2011 Giants' Position Battles: Matt Dodge Vs. Steve Weatherford
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2011 6:37 PM EDT
in New York Giants News
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Matt Dodge heard the booing from New York Giants' fans the first time he stepped on the home turf to punt Monday night against the Chicago Bears, calling it "pretty brutal." He answered the booing with a 63-yard bomb of a punt.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin noticed the booing, and noticed the cheers after Dodge bombed his first punt.
"I would imagine a 63-yarder that pinned them to the goal would help," Coughlin said. "First of all he has to prove it and I understand that, but it would be good to think that a guy playing in that uniform at home would be well received by these fans."
The smattering of boos, though, was understandable. Dodge has a mostly miserable, inconsistent season as a rookie with the Giants in 2010. Giants fans will never forget the awful mistake Dodge made against the Philadelphia Eagles, punting a ball inbounds to DeSean Jackson on the final play of a game that resulted in a season-killing loss. I don't have to remind you what Jackson did with that mistake.
When the Giants signed veteran punter Steve Weatherford, one of the league's best punters the past couple of seasons as a free agent the assumption had to be that Dodge would be shown the door and the Giants would move on with a more consistent, reliable punter.
Funny thing about that, though. Dodge is putting up one helluva fight to keep his job. Through the first two preseason games Dodge has done nothing but hit beautiful punt after beautiful punt. To be fair, Weatherford has matched him kick for kick.
The numbers.
- Dodge -- Six punts, 48.2 yards per punt average, 37.0 net, two punts downed inside the 20, 47 total return yards allowed.
- Weatherford -- Six punts, 50.5 yards per punt average, 46.5 net, two punts downed inside the 20, 24 total return yards allowed.
Coughlin, as you might expect, said he "wouldn't speculate" on which punter might be leading the competition.
The fact that there is a question at all is a credit to Dodge. Earlier in the preseason I wrote "Steve Weatherford is one of the best punters in the league and will get the job."
Well, not so fast. Dodge has turned this into a real competition, and as fond as the Giants are of keeping their draft picks it seems -- like it or not -- that Dodge has kicked his way into having a chance to keep the job.
"I think I have been doing pretty good. I think last game I did alright. I didn't punt much throughout the game but I think in practice I have been getting better and better," Dodge said. "I think it is pretty close and we are punting well. (Weatherford) punts well all the time so I have to step my game up just to be on the same field as him. I just have to keep working hard."
Dodge said that the directional kicking the Giants demand is "not really foreign to me anymore."
"When you have a head coach telling you we need it by the sidelines before you punt it every time, you have to try. It comes with time and the more consistent ball you can hit, the better direction you are going to do it," Dodge said.
Personally, I still believe the Giants choose Weatherford. That, however, is not the slam dunk it looked like a few weeks ago.
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I don't have to cringe
Every time Weatherford punts.
I hate the Jets, Justin Bieber, Kardashians, and people in general.
PEYTON > Brady
Predictions: Jets Flop
Vikings Surprise
by espnsucks ((banned)) on Aug 25, 2011 6:39 PM EDT reply actions
Exactly...
Plus I don’t see where Ed seems to think the competition is, based on the stats he posted. Dodge, who is supposed to have the stronger leg, (his main strength) is averaging less yards per punt. His NET is WAY worse, because as the stats show, the return yards on his punts are twice as much as Weatherfords. And why is that? Probably due to one stat Ed didn’t include. How do they match up based on hang-time? Dodge still kicks line-drives. You saw it in the Bears game. When Weatherford punted, the Bears return men didn’t have a chance to return it because the coverage was already on top of them… because of way better hang-time. Weatherford should easily win this competition.
by NYStateofMind on Aug 25, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Basically...
The stats so far show that with Dodge as our punter, we are automatically giving the other team 10 extra yards of field position on each drive. Where is the competition?? Who the hell would choose to give up that kind of yardage on every drive? Weatherford all the way!!
by NYStateofMind on Aug 25, 2011 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
in Dodge's defense
his net is lower in part to shabby tackling in the Panthers game. It was a great punt but poor tackling.
