Blogs > Lions Lowdown

One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

8/12/2013

Detroit Lions: More to special teams than Kickalicious


Punters Sam Martin and Blake Clingan couldn't help themselves. 

Monday's Lions' practice was the first of training camp that was moved inside due to rain. 

Not sure exactly how high the practice field ceiling is, but it's high. Still several punts hit the rafters and bounced back to the turf.

“The idea is to not hit the roof. It’s to get distance, hang time and direction. I think they were doing a pretty good job with that,'' coach Jim Schwartz said. "We weren’t as consistent as we had been in the past.

"It’s the first time that our luck ran out with the rain. First time we were inside. A lot of those kicks, the other days, would’ve done the same thing. You just don’t notice it when you’re not inside,'' the coach added.

While much has been made of rookie kicker Havard "Kickalicious" Rugland and if he can compete with veteran kicker David Akers. There's also competition at punter between rookie Sam Martin, a fifth-round draft pick out of Appalachian State, and Blake Clingan.

"They’re both quality punters. They’re both kicking very well,'' Schwartz said. "They are competing well and they both performed well in the game.''

Martin missed on his second punt in Friday's preseason win over the Jets because he caught a leg cramp in his calf while he was kicking it.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Paula, you might want to show your editors the difference between a punter and place kicker next time they need to choose a pic

8:35 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm ok with that pic. #6 is Sam Martin, and he can and will do kickoffs if he wins the job. Less wear and tear on Akers or Rugland...

8:50 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous.......#6 on the Lions is Sam Martin.....a punter....just sayin.

8:51 PM 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

....its not really a competition though. if you draft a punter, your not going to cut him. its martin's job end of story.

8:57 PM 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home