Greater consistency across the board is desired no doubt.
That said, kicker Will Reichard and punter Ryan Wright have been in the spotlight a fair amount and performed well. Reichard is 4-for-4 on field goal attempts with a long of 59, and he is riding a streak of six consecutive regular-season games, the longest active one, with a 50-yarder going back to last season.
Wright, after fending off a position battle in training camp for the second straight year, has booted 11 balls into the sky (second most behind Tennessee’s Johnny Hekker, 13) and owns the No. 7 net punting average (45.5 yards). That mark represents a 3.2-yard increase from his rookie year, which was his finest.
“The biggest thing is we’ve really kind of been working on his lines, his patience, how he’s swinging [his leg], not being so swipey coming across his body and kind of coming more up and through,” Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels expressed about the fourth-year punter this week. “We’ve really been just locking in on the footwork [and being] poised through the noise, and it’s really paying off for him.
“The talent has always been there,” Daniels continued. “He’s just got to lock in on those small, minor details to execute at an elite level. … But right now, he’s kind of built this supreme confidence.”
The dependability of the gunners on the punt team, zooming to cover up the returner, also is an asset.
Tavierre Thomas is a seasoned vet in that area and rookie Tai Felton has an “untamable, undeniable type of attitude that you really appreciate,” Daniels said, which has helped restrict returners to 37 yards (3.4 avg.) so far. “At some point, sooner rather than later, I expect it’s going to require two guys to try to kind of hold [Felton] up. Otherwise it’s going to be Layup City left and right between him and Mr. Wright.”