+1 to the infinite power.
Factology! Belief is ignorance.
by LoNJDTechnology on Aug 25, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
problem with Dodge
the problem with him is that no matter how well he does this year in preseason.. fans will always remember what happened against the Eagles.. fair or not, the kid really wont have much of a chance to be successful in NY. we will never fully trust him no matter how well he is doing and will always wait for the other shoe to drop.
and that’s where it gets murky. as a pro athlete confidence is more important than talent. he knows that his margin for error is non-existent.. we saw what that pressure did to him last year. He plays a sport and position that is high pressure all of the time in a city that doesn’t except mistakes. how long will it be before he looses confidence in himself, knowing that everyone in the stadium is expecting him to fail?
unfortunately, i think the kid is going to be really good for a really long time. but i dont think that can or will happen with the giants. the best thing for both the Giants and for Dodge might just be to move on. Feagles messed up from time to time too, but he had established credibility, Dodge doesn’t have that. so, even if he preforms at a Feagles level, each one of his mistakes will be magnified that much more
Gotta hand it to Dodge
He’s being a man about this.
He’s got my respect, and if he earns the job I’ll certainly be rooting for him.
Win ugly.
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 25, 2011 6:50 PM EDT reply actions
the question is though
who do you feel comfortable with when the game is on the line in the 4th quarter and your down by a score… NFC East or the Wild card are on the line?
Dodge could very well surprise, but after last year he is just as likely to boom one inside the 20 as he is to botch the snap, mis-hit the ball and kick it to D-Jackson.
Dodge may be better than Weatherford now or in the future but as long as he is in NY I think the fans and coaches are going to be pretty nervous about this.. He’s gonna be really good for a long time. but i dont think he can or will in NY.
I must agree.
The 2010 Dodge should be shown the door ASAP. The 2011 Dodge should be given a chance. The lead-way is short though. I am still freshly-pissed about the Eagles game but we gotte eat right? Give Dodge a chance.
Factology! Belief is ignorance.
by LoNJDTechnology on Aug 25, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
You kind of have to give Dodge the benefit of the doubt if he wins this competition.
If he doesn’t, the conversation is useless, and Weatherford proved to be superior.
But if the coaching staff feel the need to retain Dodge, you have to trust them. They know better than anybody the impact that Philly game had, and what Dodge’s role was in it. If they take all that into consideration and Dodge is still brought back, one would have to assume he not only out-performed Weatherford, but did so in such a manner that they weren’t even thinking twice making the decision.
Win ugly.
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 25, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
good points
completely agree as far as the coaching assessment goes.. but i would just worry that the fans wouldnt give him a chance. Even Feagles made mistakes and given Dodge’s track record, i feel that the fans would tear him apart for anything less than perfection. its certainly not fair, because this kid is going to be really good in the very near future. i just dont think he will ever win back the fans in NY.
in a sport and playing a position that is loaded with pressure, how long does it take to loose confidence in your ability? to me its just seems like he is in an unwinnable situation in NY. Weatherford doesnt remind everyone of what happened last year, he has more credibility just for that, let alone playing in the AFC championship game 2 years in a row.
I think you're only looking at one side of the equation B_Korn
And that is the
how long does it take to loose confidence in your abilityside of things. Which is certainly a valid point, for a valid concern.
What you seem to be ignoring, or at least not putting into the forefront is the only thing we can go off, and that is what Dodge has shown us in thus years pre-season. What he has shown us is that he will not be going away without a fight, and that last year might have only made him stronger mentally. Often times people crumble under pressure, while just as often people thrive off it (see: Tom Coughlin or Eli Manning). He could have wilted away, shown no improvement, and continued to make the same mistakes (let’s call them “rookie” mistakes) he made last year. Instead he has been consistent in being flat out impressive.
