Baxter Says Blake O'Neill Kicks With Quarterback Accuracy
Mlive article:
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/08/blake_oneill.html
Q: Is Blake O'Neill the type of special teams player who can change a game?
Baxter: "He's that. Listen, if you put a trashcan out there 40 yards, he can usually hit it, OK? He's as accurate, and in some cases more accurate than, the quarterbacks."
I'm not sure what that quote implies about our QB play, but interesting article nonetheless.
Other things I learned: Aussie Rules is apparently, to some extent, a rugby/soccer hybrid that requires very high-skill kicking, and Blake has been playing since he was 3. Also, Blake's highlight tape is pretty exciting, even though the apparent level of competition was pretty meh.
Finally, on loathing OSU and MSU:
"I feel like, by osmosis, I kind of have to. I haven't had much choice."
August 19th, 2015 at 9:21 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 9:14 AM ^
Even better, O'Neill can do more than loft punts like lob wedges with Mickelsonian accuracy. At Weber State, he proved he could boom kicks as long as 74 yards (18 of his 50 attempts went over 50 yards) and pin offenses deep in their zone (25 inside the 20-yard line).
Consistently giving the defense a long field to work with and offenses a long way to go? Yes, I believe I would take that. Among special teams players, O'Neill is actually the one player I am most curious about because of the Australian rules influence.
August 19th, 2015 at 9:58 AM ^
I would expect quite a response from the Michigan Stadium crowd when O'Neill first comes onto the field. Of all the new names, there's probably the most curiosity around him and his style of punting. If his first punt in Michigan Stadium is 74 yard thing of beauty, expect the crowd to go nuts. If it's a roll/fake for a first down ... it'll be insane.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
and just enjoy the Aussomeness of it.
August 19th, 2015 at 9:15 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
Baxter is like Fred only more analytical.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:05 AM ^
The man punted Baxter off the bridge!!!!
August 19th, 2015 at 9:18 AM ^
. . . Meets Leather
August 19th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 6:17 PM ^
A Play on Words & theme, submerged humor, if you will.
August 19th, 2015 at 9:19 AM ^
Headlines on 11W and RCMB must read "Special Teams Coach says UM QB throws are less accurate than our punter's kicks."
August 19th, 2015 at 9:20 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 9:24 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 9:29 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 9:33 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 9:42 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 9:37 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 9:38 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
No need. They're already down under.
August 19th, 2015 at 9:41 AM ^
This really doesn't surprise me, having watched a fair share of Aussie Rules in my day. It's a pretty amazing sport, with some really weird umpires.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:00 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^
I was wondering the same with the goalpost juke.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:16 AM ^
...if it becomes an intramural sport. I have my own white coat, but only a white top hat. I hope that's okay.
August 19th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^
I used to love watching Aussie rules football in ESPN360 back on the day when I didn't know the rules. Fantastic.
Now I know the rules and some of the amazement has been taken out of it
August 19th, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
Blake comes from a land down under
Where beer does flow and men chunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover
August 19th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
a Men at Work reference.
August 19th, 2015 at 9:50 AM ^
that song is going to be in my head for the next 6 hours now.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 4:53 PM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 10:05 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
Oooohhhh, the punting and the passing...
August 19th, 2015 at 9:57 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 10:01 AM ^
Happy that he's accurate, but sad that he's sometimes more accurate in kicking the ball than the QB's are in throwing it? Great for field goals, not so great for the passing game.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
is by far as important to winning and losing a football games as the offensive and defensive lines. If Michigan can flip the field and play tough defense this year, the offense will gain its footing as the year goes on. I am excited as ever for football, and I am starting to feel like we may just pound Utah and surprise everyone. Peppers for September Heisman.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^
I've never seen that word used in a positive way, especially since it's been used against Denard and even Devin after the ND game in 2013. But it would mean great things if Peppers was in the Heisman conversation going into B1G play.
August 19th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
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August 19th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^
I studied abroad in Australia.
Aussie football is actually very cool to watch. It is like a mixture of football, soccer, and rugby. You have guys booting kicks up to 50 yards while being tackled at the same time. It would be very popular if it were in the U.S. (probably just behind college and NFL).
August 19th, 2015 at 11:23 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 10:23 AM ^
August 19th, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^
It has to be "Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi" doesn't it?
August 19th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
but can he count to 11 ?
August 19th, 2015 at 10:31 AM ^
Back in the early 1900s accurate kicking was more highly prized than it is today. Harry Kipke played and punted for Michigan in the early 20s and was considered the greatest punter that ever lived.. When he became coach in 1929 the media was prodding him to show off his ability. He reportedly layed a hankerchief on the ground, backed up 40 yards and punted the football, hitting the handkerchief. "Gentlemen, you have just seen my last punt".
On the plus side, I expect to see a lot of coffin corner kicks this year.