Billy Cundiff, Sam Koch Kicking Away Ravens' Offensive Flaws

Filed under: Ravens, AFC North

BALTIMORE -- The Ravens have everything on their roster to get to the Super Bowl. Their defense has come alive, especially since safety Ed Reed returned to the lineup and is back to his old tricks as he quickly captured the league title for interceptions with 8, despite missing six games.

And the offense, which showed signs of domination on and off throughout the season -- all right, mainly off -- is progressing, but not to the level they were expected. The postseason starts next Sunday in Kansas City and the offense in continuing to find what works for them consistently. Until then, field position will be extremely important and that's when the unsung, most reliable portion of the Ravens' game plan will be critical -- kicking and punting.

"Like you said, the kicking game is important and it will be huge in the playoffs," said Ravens punter Sam Koch. "We (with kicker Billy Cundiff) work very hard to be the best we can be for the team. To pin teams deep into their territory to make things harder for (opposing offenses) against our defense can be a game-changer. It's great to be a part of what's going on here."

Koch was a sixth-round draft pick for the Ravens in 2006 and since his arrival, Baltimore's punting game has been deadly for opposing teams. Koch was named to the 2010 All-Fundamentals Team by USA Football and the NFL Players Association. He finished second in the league in punts landing inside the 20 with 39 (Jets punter Steve Weatherford had 42) and he's second in net average with 39.2 (Raiders punter Shane Lechler averaged 40.8).

When asked about him being snubbed for the Pro Bowl, Koch spoke highly of Lechler but he's more concerned about the team's success.

"Shane (Lechler) is truly deserving of (being selected as a Pro Bowler) and I respect him a lot and maybe my day will come, but if I'm doing my part in helping this team be successful, that's what I'm pleased with," said Koch.

In the cold climates of the East Coast, Koch feels comfortable booting the ball high and long in Baltimore thanks to his upbringing in Nebraska. "I'm from Nebraska, so kicking in cold weather does not bother me at all. ... I'm used to it," said the 28-year old Koch, with a smile.

However, Cundiff is a Pro Bowler for the first time of his nine-year journeyman career. He kicked for the Saints in 2006, the Browns in 2009 and didn't take an NFL kick in between. The 30-year-old veteran joined the Ravens late in 2009 after Baltimore's kicking game struggled mightily in the clutch and the team looked elsewhere, and he has delivered this season going 26-for-29 on field goals and 39-for-39 on extra points.

Cundiff also tied an NFL single-season record with his 40th touchback in Sunday's 13-7 win over the Bengals -- and Cundiff was surprised that the fans were aware of his accomplishment.

"It's really strange to put the ball on the tee and have everybody go, 'OK, we want this touchback," said Cundiff after the game. "I think they wanted it more than I did."

But the competitive of Cundiff wanted to break the record set by Vikings kicker Mitch Berger in 1994.

"Obviously, I wish I would have broken it, right? I kind of felt like I left two kicks out there," said Cundiff. "I just didn't get through them as much as I would have liked. Still, if you would have taken me (aside) at the last game of the season last year and talked (to) me about if I would be disappointed that I only got two touchbacks and I'm playing at the end of the season this year, I think that's a good progression for me as kicker. It's exciting."

Kickers are one-of-a-kind athletes on a NFL roster. They are not gym rats and they don't need to be clocked for their forty speed. Kickers efforts are downplayed because all they have to do a kick, but at the same time, no one on a NFL roster wants to do their job. The Ravens are in a unique situation with their kicking game, and the legs of Koch and Cundiff will be huge this postseason.

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/03/billy-cundiff-sam-koch-kicking-away-ravens-offensive-flaws/

Tory Collins Brandon McRae Jermelle Cudjo James Farrior Fred Davis Peter Mayer