All I’m saying is that if Dodge wins this job, it will be because he was the better punter, and thats who I want on this team.
Win ugly.
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 25, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree
just playing devils advocate a little bit.
i just don’t see fans being that understanding of him.. most fans don’t get into the details of the Giants like the people on this site do. just think he will have to do something pretty special to win back their trust… not saying he doesn’t deserve it if he wins the competition.
think it would save a ton of pressure on a lot of people if Weatherford was the guy punting.
don't agree
All I’m saying is that if Dodge wins this job, it will be because he was the better punter, and thats who I want on this team.
as Ed mentioned, the Giants don’t like to give up on draft picks. Dodge doesn’t have to be better than Weatherford. He has to show he’s cable of getting the job done unlike last season’s debacle.
Got his signature
Wish I remember which bible verse he put on it but it showed he’s doing everything he can to put it behind him
Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.
-John Madden
I have no horse in the race
I covered both my bases by getting both of their sigs haha. Dodge’s was better imo
Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.
-John Madden
(Insert joke about praying when Dodge comes on the field here)
your mom goes to college
by Oppenheimer919 on Aug 25, 2011 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont know how it happened
but I find myself rooting for Dodge.
"Kick ass. pop champagne. And get some ho's"-Hideki Matsui
by Livestrong77nyy on Aug 25, 2011 6:51 PM EDT reply actions
+1
Team JPP
"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know."
I'll tell you one thing, I'm enjoying this punting competition.
They have both been dropping some real nice punts. I would have never thought Dodge would be right there with Weatherford. In a way, I’m glad to see how much he’s improved because I always thought we needed to be patient with him since I believe he’s going to be a great punter in a couple years. Still though, he needs to remain as good as he’s been thus far for the rest of the entire preseason to have a chance at keeping the job. I don’t think he’s got any room for even a single mistake.
The football team in my school, they were tough! After they sacked the quarterback they went after his family.
by Handsome Stranger on Aug 25, 2011 6:56 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
After what happened w/ Philly....
I just feel like Dodge would have to pull a David Tyree-esque play to re-endear himself to the fans. Cut him, and let him go to a place where they don’t ever have to think about the Eagles.
Weatherford is a better punter right now anyway, it’s a win-win for Dodge, the Giants, the fans, everyone.
by Brendandeej on Aug 25, 2011 6:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If Weatherford is a better punter
He will win the job.
If Dodge wins, he deserves the spot.
Win ugly.
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 25, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
dodge will punt a 50 yard punt with loads of hangtime to desean jackson
he will run downfield, hit jackson on the chinstrap, force the fumble and run it back to win the game, is that re-endearing enough? lol
"I like prime rib, and I'd love to win a Super Bowl" -Andy Reid
what if they're exactly the same?
"The nerve of certain youngins running their mouth.
Until [the Eagles] win something major, I don't want to hear it."
-the Facebook mayor of East Rutherford
fight to the death on Reese's blimp
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
by Rorschach44 on Aug 25, 2011 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
maybe armwrestle?
A fight to the death might cost the winner his leg…
or have Dodge play linebacker.
Contest between them to see who can kick Quinn the farthest?
And yes I realize that the special teams played MUCH better against the Bears, but that’s about once they’ve looked good in a couple of years.
+1 on the kick Qu__n part
All the Giants should play like Mark Bavaro.
Tom Quinn Must Go!
It is equally worthless when people are always optimistic or always pessimistic. Either way I take their opinion with a pound of salt because I know they only have one setting. I post my own thoughts, not what either side wants to read.
by UnknownJintsFan on Aug 25, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
It doesn't matter
The guy who catches Quinn will just break 8 of our tackles and take him to the house anyway…hey maybe he’d get spiked or thrown in the stands. Yeah let’s do this.
