2009 NFL Draft Grades: Pat McAfee is not Mike Vanderjagt
by BigBlueShoe on Apr 29, 2009 10:15 AM EDT
in NFL Draft
25 comments
Folks, it looks like we are going to yet another loug-mouthed, frosty-haired kicker from West Virginia working on our special teams.
Here's what the first one looked like:
Photo: ms2.naplesnews.com
And here's the one Indianapolis just drafted a few days ago:
Photo: www.wvmetronews.com
Both guys are loud. Both are boisterous. Both like to draw attention to themselves. But, if you listen to new Colts 6th round selection Pat McAfee, he very much wants you to know that he is not an "idiot" like Mike Vanderjagt:
Ah, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this. Mike Vanderjagt. What you need to know is he is not a good representation of kickers from West Virginia. I need you to understand that. I need you to understand that. Please.
Folks, all you have to do is listen to Pat McAfee talk for 5 minutes, and instantly you are going to like him. Pat McAfee is colorful, affable, funny, and very much aware of what he is all about.
The Colts and Bill Polian have made it clear: Pat McAfee is the new punter for the Indianapolis Colts. Though he kicked FGs, handled kickoffs, and punted at West Virginia, the Colts drafted McAfee to succeed Hunter Smith, who departed via free agency and signed with the Washington Redskins.
Most of McAfee's scouting reports focus more on his FG kicking than his punting. In college, they use a little bit different style of punting formation, more akin to rugby. So, it isn't really all that clear how well McAfee will punt in the pros. What we do know is the Colts traded a 2010 6th round pick to move up in the sixth round and get McAfee. So, if Bill Polian did that, the Colts must feel as though this kid can get the job done.
Aside from punting and kicking, the other thing McAfee can do is run and tackle. Yes, that's right. At 5'11, 228 pounds, McAfee isn't some skinny bitch out there whiffing on tackles if a returner gets past the first line of defense. McAfee is the kind of punter that will chase the returner down, wrap him up, and bury him into the turf.
Don't believe me? Watch this:
That is our new punter, boys and girls.
Another interesting factoid about McAfee that seems to distinguish him from his predecessor is while Hunter Smith had a Christian rock band on the side, McAfee has dabbled in professional wrestling on the side. Hunter Smith's band name was Connersvine. Pat McAfee's wrestling opponent was named War Pig!
Again, he has been with the team all of three days, and already I REALLY like Pat McAfee. You'll like him as well when you listen to him on 1070 the Fan call Mike Vanderjagt an "idiot" and say that he is very excited to play with his personal hero, Adam Vinatieri.
So, while we can't say for sure just what kind of punter McAfee will be, what we do know is he will certainly be a colorful character. And while he may say or do some silly things, this kid seems very much aware of the wonderful opportunity he is stepping into. He is working with his idol (Vinatieri) and has a good coach in Ray Rychleski (who comes from the college ranks) to teach him how to punt in the pros.
McAfee is no stranger to kicking and punting in pressure situations. Football is life at West Virginia, and when McAfee would miss FGs, he would get death threats. No kidding. So, this kid knows how to deal with pressure, and he knows how to work hard. He's going to fit in well here.
DRAFT GRADE: Solid marks
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Was really hoping...
…to never see that face again.
New to The Blue, and impressed with the amount of homework that goes into well-written posts. Thank you.
Starting to feel GREAT about this draft class. The thought of having an actual D Tackle rotation with real D Tackles is incredibly exciting. Get ready for an instant noticeable overall improvement in our LB and DB play. No more 12 minute drives. And with Collie, Garcon, and Tamme primed to contribute to our pass attack, along with our next Pro-Bowler – Down Town Donald Brown – I think we’re back to averaging 30 a game.
Giddiup.
by I'm Not Alone, I'm Just Blue on Apr 29, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the blog!
Looking forward to reading more of your comments.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.
by BigBlueShoe on Apr 29, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Connorsville?
The homework in the post missed it on this one. Unfortunalty Hunter’s band is not named after the quaint Indiana town of Connersville. The band name is Connersvine and they are a lot better than one would expect them to be.
by slider09 on Apr 29, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
2010 Comp Picks
It’s hard to speculate on 2010 Compensatory Picks, but with the exodus we had in FAs this year, I’d imagine we’ve got a handful of free picks and some good ones too coming in next year’s draft. That makes the 6th round 2010 pick we gave up essentially not a big deal.
