AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 16
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Looking ahead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Don’t know if you read today’s story reviewing the first half and previewing the second half, but there was one thing I didn’t include that I wanted to mention.
It’s been overlooked a little that kicker Scott Blair is on something of a roll. After starting out the season 1-for-5, he’s made five out of his last five. I don’t think we’re ready to call him the next Jan Stenerud, but it’s a good bit of progress considering all the hand-wringing after the way he (and snapper Bret White and holder Chandler Anderson) started.
The biggest reason it hasn’t gotten much notice, of course, is that he hasn’t had to make one with the game on the line. His only field goal against Virginia Tech was early, then came the Mississippi State and Duke blowouts, and then his field goal against Gardner-Webb (which proved to be the difference) was in the second quarter with the score 7-0.
I imagine Tech coaches would feel a little more comfortable if Blair had connected on something in the 40’s - his longest make this year is 32. Regardless, you have to think that, at some point, the Jackets are going to need him to come through with some points, and the team is more confident in him - and he in himself - than a month ago.
Said Blair last Saturday, “The chemistry has gotten a whole lot better, the timing is really good and I feel really confident.”
In your estimation, what player or unit has come the farthest thus far this season?
(this is totally unrelated, but i looked a little at that link about Jan Stenerud. I think I knew the story but it’s amazing to read again. He’s Norwegian and went to Montana State on a skiiing scholarship. The baseball coach happened to see him kicking a football and told the football coaches, and he went on to become the first pure kicker to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s a rather remarkable “What if?” story.)