The Giants will probabaly move to LA because they suck so bad
I've got to wonder
if the money is factoring into this at all. Dodge is set to make $405k this year. not sure what we’re paying Weatherford. I’d assume it’s less than $1mil so maybe it doesn’t matter. I guess what I’m saying is that if Dodge can keep performing well enough to stay in the conversation with Steve, then he get’s the job because he’s cheaper.
Team Dodge!!
Hey, the kid was thrown into the fire, screwed up plenty, but with a whole city all over his case, he’s not melting. He’s growing.
I respect the living hell out of that.
Kinda rooting for him, in spite of myself and the pain of last season.
"Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand."
I'm with you
I think Dodge has a huge upside and we will forget about last season soon enough.
Let's agree to disagree - right after you admit that you're completely wrong.
I was at the Philly game
and I’m still willing to give Dodge another chance. Hey, at least we’re not talking about a John Beck / Rex Grossman competition
Amen
Or Jackson/Whitehurst. Or Smith/Kaepernick. Or Fitzpatrick/Thigpen/Smith. Or … God bless the “Unstoppable” Eli Manning!
by BleedBigBlue on Aug 26, 2011 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions
What if Matt Dodge was white?
Let's agree to disagree - right after you admit that you're completely wrong.
by nywins42 on Aug 25, 2011 7:06 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I'll tell you what
This wouldn’t even be a question.
Team Ghost: Manningham, Sintim, Beckum, Barden, JPP, Anvil, Ross
Can you shop a very innapropriate picture for us?
Win ugly.
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 25, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I've tried, tito
Then I decided it may be a “bad idea” so I decided against it. I didn’t decide against telling the story of my “bad decision” to try to sell magazines.
Let's agree to disagree - right after you admit that you're completely wrong.
I like how you're owning up to a possible failed prediction, Ed
I was on the same bandwagon, but it’s anyone’s game at this point.
"The nerve of certain youngins running their mouth.
Until [the Eagles] win something major, I don't want to hear it."
-the Facebook mayor of East Rutherford
Dodge on the cheap!
C’mon, if you don’t think this kid was practicing day in day out during the offseason, your just kidding yourself.
He plays for the “Giants” in the largest city in all the NFL.
He got torn apart and thoroughly ripped, not only here, but by the media everywhere after last years debacle. Which most agree, he doesn’t’ deserve the lion-share of the blame on that one, with were 10 other guys out there! He’s coming back with a chip on his shoulder. Hell he can take Marvin Austin’ chip as well. He won’t need it til next year anyhow. I say he makes the team and helps to improve our ST exponentially with deep booming kicks with hang time enough for our gunners to make some plays..|
Team JPP
"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know."
That's my biggest concern skill wise with him.
Not talking about the mental mistakes, or his leg, I want to know if when he kicks one of his 70 yard bombs, if he can get the hang time to let the coverage get down the field to make a tackle. Hang time has been his one skill weakness. Time will tell.
"They're going to expect me to go out there and play better to win games, and I expect that from myself, ... There's no reason for me not to go out there and play at a high level."- Eli Manning
SB 42 was forever ago, that being said, we need to try and pick up a good GM in the free agency!!!!
by ManningHam and Cheese on Aug 25, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed! The strength isn't in question!
Technique! Just give our boys a chance!
Whoever wins out will be the better option, I, just like the giants, have to root for the underdog. It’s the better storyline anyhow1
Team JPP
"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know."
I don’t have to remind you what Jackson did with that mistake.
Huh?
"The nerve of certain youngins running their mouth.
Until [the Eagles] win something major, I don't want to hear it."
-the Facebook mayor of East Rutherford
Uhhhhh???? Seriously, have you blocked that play from your memory recall bank?
"They're going to expect me to go out there and play better to win games, and I expect that from myself, ... There's no reason for me not to go out there and play at a high level."- Eli Manning
SB 42 was forever ago, that being said, we need to try and pick up a good GM in the free agency!!!!
by ManningHam and Cheese on Aug 25, 2011 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Its the final 8 seconds
Where all GIants fans felt it was impossible for a team to come back by 28pts with 8 minutes left in the game? That on I think right?
