Can the Punter be MVP of a Game? (1 Viewer)

[Islander]

Ok I am half serious half joking. But if a punter can ever be the MVP of a game, it would be Scifres yesterday:

1. punt 51 yards to Colts 10, no return

2. punt 58 yards to Colts 15, return 4 yards, net 54 yds

3. punt 50 yards to Colts 3, no return

4. punt 67 yards to Colts 5, return 2 yards, net 65 yds

5. punt 38 yards to Colts 9, no return (this punt affected his average, but when you punt inside the 10 how can you complain?)

and most important of all, in crunch time, down by 3 and punting the ball away with only 3 minutes left the Chargers needed a great punt:

6. punt 52 yards to Colts 1, no return

Obvious I would say Sproles was the MVP not Scifres. But that last punt was a game changer. Include that with all the previous punts and it's top notch game for a punter.

 

[Thunderlips]

I think to the observant fan, the coaches and the players a punter can absolutely be an MVP. To the network and the league though....no way.

 

[Serenity Now]

That 67 yarder was just a killer, too. Exactly what the Chargers needed in that moment.

 

[Da Guru]

The last punt goes into the endzone and the Colts win. The guy boomed the ball all night.

I would say the punter was the first star of the game for the Chargers, the refs were star #2 for the Chargers.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

My 16 year old son and I were watching the game. He's the punter for his H.S. team.

He was in awe.

We discussed the MVP thing. Had the offensive production been scattered instead of Sproles doing it all -- I think Sproles SHOULD have been MVP.

 

[mad sweeney]

The last punt goes into the endzone and the Colts win. The guy boomed the ball all night.I would say the punter was the first star of the game for the Chargers, the refs were star #2 for the Chargers.

Yeah, not giving the Bolts the ball on a clear fumble at the end of the first half really helped them out. Also the PI in the first quarter for a little hand grabbing well before an uncatchable ball sailed over the Colts WR. The Chambers catch would've been overturned if Dungy challenged it but he wasted one on the sideline grab that to me didn't look like a catch but at best was too close to overturn. All the penalties in OT were spot on and even IF the whining about the refs had any merit at all they still wouldn't overcome Sproles 300+ yards for second star.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Scifres was undoubtedly the MVP of the game. The Colts were pinned deep seemingly the entire game. In fact, their average starting position was their own 16-yard line...for the whole game...counting 12 drives. That is staggering. On the flip side, the Chargers average starting position was their own 35-yard line. HUGE difference.

And, yeah, that last punt was the play of the game.

 

[cowboyz]

hence why he got placed on the trailer

 

[scott72]

I would say the punter was the first star of the game for the Chargers, the refs were star #2 for the Chargers.

 

[Sinrman]

Ok I am half serious half joking. But if a punter can ever be the MVP of a game, it would be Scifres yesterday:1. punt 51 yards to Colts 10, no return2. punt 58 yards to Colts 15, return 4 yards, net 54 yds3. punt 50 yards to Colts 3, no return4. punt 67 yards to Colts 5, return 2 yards, net 65 yds5. punt 38 yards to Colts 9, no return (this punt affected his average, but when you punt inside the 10 how can you complain?)and most important of all, in crunch time, down by 3 and punting the ball away with only 3 minutes left the Chargers needed a great punt:6. punt 52 yards to Colts 1, no returnObvious I would say Sproles was the MVP not Scifres. But that last punt was a game changer. Include that with all the previous punts and it's top notch game for a punter.

 

[mex]

I agree that the Refs helped Indy lose the game. I counted at least 17 times they could have tackled a Charger player and at least 14 times they could have knocked a pass down. Damn Refs

 

[Black]

I was thinking the same thing. In a very close game, it's a game of yards...15 yard penalty, 23 yard run, whatever. So, those extra 20-30 yards on well placed punts was unreal.

It was really a game of ball control, since the Colts couldn't run and the Bolts couldn't pass.

 

[Black]

I agree that the Refs helped Indy lose the game. I counted at least 17 times they could have tackled a Charger player and at least 14 times they could have knocked a pass down. Damn Refs

Ha Ha.Yeah, I was thinking that during that last drive, that folks would think the game was 'given' to the Chargers. But, I think the Chargers outplayed the Colts, esp on defense. The Chargers offense left two offensive touchdowns on the field due to the Sproles fumble and Rivers overthrow int. Also, one of the Colts TDs was on the flukey quick snap during the defensive substitution. That was completely on the Chargers, but flukey nonetheless.