I realize that there aren’t too many people losing sleep over special teams this time of year, but is there any particular logic to replacing a kid that’s tied for all time highest make % at MSU during his senior year?
Maybe it’s just me, but ST and specifically kicking has always been one of those things that you just don’t fix when it’s not broken. Christmann is 80% over the last 3 years which put him well ahead of basically every kicker we’ve ever had with the exception of Brent Smith
Sorry, late to the game guys.
This is news to me that Christmann is #2. I even double checked the depth chart.
My first reaction is, if this is true, it's moronic. Go with the guy that is proven. Coaches (and fans) want to dwell over distance more than anything else. It makes sense to a certain degree but after you bypass the standard distance required (I'd say 40/45 yards for field goals and punts), you've got to place more emphasis on other things when you're picking your starter. Mental. Consistency. Resiliency.
I'll say it for the coaches and experts in the back - IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT SOME KID KICKED A 65 YARD FIELD GOAL IN HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE PRACTICE, OR OUT WITH HIS BUDS ONE DAY AND PUT IT ON YOUTUBE.
What does matter is when the lights come on, fans are screaming, ESPN camera in your face, and there's players on the other side of that ball that don't particularly care for your well being, can you perform? You simply do not know until then. There's no way to emulate all of that. So it can kind of be a crap shoot when you have a new guy take the reigns when a senior graduates.
Also, I'm not saying Ruiz isn't a good kicker. He may turn out to be an All American. I hope he does.
Rant Over.
Now a few things that could be at play here. (I have no idea but these are some real things that happen).
1. Leach may have had some hand in recruiting Ruiz. No idea the back story of any of that. (2 kids under 3, job change, and building a house have been kicking my butt)
That's what happened to me with Mullen. He just simply didn't recruit me so by default on I was on the list.
2. There may be a little friction with Christmann and whoever is the coach over the kickers. There is a lot of things at play on this one so I'll try to keep it brief.
a. Sometimes whoever is over the kickers/punters/snappers is a grad assistant that is trying to work their way up to being a position coach.
b. Sometimes it's the special teams coach who has a lot of experience in X's and O's but has no idea how to coach kickers and punters.
c. Sometimes it's a guy that has either kicked/punted/snapped at the collegiate level, or knows exactly how to coach kickers and punters.
With A, B, and C, there is potential that there's an ego in play here on the coach's side. New coach comes in and has something to prove. If Christmann is anything like me, he knows what works for him and what doesn't work in terms of practice, drills, etc. You kind of earn that after you go through the program for 3 years. New coach HATES that. He wants full control. Forces Christmann to do it his way or else. If the coach is anything other than C, this can mess with your ENTIRE rhythm/cadence/mindset/health. Which isn't good. Meaning the coach may force everyone to do this drill he saw on YouTube and the guys have to do it for an hour straight. All of the sudden someone tweaks their back or a hammy. Now you're screwed because this coach has no idea what he's doing. Kickers/Punters/Snappers are like pitchers. You simply cannot throw fastballs all day during practice if you want to be successful.
The above is one of many examples that could be at play for #2. Happy to give more examples if need be.
3. Christmann has mailed it in and doesn't care anymore (I HIGHLY doubt this is it).
4. Coach(es) may be intentionally doing this to get everything they can out of Christmann. Which is what you may do during fall camp. Not during game week.
Just my 0.02.