Team JPP
"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know."
I just shuttered, thanks for that.
"They're going to expect me to go out there and play better to win games, and I expect that from myself, ... There's no reason for me not to go out there and play at a high level."- Eli Manning
SB 42 was forever ago, that being said, we need to try and pick up a good GM in the free agency!!!!
by ManningHam and Cheese on Aug 25, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Expletives & A Profanity Laced Tirade
that’s all I’m willing to remember…
Team JPP
"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know."
I turned off the TV
before he got in. It never happened in my eyes.
by Well-Rounded Cube on Aug 25, 2011 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
That was a jerk move, guy.
Win ugly.
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 25, 2011 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't
write about that … or get any closer than I already did.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
it goes down as
the first time my son cried watching the giants…
I hope for his sake that it’s the last
Go Big Blue!
I stormed out of the bar on that one
My girlfriend was upset that I just left her in there. She should be thankful that’s all I did cuz if I could have converted anger into adrenalin the car would’ve been up in a tree.
The Giants will probabaly move to LA because they suck so bad
Weatherford any day of the week.
At least he can punt the ball out of bounds when asked to do so.
SW wins the job ....
Dodge then gets picked up by the Eagles and becomes a pro bowler.
perfect
I may not be the most noble of men but in a town of lepers, im the one with the most fingers.
Giant LB'z SUCK!!? Mark Herzlich, Greg Jones,Spencer Paysinger...Maybe not..
Ghost your sig makes me want to do a Team Cheese.
It should be oozing with awesomeness.
"They're going to expect me to go out there and play better to win games, and I expect that from myself, ... There's no reason for me not to go out there and play at a high level."- Eli Manning
SB 42 was forever ago, that being said, we need to try and pick up a good GM in the free agency!!!!
by ManningHam and Cheese on Aug 25, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
People kill dodge....
But how many missed tackles were there after DJax MUFFED THE PUNT!?
You mean to tell me there isn't ONE photoshopped image of Optimus Prime with a New York Giants logo?? RIDICULOUS!!
by EnWhySee on Aug 25, 2011 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
11.
"They're going to expect me to go out there and play better to win games, and I expect that from myself, ... There's no reason for me not to go out there and play at a high level."- Eli Manning
SB 42 was forever ago, that being said, we need to try and pick up a good GM in the free agency!!!!
by ManningHam and Cheese on Aug 25, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
yes
an epic failure for the entire unit.
by BleedBigBlue on Aug 25, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
1 missed tackle is one too many.
Let alone 11. WTF!
You mean to tell me there isn't ONE photoshopped image of Optimus Prime with a New York Giants logo?? RIDICULOUS!!
we aren't obligated to make excuses for him
We all know our special teams were awful this year. TQ is back—no turning back there—we don’t have to bring back Dodge too.
Dodge is a perfect microcosm
of the entire Giants team. Awesome talent completely wasted by inconsistency and boneheaded mistakes. I say if we can forgive the rest of the team for the turnovers and meltdowns, and expect them to hold their heads up and turn it all around this season then why not Dodge?
He fits doesn't he!
Team JPP
"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know."
Dodge
Made a lot of mistakes his rookie year as did a lot of veterans (see turnovers)
I would rather see a young guy make it and stick for the long haul than sign a guy that has played on 4 different teams since 06
and if he makes it with us that will be 5
You can see a lot just by observing-Yogi Berra
We gotta stop with killing Dodge over the punt to Djax
Whats done is done. That was last year. Lets stop harping on it. Theres nuthing Dodge can do to get that punt back. He’s showing this preseason how much he’s learned from it. Honestly, it was genius for Coughlin and Reese to sign Weatherford. Their message was simple: this job is not a given, you have to earn it. They had to see if Dodge could handle the competition. And he’s doing an awesome job. I really hope Dodge wins this battle, he has the talent to be a pro bowler in 2 or 3 years.
