Was holding Eagles punter Mat McBriar's Problem?
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Was holding Eagles punter Mat McBriar's Problem?
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Most people watching the Eagles figured two-time Pro Bowl veteran Mat McBriar, battling back from a nerve problem in his plant leg, had won the punting battle against incumbent Chas Henry.
Apparently, we were wrong about that.
McBriar's agent, Jack Bechta, tweeted Wednesday that McBriar will be released by the Eagles, despite a preseason net more than 8 yards per punt better than Henry. It sure seemed the Birds were grooming McBriar to take over the position in the preseason.
One rationale could be that McBriar has acknowledged not being a great holder. The Eagles, like many teams, use their punter to hold, and Henry and Alex Henery were a solid combination last season, clicking on 24 of 27 field goal attempts. McBriar was the holder for a 41-yard Henery miss last Friday night at Cleveland, in which the laces apparently weren't in the proper spot.
Bechta tweeted that he thinks McBriar will be snapped up quickly.
CORRECTION: A previoius version of this post referrred to a tweet during the first preseason game from McBriar's wife, Erin, which indicated she felt Mat McBriar was relieved not to have had to hold that night. Erin McBriar maintains this was not her intent.
Bad enough you are a kicker, but if in addition your wife tweets for you, your job and manhood should be cut— Blue Hens Rule- Bad enough you are a kicker, but if in addition your wife tweets for you, your job and manhood should be cut— Blue Hens Rule
- I heard that they kept Chas because he makes a heck of a Spanish omelet, and you know how much Andy likes eggs....— chollie
- id rather have a backup qb holding the ball so if the snap is bad, backup qb knows how to throw a pass.— bloodymess
- Isn't having the holder be a back-up QB better for situations like fake field goals?— Penfold18
- Oh how we yearn for the golden years of sports reporting. Reporters were eloquently descriptive, colorful, and deeply thoughtful of the drama of the game. Unfortunately this is what one gets with instant media coverage.— Mystified
- It's the pre-season not much to write about.... so this is what we get lol A story about a kicker who may not last 16 games much less 20 if we go deep in the playoffs with nerve damage in his plant foot. If Dallas let him go there must be something wrong with the guy. Eagles picked him up to push Henrey to let him know, son you got to do a better job, you too are expendable in the NFL.
- At first I was like get another holder...then I drafted Henry in my FF league and now I am like see ya mcbriar, need alex to feel comfortable...just saying:)— tsump
- Not sure the stats indicate McBriar outkicked Henry. McBriar had a net of just under 42 for his 5 kicks where the end zone was not in play. Henry's net on his 2 such kicks was 42.5. McBriar was 1/2 inside the 20 with a touch back. Henry one touch back, one kick returned from the 11 to the 22 and 4 downed inside the 20.
- we talking about punting !!...in my Iverson voice.. get a grip folks— positive eagle
- The Eagles will be fine with either punter. I DO like the idea of a backup QB holding, however. Makes the defense have to plan for a fake on field goals.— dlscholt
- Is it possible that the holding thing is a red herring? Maybe the Eagles have some doubts about McBriar's durability, coming off that surgery, but don't want to mess up his chances of signing on with another team.
- Football is a game of field position. Believing the punter doesn't matter shows that you don't understand the deep complexities of game theory. Last year, the Eagles punter was awful and a close look would reveal that lost field position certainly cost them. Throw in that they have a FG kicker who struggles with kicks over 45 yds and the Eagles are starting behind the 8-ball when it comes to field position and scoring range every game.— UncleStosh
- Yesterday, I read that Henrys' net avg was only 33+ yds. Then I read that approximately 65% of his kicks were downed inside the 20. Kicking on a short field will lower your average. I'll bet that if you compare Henrys' and McBriars' numbers on "air it out" kicks, you'll find that McBriars yardage edge is slight. Factor in the holding issue and the lower salary of the younger "less proven" player, and this is a no brainer.— maurysline
- Uhhhh....i would be more concerned on LT and safety. Least of our problems.— oldBird