Vinatieri’s days have to be reaching a twilight at some point as well. This was a smart move to land a hybrid P/K this year and “one of the highest rated kickers in the draft”.
by XLI on Apr 29, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hell...
If we had not drafted those DTs we could have used McAfee in the DT rotation. Slobber Knocker!!!
Great post.
by TRDean on Apr 29, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like this kid!
Anyone ripping on Vandershank is ok in my book. Plus, this guy is a total stud and he has alot of speed to boot…I think there are several positions he could play.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 29, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love punters & kickers who can tackle
I mean really wrap-up and tackle.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Apr 29, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I do like this guy so far, but...
it seems a bit interesting that we’re all so happy now to have a guy who is willing to speak his mind and be out there. I just wonder what will happen if we come on bad times and he speaks his mind then. I’m not Vanderjagt apologist, but that’s basically what happened to him. We might not be so happy to hear this kid speak his mind after a bad playoff exit.
Of course, none of that matters when you’re about to embark on a legendary 5 straight super bowl run. right?
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
by psvirsky on Apr 29, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Outspoken does not bother me...
All I said was I really liked the tackling ability.
by TRDean on Apr 29, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i completely agree with that
I’m just speaking in reference to those who like his outspokenness. I do like the guy, just thought it was interesting
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
by psvirsky on Apr 29, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He can already tackle better than our LB core
/*gets gut pain at the truth in statement
/*remembers last game against Jags and has even more stomach pain
I love the smell of napalm in the morning...smells like victory
- Lt. Kilgore, Apocalypse Now
by MikeyD on Apr 29, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
/*remembers Sproles running into the endzone in OT
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 29, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ouch
Then that makes me think of 3rd and 2.
by TouchdownMonkey on Apr 29, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep.
no good can come from this line of thought =-(
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Apr 30, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
punters who can takle
anyone remember when hunter the punter took out deion sanders? he leveled him, and deion sat out at least a quarter. loved that. hunter was one of the more athletic punters in the league, and he wasn’t afraid to take someone out. glad to see his replacement does the same.
by nealE on Apr 29, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hunter
I do remember that play. I also remember that fake punt play he did against the Jets for a TD.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.
by BigBlueShoe on Apr 29, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MNF Vikings
I remember Hunter drilling a return guy for the Vikings out of bounds during a MNF game about 4 years ago. It happened right in front of me. He was flagged for 15 yards and got popped for 5 grand the next day. I was impressed.
by slider09 on Apr 29, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McAfee should play rugby
He’d be an awesome flyhalf.
"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg
by Colts Homer on Apr 29, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Doubt it
There’s a big difference in the type of kicking required in rugby compared to in the NFL. Plus tackling in shoulder pads and helmets is alot different to tackling body on body.
Alcohol, the cause of - and solution too - all of life's problems!
by AussieColtsFan on Apr 30, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This kid is great!
I love his charisma and the way he speaks. Lets just hope his game on the field translates. (and I think it will)
by metal_militia on Apr 29, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
McAfee
I’ve watched McAfee @ WVU for the last few years…I’m glad he’s a Colt.
by catfish19 on May 2, 2009 7:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WFTV Ch. 9 Story - 38-year-old rookie punter/quarterback looks for his place in pro football
For those of you who don’t know Mr. FakePunts: www.fakepunts.com
As I told the editor from Winnipeg; Although I punted a 5.63 second hang time punt at the Stampeders 2009 tryout and a 5.9 sec. 52 yarder, wind aided, timed by two witnesses two days prior (hang times only produced by a small number of current NFL punters such as Shane Lechler, Andy Lee, Mike Scifres, Matt Turk, … and yet its likely none of them have hit a 6.0 this year, … with passing skills that are still above and beyond all other punters), I’m getting attention, but not the serious attention I’m looking for… Since the Blue Bombers refused to allow me to tryout in Deland this year…It looks like I’ll have to come back next year for both the NFL and CFL open camps, with a record breaking, mind blowing, semi-consistent 6.0-6.2 sec. hang time punts and we’ll see what happens…
4/6/09 WFTV Channel 9 Orlando – Sports at 9 – Chris Edwards: “Working On A Dream -38-year-old punter/quarterback looks for his place in pro football.”
by fakepunts.com on May 9, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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