"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?"
-Abraham Lincoln
"Let me explain something to you. Um, I am not 'Mr. Lebowski'. You're Mr. Lebowski. I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing."
-Jeffery Lebowski, The Dude
Small sample size
Weatherford has 9yd better net avg. I missed the Carolina game. Is this due to better hangtime and sideline placement or has he gotten better performance from the coverage team?
by G-FANinFL on Aug 25, 2011 7:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Net
It’s mostly due to a couple of missed tackles on a really good Dodge punt against Carolina. He pinned the returner into the sideline, and the coverage guys were there and missed him. Not his fault at all.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2011 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree
Seems like most times when Weatherford punts, the coverage is pretty close to the return man when he catches the ball, which leads to easier tackles or fair-catches… hence the 10 yard difference in net. I don’t see the same coverage when Dodge kicks. Does the special teams only play well for Weatherford? No. He gives them better opportunity to do their job well by kicking with better hang-time.
by NYStateofMind on Aug 25, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually
On Dodge’s second punt in the bears game the coverage was there at the point of the reception — around the 10 and a flat out easy tackle was missed allowing the returner to get about 8 or 9 yards.
by Tucker Fredrickson on Aug 26, 2011 6:10 AM EDT up reply actions
that one got me in trouble
lets just say that punt made me say some things a 10 year old such as my lil brother shouldnt have heard, especially over how good the dodge was
"I like prime rib, and I'd love to win a Super Bowl" -Andy Reid
May the best punter win,but
I was at the mistake at the meadowlands. Dodge made a big boo-boo and all the fans knew it as soon as the ball got to djax. If he kicked it sideways out of bouns, it would have been a better play. Forget athletic ability, you need some understanding of strategy to suceed.
He didn’t lose the game by himself, but he and the special teams put the final nail in the coffin. This reminds me – cut Tom Quinn!
No one kills Dodge
for not tackling DJax
"The nerve of certain youngins running their mouth.
Until [the Eagles] win something major, I don't want to hear it."
-the Facebook mayor of East Rutherford
Dude (Dodge) has got to learn how to shoe-string tackle. I'm sorry but he has to!!
Factology! Belief is ignorance.
by LoNJDTechnology on Aug 25, 2011 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Bill Buckner syndrome
Why is Dodge so closely associated with that devastating loss last year? There are about two dozen Giants ahead of Dodge on the blame-list.
Dodge sucked last year, but the booing he received, including during this past Monday, has been brutal, and I’d love to see him turn it around and become a reliable punter for the Giants.
I agree with this 100%
I realize why that one comes to mind, but that isn’t the reason he’s essentially on trial right now. He deserves a shot to improve, and I’m failing to see the logic behind booing the guy. The guy could absolutely go on to become a great punter. Could we stop acting like a bunch of scorned ex-girlfriends? He’ll never be able to win the fans back… what?
your mom goes to college
by Oppenheimer919 on Aug 25, 2011 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Pats fan here with my $0.02.
Dodge was one of the best rookie punters in recent memory. He had a better punting average than our rookie punter last year, Zoltan Mesko (only by a little bit but still). He has talent and as shown here, class. He’s going to be successful in the NFL for a long time if he can hold onto both.
But that being said, I agree with what most fans here are saying. Giants fans will never fully trust him and in the NFL, you need confidence and the trust of your fans to succeed. The Giants should release him. They’re not going to be at a huge loss since they have Weatherford who punts as well or even better ready to go. And they’ll be helping Dodge and his career as well since they’ll be giving an above average punter a fresh start. I have no doubt another NFL team will come and pick him up and give him the fresh start he sincerely deserves.
