Punter Josh Bartel has landed in the Den.
Despite an improvement in Castillo's punting last game, the Australian native Bartel will be able to punt for placement/accuracy and bring up our net punting average in the process. This is a good signing.
He was only made expendable by hometown boy Jon Ryan wanting to sign with the Riders. I don't think they were actively seeking a replacement.
DH
Lions Additions and Cuts
Moderator: Team Captains
- Sir Purrcival
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 4621
- Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2003 11:48 am
- Location: Comox Valley
Well, one thing hopefully improved.
Tell me how long must a fan be strong? Ans. Always.
-
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 25103
- Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:13 pm
- Location: Vancouver
Would much prefer having someone who can place kick and punt. Can free up a spot for ........speed receiver ?
I see Bartel was a non-import under 2012 rules.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Bartel
What is he now under current rules? (He's not on the roster yet, and they now have A/N/G classes.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Bartel
What is he now under current rules? (He's not on the roster yet, and they now have A/N/G classes.)
- Hambone
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 8209
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:25 pm
- Location: Living in PG when not at BC Place, Grey Cup or Mazatlan.
Riders may not have been looking for a replacement but their fans sure were. They wanted him sent down the Trans-Canada Highway on the kangaroo he rode in on. His average fell off a full 3 yards from the previous year to 40.9 which I think may have been worst in the league and slightly behind Castillo's current pace.
You're as old as you've ever been and as young as you're ever going to be.
- Hambone
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 8209
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:25 pm
- Location: Living in PG when not at BC Place, Grey Cup or Mazatlan.
Had he come to the CFL this year he'd likely be a Global player. He remains considered a NAT because he qualified as an NI when he first came to the CFL. Had he joined after they went from NI/IMP to NAT/INT he probably would have been considered an INT and now American. He will remain grandfathered as a NAT as long as he keeps playing no matter how the rules evolve.BC 1988 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2019 3:29 pmI see Bartel was a non-import under 2012 rules.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Bartel
What is he now under current rules? (He's not on the roster yet, and they now have A/N/G classes.)
You're as old as you've ever been and as young as you're ever going to be.
My understanding is that he was often asked to punt to a particular place on field. He never has been a distance punter who will just kick it as far as he can. I'm not saying he's Richie Leone, or even Rob Maver, but should be an improvement on Castillo and allow him to just concentrate on field goals and kick-offs.Hambone wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2019 4:58 pmRiders may not have been looking for a replacement but their fans sure were. They wanted him sent down the Trans-Canada Highway on the kangaroo he rode in on. His average fell off a full 3 yards from the previous year to 40.9 which I think may have been worst in the league and slightly behind Castillo's current pace.
If you want it dropped inside the 10 or away from Chris Rainey, Bartel is capable of that. I'd have to look further into why his punting average was so low last year. I have to think that punting inside BC Place vs Regina might help him a bit though.
DH
Roar, You Lions, Roar
- Gridiron Ernie
- Champion
- Posts: 685
- Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 4:36 pm
- Location: within earshot of the ghosts of Empire Field
This article suggests, as I vaguely remembered, that Bartel's short-average punting had mostly to do with staying within the system then-special-teams coach Craig Dickensen and Chris Jones wanted, emphasis on hang-time and placement. https://www.riderville.com/2018/10/12/n ... r-century/ They were apparently not dissatisfied, according to Bartel. Perhaps take that with a grain of salt, but it seems plausible. I'm happy he's here - show's we're not standing pat. And we shall see how it pans out.
- Hambone
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 8209
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:25 pm
- Location: Living in PG when not at BC Place, Grey Cup or Mazatlan.
Well he had the same HC and STC for his last 3 years as a Rider and his numbers declined steadily. His average went from 45.1 (4th) in 2016 to 43.9 (7th) in 2017 to 40.9 (distant 9th 3.6 yards behind #8). His net over that same period was 35.0 (tied for 5th) in 2016, 34.9 (4th) in 2017 and 33.4 (9th) in 2018. The 45.1 in 2016 was a career high and the 43.9 in 2017 his 2nd best season. 40.9 last year was the worst of his 6 seasons. If there is truth re: the system Jones wanted the stats makes one wonder why. Then again Jones considers himself the smartest man in any room. If there was anything memorable last year from watching him it was that Rainey really struggled trying to field those Aussie style end over end kicks. Aussie footy players always let the ball drop nose down when they kick it which creates the end over end action.Gridiron Ernie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:01 pmThis article suggests, as I vaguely remembered, that Bartel's short-average punting had mostly to do with staying within the system then-special-teams coach Craig Dickensen and Chris Jones wanted, emphasis on hang-time and placement. https://www.riderville.com/2018/10/12/n ... r-century/ They were apparently not dissatisfied, according to Bartel. Perhaps take that with a grain of salt, but it seems plausible. I'm happy he's here - show's we're not standing pat. And we shall see how it pans out.
Last edited by Hambone on Wed Jul 10, 2019 7:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
You're as old as you've ever been and as young as you're ever going to be.
-
- Champion
- Posts: 963
- Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:03 pm
Would not be surprised if Hervey picks up Robinson considering his obsession with picking up ex Eskimos:
The Edmonton Eskimos have released American running back Jordan Robinson and American receiver Bryce Bobo.
Robinson played in just one game for the Esks this season, collecting 131 kickoff return yards and four punt return yards.
He joined Edmonton in 2018 and suited up in nine games. The 24-year-old tallied seven carries for 23 yards and also hauled in five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Robinson also added 209 punt return yards and 539 kickoff return yards.
Bobo joined the Esks this season and did not see any action.
The Edmonton Eskimos have released American running back Jordan Robinson and American receiver Bryce Bobo.
Robinson played in just one game for the Esks this season, collecting 131 kickoff return yards and four punt return yards.
