[metsjetsfan]

2. Williamson - the difference in opponents' field position when Whitaker handles kickoffs is worth about 10 points per game.

I believe the inept kickoffs by Whitaker are simply his awful attempts at angling pooch or squib kicks.  For U$C, it seemed that the gameplan was to avoid sending the ball to Woods and concede the 30-35 yard line for U$C to start at.  Unfortunately, Whitaker couldn't figure out how to do that without sending the ball out of bounds or near the 40-45 yard line.  Against OSU, I think the only bad kick, again, was an attempt to squib it.  But I would imagine he spends this entire week practicing those types of kicks in preparation for De'Anthony Thomas/LaMichael James this Saturday.

Otherwise, if he's given the green light to just hit the ball as far as possible, I don't think Whitaker is horrible at kickoffs.  My main concern is that Whitaker would be shaky past 35-40 yards a la the Alabama kicker.  Missed 40-50 yd FGs could potentially be devastating by giving Oregon great field position. 

He almost missed the PAT in the 2nd overtime against U$C, which shows that he definitely does not have ice in his veins.  So in high pressure situations, such as a last minute FG, I'd be VERY worried about his ability to put even a 35 yarder through the uprights.  Williamson, on the surface, would appear to have gained enough confidence over the first 7 games so the pressure wouldn't affect him as much.  But you never know (see Boise State All-American senior kicker last year).

[metsjetsfan]

2. Williamson - the difference in opponents' field position when Whitaker handles kickoffs is worth about 10 points per game.

I believe the inept kickoffs by Whitaker are simply his awful attempts at angling pooch or squib kicks.  For U$C, it seemed that the gameplan was to avoid sending the ball to Woods and concede the 30-35 yard line for U$C to start at.  Unfortunately, Whitaker couldn't figure out how to do that without sending the ball out of bounds or near the 40-45 yard line.  Against OSU, I think the only bad kick, again, was an attempt to squib it.  But I would imagine he spends this entire week practicing those types of kicks in preparation for De'Anthony Thomas/LaMichael James this Saturday.

Otherwise, if he's given the green light to just hit the ball as far as possible, I don't think Whitaker is horrible at kickoffs.  My main concern is that Whitaker would be shaky past 35-40 yards a la the Alabama kicker.  Missed 40-50 yd FGs could potentially be devastating by giving Oregon great field position. 

He almost missed the PAT in the 2nd overtime against U$C, which shows that he definitely does not have ice in his veins.  So in high pressure situations, such as a last minute FG, I'd be VERY worried about his ability to put even a 35 yarder through the uprights.  Williamson, on the surface, would appear to have gained enough confidence over the first 7 games so the pressure wouldn't affect him as much.  But you never know (see Boise State All-American senior kicker last year).