Cyril P
cyrilp715@yahoo.com
Thanks for the input
What you wonder is how much, if at all, the Giants organization will factor in that ‘trust factor’ with the fans. Can’t have the guy getting booed all the time, or getting crucified when he does hit a bad punt. I also agree that Dodge is going to end up having a very long, very successful NFL career. Just don’t know if it will be with the Giants.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
None
the organization is not going to consider the fan’s ‘trust factor’ at all.
+1000000
The ORG is a sports business, but a very well run sport business by 2 of the best owners in the NFL. they will do what they think is right for the ORG.
and I would say keep Dodge, I thought I saw a graphic at the end of the Chicago game that showed Dodge out did Weatherford in that game. I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I believe it included NET yards as well.
I'm down with J.P.P.
Yeah you know me...
and secret agents
#13 & #47
I'd hope the organization is more worried about how much the coaches trust him
if they trust him and he punts well the hoards will come around eventually. Also if Dodge is good but occasionally shanks a punt (like 100% o NFL punters do) and Dodge gets booed, all he has to do is go ask Eli Manning what its like to play here. Doesn’t matter how far Eli distances himself as the best QB NY has ever seen, fans still rip him.
If Dodge is going to be a good NFL punter for his career, I’d hate to see it somewhere else. It’d be like getting rid of Brad Maynard again.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Yeah letting go Maynard turned out really bad.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
I prefer Weatherford
As we all know, Dodge has talent but is not consistent. Might he get there? Sure. But will he? Who knows.
Weatherford is consistent and can directional kick. That is very important.
We might be giving up a great talent. We don’t know.
We have to go with what we do know is that right now, Weatherford is more reliable and can directional kick. Potential of Dodge is just that unrealized potential.
Until proven otherwise, Weatherford is my pick. This team has enough current issues, why put another unknown into the mix. We don’t lose much if we choose SW even if Dodge becomes a great. If we pass on SW and Dodge continues as he has, we lose much.
All the Giants should play like Mark Bavaro.
Tom Quinn Must Go!
It is equally worthless when people are always optimistic or always pessimistic. Either way I take their opinion with a pound of salt because I know they only have one setting. I post my own thoughts, not what either side wants to read.
by UnknownJintsFan on Aug 25, 2011 8:01 PM EDT reply actions
One more detail — $$$$$$ — could tip things in favor of Dodge. And if Dodge becomes a consistently good punter for us, I think the fans will forgive him by the end of the season. However, I do notice that Weatherford has put up better numbers than Dodge, and on that basis he should be the choice.;
by hopeforthefuture3 on Aug 25, 2011 8:11 PM EDT reply actions
Dodge!
Giants looking long term. Kid punts well this Saturday, job is his.
The infamous Eagles game
Dodge did indeed put a period on the end of a very long and tortured sentence that was begun by an offense that ducked into a turtle shell and a defense that, down the stretch, played like an entitled gaggle of trust fund kids. Dodge’s rookie nerves just happened to be called up at the worst possible moment, a moment created by all of the above. Dodge should get the nod this year (if he continues to impress).
I was at the game
and one of the legion of stunned zombies who left the stadium that day wondering what just happened. As I walked to the car, I could only imagine a season void of Tom Quinn and Matt Dodge to assuage my angst/embarassment/shock—TQ is back. Let’s not bring back Dodge too.
Rookie Mistakes
I have been a defender of Dodge since last year. He had some rookie issues but I do not think that means we should dump him. We didn’t dump Eli when he was horrible his rookie season (I still cringe when I see him drop back sometimes too, no worse than Dodge). Webster was terrible early on. It would be nice to have a long term player at punter so we can stop wondering who will be punting for us every 2-3 years.
we traded up in the first round to get Eli
and factored him in as our franchise qb. Dodge was a 7th round draft choice PUNTER. Not just you, but STOP making these comparisons.
Koch
Is the younger feagles
I hate the Jets, Justin Bieber, Kardashians, and people in general.
PEYTON > Brady
Predictions: Jets Flop
Vikings Surprise
by espnsucks ((banned)) on Aug 25, 2011 10:14 PM EDT reply actions
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