He joined Edmonton in 2018 and suited up in nine games. The 24-year-old tallied seven carries for 23 yards and also hauled in five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Robinson also added 209 punt return yards and 539 kickoff return yards.
Bobo joined the Esks this season and did not see any action.
- Toppy Vann
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 9793
- Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:56 pm
It sounded at the signing that Jon Ryan was going to make fans forget Bartel as he can really boom them downfield and because Ryan brings them some celebrity status in his name and NFL pedigree.
It's hard to judge punters on distance alone as others note. If they want hang time and placement then that has to be judged. If you want the kick coverage out kicked it looks good but not so good when the Raineys etc take it all the way back for a TD.
Also short averages can mean they punted for a pin from short distances and if I had a dollar for every time a punt goes for a conceded single and TSN radio/tv say "that was not what they wanted here" and blah blah about how this now gives Reilly/Nichols/Mitchell/Harris field position as a result - I'd be rich.
Again in the nuances of the CFL game there is far more decision making in the long field and deep end zones about whether to punt or try a FG (the latter risking blocks like all of football but the CFL risk is a miss a long kick return so even teams who can use the 3 pts get cold feet and try a punt - and when the kicker miss hits for the single even when they could use the point, it gets noted that it is bad. NFL - none of this is even a factor as it either hits or doesn't as rarely is it run back as the posts are the back (how weird is that) and the end zones are shallow.
It's hard to judge punters on distance alone as others note. If they want hang time and placement then that has to be judged. If you want the kick coverage out kicked it looks good but not so good when the Raineys etc take it all the way back for a TD.
Also short averages can mean they punted for a pin from short distances and if I had a dollar for every time a punt goes for a conceded single and TSN radio/tv say "that was not what they wanted here" and blah blah about how this now gives Reilly/Nichols/Mitchell/Harris field position as a result - I'd be rich.
Again in the nuances of the CFL game there is far more decision making in the long field and deep end zones about whether to punt or try a FG (the latter risking blocks like all of football but the CFL risk is a miss a long kick return so even teams who can use the 3 pts get cold feet and try a punt - and when the kicker miss hits for the single even when they could use the point, it gets noted that it is bad. NFL - none of this is even a factor as it either hits or doesn't as rarely is it run back as the posts are the back (how weird is that) and the end zones are shallow.
"Ability without character will lose." - Marv Levy
- Gridiron Ernie
- Champion
- Posts: 685
- Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 4:36 pm
- Location: within earshot of the ghosts of Empire Field
I was scanning over the Leos' players lists and notice that WR Benjamin Plu (global from France) is back in the den - now newly-listed on the PR. He'd been gone, back home if I recall, and was on the so-called 'suspended' list I believe. Likely personal/family matters of some kind.
So, anyhow, given the underwhelming performances of both our wide-outs (Carter and Shaq J.) in Jarious's oh-so-frustrating system, it might be interesting to plug Mr. Plu into the offence just for a chance to see what he might do under the lights in real action.
I'm wondering if any of you training camp attendees have any takeaways re the fellow? Seems to me he was already gone home for the pre-season games, but I'll stand corrected on that point. I know changing personnel in a stagnant system isn't the fix, but I'm curious nonetheless.
So, anyhow, given the underwhelming performances of both our wide-outs (Carter and Shaq J.) in Jarious's oh-so-frustrating system, it might be interesting to plug Mr. Plu into the offence just for a chance to see what he might do under the lights in real action.
I'm wondering if any of you training camp attendees have any takeaways re the fellow? Seems to me he was already gone home for the pre-season games, but I'll stand corrected on that point. I know changing personnel in a stagnant system isn't the fix, but I'm curious nonetheless.
Plu didn't see much action in training camp before going home, and he was well down the depth chart at the slotback position now held by Jevon Cottoy.Gridiron Ernie wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2019 5:23 pmI was scanning over the Leos' players lists and notice that WR Benjamin Plu (global from France) is back in the den - now newly-listed on the PR. He'd been gone, back home if I recall, and was on the so-called 'suspended' list I believe. Likely personal/family matters of some kind.
So, anyhow, given the underwhelming performances of both our wide-outs (Carter and Shaq J.) in Jarious's oh-so-frustrating system, it might be interesting to plug Mr. Plu into the offence just for a chance to see what he might do under the lights in real action.
I'm wondering if any of you training camp attendees have any takeaways re the fellow? Seems to me he was already gone home for the pre-season games, but I'll stand corrected on that point. I know changing personnel in a stagnant system isn't the fix, but I'm curious nonetheless.
Gerardo Alvarez, who has been on the active roster each week, is the next man up at wideout. He has good hands and speed and can get open. Fernando Richarte, a wideout who caught a clutch third-down pass in preseason, is on the practice roster and would probably be the next global player to see action.
- Hambone
- Hall of Famer
- Posts: 8209
- Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:25 pm
- Location: Living in PG when not at BC Place, Grey Cup or Mazatlan.
I would rate Plu as being in the bottom half of the receivers in camp. Basically fairly average in a group of equally average recruits. He didn't look any better than those in that group nor did he look any worse. Decent hands and speed. Made some plays, had some drops. I'm thinking he did make a couple nice catches in traffic. If I recall he did have a bit of a leg up on the Mexicans in that he had played some CIS ball at McGill I think?
You're as old as you've ever been and as young as you're ever going to be.
As expected, the club has inked speedy receiver/returner Ryan Lankford, formerly of Ottawa. He was released after that gaffe against the Bombers in which he let the ball bounce and Medlock deflected it out of bounds. Otherwise, he should provide the necessary upfield speed and "quick twitch" returning the ball that we've been lacking.
DH
DH
Roar, You Lions, Roar