can kick it far as poo on kickoffs, but if that poo gets there in 2 secs, the returner has distance between the first tackler, he gets yards and a lane Just food for thought

[ooglechi]

The most embarrasing special teams gaff was allowing Chancellor leap over the line on two successive plays last year. We looked like fools not adjusting at all and letting him do it the second time.ouch.........

I don't even know if you can account for it other than changing your cadence. Even then it's a risky thing to do in the middle of a playoff game. You kinda just have to appreciate the athleticism.

[ooglechi]

The fact that Gano gets so many blocked means that he takes a lower trajectory on his balls so it goes farther. Perhaps he doesnt have quite the leg. Also, it aint so much about distance, but hang time on kickoffs yo. He can kick it far as poo on kickoffs, but if that poo gets there in 2 secs, the returner has distance between the first tackler, he gets yards and a lane Just food for thought

He has the highest touchback % in the NFL. I don't think he's too concerned about hang time.

[t96]

The fact that Gano gets so many blocked means that he takes a lower trajectory on his balls so it goes farther. Perhaps he doesnt have quite the leg. Also, it aint so much about distance, but hang time on kickoffs yo. He can kick it far as poo on kickoffs, but if that poo gets there in 2 secs, the returner has distance between the first tackler, he gets yards and a lane Just food for thought

Can't return from the stands behind the end zone. 

[pantherfan49]

Gano has those blocks because we are attempting longer field goals than anyone in the league and the trajectory is lower on those kicks. It is because Gano is that good that we have a few blocks. 

[Donald LaFell]

Big fan of Nortman. The saints game with that wet field was his coming out party. 

[PhillyB]

The most embarrasing special teams gaff was allowing Chancellor leap over the line on two successive plays last year. We looked like fools not adjusting at all and letting him do it the second time.ouch.........

i think that's the angriest i'd been all season. my god, the level of ineptitude. i was screaming at the tv the entire time to move a blocker over to account for him doing it again and fuging nobody budged. it was the most predictable thing i've ever seen. unreal.