Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSyracuse kickers battle once more starting job
By Scott Bisang
Posted: 9/14/05, 11:16 PM EST Section: Sports
John Barker, Syracuse's No. 3 kicker coming out of preseason camp, received the figurative call in the bullpen this week to warm up.
Barker's kicking mates - sophomore Ricky Krautman and redshirt freshman Patrick Shadle - didn't impress in SU's 31-0 win over Buffalo on Saturday, so head coach Greg Robinson inserted Barker, a walk-on freshman, back into the mix.
Robinson doesn't have anything to lose after his first two options looked shaky Saturday.
Krautman had a low 40-yard field goal blocked and later bounced an extra point off the right upright. It managed to bounce in, but only after a loud thud.
Shadle didn't fare any better in his first try, missing on a 39-yard attempt. Robinson wants better results for Saturday's noon game against Virginia at the Carrier Dome.
"Coach Robinson called me over and he just told me, 'Ricky you can kick an extra point 47, 50 yards, so make sure you do that every kick,'" Krautman said. "'It doesn't matter if it's an extra point or a field goal, make sure you do it every time.' I know what I have to do out there. I know I can do it every time."
Robinson called Saturday's effort a "disappointment," since the kickers demonstrated they had the ability to be successful during an intense preseason competition. Robinson ended the speculation days prior to Syracuse's opener against West Virginia by tabbing Krautman for extra points and short field goals and Shadle for longer attempts.
The difference between a short field goal and a longer one is anyone's guess, but Saturday's game didn't provide the answer. Krautman missed a 40-yard field goal, essentially a long attempt, while Shadle missed from a yard closer.
Krautman said Robinson never designated a specific yardage but other coaches have told him if the team is around the 20-yard line or in, Krautman will kick. If the kick is longer, it's Shadle's responsibility.
Robinson didn't elaborate on that strategy in his Sunday conference. Instead, the first-year coach said he was going to speak with Barker and inform the freshman he was getting another look.
Barker's kicking mates - sophomore Ricky Krautman and redshirt freshman Patrick Shadle - didn't impress in SU's 31-0 win over Buffalo on Saturday, so head coach Greg Robinson inserted Barker, a walk-on freshman, back into the mix.
Robinson doesn't have anything to lose after his first two options looked shaky Saturday.
Krautman had a low 40-yard field goal blocked and later bounced an extra point off the right upright. It managed to bounce in, but only after a loud thud.
Shadle didn't fare any better in his first try, missing on a 39-yard attempt. Robinson wants better results for Saturday's noon game against Virginia at the Carrier Dome.
"Coach Robinson called me over and he just told me, 'Ricky you can kick an extra point 47, 50 yards, so make sure you do that every kick,'" Krautman said. "'It doesn't matter if it's an extra point or a field goal, make sure you do it every time.' I know what I have to do out there. I know I can do it every time."
Robinson called Saturday's effort a "disappointment," since the kickers demonstrated they had the ability to be successful during an intense preseason competition. Robinson ended the speculation days prior to Syracuse's opener against West Virginia by tabbing Krautman for extra points and short field goals and Shadle for longer attempts.
The difference between a short field goal and a longer one is anyone's guess, but Saturday's game didn't provide the answer. Krautman missed a 40-yard field goal, essentially a long attempt, while Shadle missed from a yard closer.
Krautman said Robinson never designated a specific yardage but other coaches have told him if the team is around the 20-yard line or in, Krautman will kick. If the kick is longer, it's Shadle's responsibility.
Robinson didn't elaborate on that strategy in his Sunday conference. Instead, the first-year coach said he was going to speak with Barker and inform the freshman he was getting another look.
