AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 04
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Punting game is truly special
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Maybe it’s the performance of the secondary with three new starters. Maybe it’s the steadyness of Reggie Ball, who has upped his pass efficiency rating 30 points this season over his junior year number. Maybe it’s an offense that finally manages to get the ball to Calvin Johnson on a consistent basis, or isn’t afraid to throw it over the middle, or doesn’t stop scoring once the point total reaches the 20s.
Those have all been pleasant surprises for Georgia Tech this season, and here’s another one: Durant Brooks. The Yellow Jackets have the best punting game in the ACC. Not only do they lead the league in net average at 39.4 yards per kick, but 17 of Brooks’ 31 punts have pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line. That has tremendous implications for field position. Not many offenses are going to drive the ball 80 yards or more against the Yellow Jackets, and a lot of them are going to go three-and-out inside their 20, with Georgia Tech’s offense starting on the opponent’s side of the field. The punting game has become a major asset for the Jackets.
