Angry Pope
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Just for Kicks
September 21, 2006
The Oakland Raiders feature possibly the best two kickers in the league, Shane Lechler and Sebastian Janikowski. Both selected in the 2000 NFL draft, the tandem have excelled at their craft. In only six seasons, Lechler is already being mentioned as one of the best punters to ever play. He has the highest average per punt over a career in the history of the NFL, averaging 45.9 yards a kick and holds the four best single-season punting averages in the illustrious history of the Raiders.
From week 13 in 2003 to week 14 in 2005, Lechler had at least one kick in each game reach 50 yards or beyond, the longest streak ever in the NFL. In five of the past six seasons, he has averaged over 45.6 yards a punt.
Lechler's dominance should not come as a surprise. When the Raiders drafted him with their 5th round choice in 2000, Lechler had left Texas A&M as the NCAA's all-time career leader in punting average at 44.7 yards per punt.
When asked how he feels about the title of the best punter in the history of the NFL, Lechler said, "I don't think about that." All I think about is the Raider motto of Commitment to Excellence,'" he said. "If all my practice pays off and come game day I kick well, whatever title happens to land on me, I'm fine with it."
The former high school quarterback says he has been working on his punting since he was three years old. "My father was a coach," the three-time All-Pro said. "I have been doing two-a-day practices since I could walk, and since I could walk, I have been kicking."
The 2000 draft also produced first round selection Sebastian Janikowski. The Polish-born placekicker has lived up to his early draft selection. The move to draft Janikowski has paid off, as Janikowski owns the highest field goal percentage in Raider history at 78.4 percent.
Janikowski has led the Raiders in scoring each of his first six seasons and owns the franchise record for longest field goal made.
"Sea-Bass," as he is known by his teammates, won the Lou Groza award at Florida State in both 1998 and 1999, the award given to the best placekicker in the nation. Janikowski enters this year with a rhythm.
"I'm in a groove," Janikowski said, "I'm feeling it; I just want to keep it going all year long." Asked as to how he prepared for the year, Janikowski replied, "Golf. It helps me get in a rhythm and relax. Just how I feel myself during a golf swing, I feel the same way during a kick, whether good or bad, and right now I feel good."
Both kickers give Head Coach Art Shell credit for their continued success and motivation to excel. "He expects perfection," Janikowski said, "and that is what I am trying to do."
Lechler agrees. "Commitment to Excellence," the two-time Pro Bowler said. "Nothing but the best and 100 percent effort every time. Nothing less is going to fly with him.
"It does not matter what position you play, but you better get after it, or else you are going to have a problem."
Do the kickers feel the accountability? "Yes," Lechler said. "Especially with Sea-Bass and I, because we are in the open. Everyone can see what we do, when it comes to our job."
The focus towards accountability and the Commitment to Excellence have taken the Raiders kicking game to another level.
September 21, 2006
The Oakland Raiders feature possibly the best two kickers in the league, Shane Lechler and Sebastian Janikowski. Both selected in the 2000 NFL draft, the tandem have excelled at their craft. In only six seasons, Lechler is already being mentioned as one of the best punters to ever play. He has the highest average per punt over a career in the history of the NFL, averaging 45.9 yards a kick and holds the four best single-season punting averages in the illustrious history of the Raiders.
From week 13 in 2003 to week 14 in 2005, Lechler had at least one kick in each game reach 50 yards or beyond, the longest streak ever in the NFL. In five of the past six seasons, he has averaged over 45.6 yards a punt.
Lechler's dominance should not come as a surprise. When the Raiders drafted him with their 5th round choice in 2000, Lechler had left Texas A&M as the NCAA's all-time career leader in punting average at 44.7 yards per punt.
When asked how he feels about the title of the best punter in the history of the NFL, Lechler said, "I don't think about that." All I think about is the Raider motto of Commitment to Excellence,'" he said. "If all my practice pays off and come game day I kick well, whatever title happens to land on me, I'm fine with it."
The former high school quarterback says he has been working on his punting since he was three years old. "My father was a coach," the three-time All-Pro said. "I have been doing two-a-day practices since I could walk, and since I could walk, I have been kicking."
The 2000 draft also produced first round selection Sebastian Janikowski. The Polish-born placekicker has lived up to his early draft selection. The move to draft Janikowski has paid off, as Janikowski owns the highest field goal percentage in Raider history at 78.4 percent.
Janikowski has led the Raiders in scoring each of his first six seasons and owns the franchise record for longest field goal made.
"Sea-Bass," as he is known by his teammates, won the Lou Groza award at Florida State in both 1998 and 1999, the award given to the best placekicker in the nation. Janikowski enters this year with a rhythm.
"I'm in a groove," Janikowski said, "I'm feeling it; I just want to keep it going all year long." Asked as to how he prepared for the year, Janikowski replied, "Golf. It helps me get in a rhythm and relax. Just how I feel myself during a golf swing, I feel the same way during a kick, whether good or bad, and right now I feel good."
Both kickers give Head Coach Art Shell credit for their continued success and motivation to excel. "He expects perfection," Janikowski said, "and that is what I am trying to do."
Lechler agrees. "Commitment to Excellence," the two-time Pro Bowler said. "Nothing but the best and 100 percent effort every time. Nothing less is going to fly with him.
"It does not matter what position you play, but you better get after it, or else you are going to have a problem."
Do the kickers feel the accountability? "Yes," Lechler said. "Especially with Sea-Bass and I, because we are in the open. Everyone can see what we do, when it comes to our job."
The focus towards accountability and the Commitment to Excellence have taken the Raiders kicking game to another level.