Simple Kicking

Reid Ferguson is the Long Snapper for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills selected him as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2016, and his first NFL season as a starter was 2017. Reid played college football at Louisiana State University after graduating from Buford High School in Buford, GA. Reid’s brother is Blake Ferguson. Blake is the Long Snapper for the Miami Dolphins, an AFC East Rival.

Making it to the NFL is hard, after speaking with Rob Roche in last week’s episode we learned the difference between getting a job vs. keeping a job. Please check out that episode here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-5-rob-roche-nfl-agent-discusses-nfl-kickers/id1521447540?i=1000486373906

In this discussion Reid illustrates how critical accuracy is, and how it comes with a wide thanklessness for the position. In fact, Jon Dorenbos (Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints) name was brought up, and it was only moments before the interview did I find out if Jon’s career and current talents.

Tom Brady is not the G.O.A.T without Adam Vinatieri. Who was the long snapper for his game winning field goals in the Super Bowls for the New England Patriots? Reid knew, Lonie Paxton. On the other hand, I did not. Long snappers are unnoticed, underappreciated, yet the most critical piece of the kicking and punting puzzle.

This episode covers topics surrounding Reid’s journey at Buford High School and LSU. He echoes the previously heard wisdom for high school snappers to NFL free agent snappers who have desires to snap in the NFL. The Chris Sailer & Chris Rubio episode is an appropriate place to hear the coaches perspective, beautifully linking that critical relationship that highlighted Reid’s college football recruiting, technical learning, and how he learned to enjoy the long snapping grind. Please check out that podcast here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-chris-sailer-chris-rubio/id1521447540?i=1000485609988

Please follow Reid:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/snapflow69

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reidferguson

You may also find the Simple Kicking Punting Tracker, or Punt tracker app on the App Store helpful in charting your kicks and punts https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-kicking/id1492643118

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Rob Roche is the President of RSR Sports. He is certified by the National Football League Players Association as a contract advisor and is authorized to negotiate with NFL Teams on behalf of professional football players that have either been drafted or signed as free agents.

Rob opened up to share stories with the Community. He exudes passion, interest, and energy which made our time together flow. The way he approached the Show is how he approaches his clients with 100% commitment.

This episode covers major topics surrounding kicking and punting in the NFL from contract negotiations to how he became an NFL agent. Topics were raised from previous episodes with other guests. For example, Rob gives his opinion on how to earn a job in the NFL vs. how to keep a job.

This is related to a discussion with Tyler Brown, Kicking Coach for the Michigan Wolverines,

Rob shares his advice to college freshman kickers who have desires to kick in the NFL. He shares how to deal with pressure similarly to the Chris Sailer & Chris Rubio episode. The key connecting idea is to enjoy yourself, and have fun kicking, punting, or long snapping.

Additionally he breaks down the important features of an NFL contract, backed by hard numbers that he has successfully won on behalf of his clients.

Over a twenty year career as an NFL agent, Rob has negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars in NFL contracts. He has negotiated record breaking contracts for clients such as:

Justin Tucker - Kicker (Baltimore Ravens, University of Texas, Westlake High School)

Josh Brown - Kicker (New York Giants, University of Nebraska, Foyil High School)

Shayne Graham* - Kicker (Cincinnati Bengals, Virginia Tech University, Pulaski High School)

Neil Rackers** - Kicker (Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, University of Illinois, Aquinas-Mercy High School

Justin Rohrwasser - Kicker (No. 159 overall pick (fifth round) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Marshall University, University of Rhode Island)

Brett Maher - Kicker (New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks, University of Nebraska, Kearney High School)

Thomas Hennessy - Long Snapper (New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Duke University, Don Bosco Preparatory High School)

Rick Lovato - Long Snapper (Philadelphia Eagles, Old Dominion, Middletown High School South)

Chase McLaughlin*** - Kicker (Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, University of Illinois, Cypress Woods High School)

Aldrick Rosas - Kicker (New York Giants, Southern Oregon, Orland High School)

Matt McCrane - Kicker (Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas State, Brownwood High School)

Dominik Eberle - Kicker (Las Vegas Raiders, Utah State, Redondo Union High School)

He also represents broadcasters such as Jordan Kent (Play-by-Play announcer for the Portland Trailblazers and Nintendo Gaming)

Additionally, Rob is a nationally recognized authority on the role of agents in the sports industry.

Finally, Rob is a Professor of Sports Management at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ and Drew University in Madison, NJ.

*Shayne is the current special teams analyst at the University of Florida & he had stints with nearly half of the teams in the NFL: New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons

**Neil Rackers also played for the Cincinnati Bengals.

***Chase also had stints with the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Chargers

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Episode 4 features Chris Sailer and Chris Rubio. Over the past 20 years, Sailer & Rubio have built a kicking, punting, and long snapping empire. Hosting camps across the country, they give instruction to kickers, punters, and long snappers. As an added bonus, there is a ranking system for specialists that is highly regarded by the top NCAA Division 1 (D-1) football coaches. Consequently, the top specialists have successful college careers. Many of them have captured the Ray Guy Award or the Lou Groza Award.

Here is a list of the NFL specialists that have been through the Chris Sailer Kicking Camps:

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens, University of Texas, Westlake High School

Dustin Hopkins, Washington Redskins, Florida State University, Clear Lake High School

Kai Forbath, Dallas Cowboys, UCLA

Nick Folk, NFL (Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, New England Patriots), Arizona,

Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings, University of Georgia

Jeff Lock, Minnesota VIkings, UCLA

Tress Way, Washington Redskins, University of Oklahoma

Bryan Anger, Houston Texans, University of California, Berkeley

Colton Schmidt, Buffalo Bills, University of California, Davis

Cody Parkey, Philadelphia Eagles, Auburn University

Matt Darr, Miami Dolphins, University of Tennessee

Bradley Pinion, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Clemson University

Reid Ferguson, Buffalo Bills, LSU, Buford High School

Blake Ferguson, Miami Dolphins, LSU, Buford High School

Ty Long, Los Angeles Chargers, University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB)

JK Scott, Green Bay Packers, University of Alabama

Elliot Fry, Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, University of South Carolina

Please comment or like below!

Sailer, Rubio and I reconnected at the Top 12 event in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and after a sweltering kicking camp, they joined me to talk about how Chris Sailer Kicking and Rubio Long Snapping began.

Please check Chris out below :

Follow @Chris_Sailer on:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chris_sailer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissailerkicking

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris_sailer

Web: https://www.ChrisSailerKicking.com

Please check Chris Rubio out below :

Follow @TheChrisRubio on:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TheChrisRubio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubiolongsnapping

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubio.longsnapping

Web: https://www.RubioLongSnapping.com

You may also find the Simple Kicking Punting Tracker, or Punt tracker app on the App Store helpful in charting your kicks and punts https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-kicking/id1492643118

Follow @SimpleKicking on:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/simplekicking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplekicking

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplekicking

Web: https://www.simplekicking.com

At the Top 12 Camp, I personally charted the kicks and punts using the Simple Kicking App. The data concluded that it was definitely the best kicking and punting talent in the country.

Cameron Little

Joe McFadden

Bert Auburn

David Kemp

Cole Becker

Joshua Bryan

Brenden Segovia

Tommy Doman

Michael Hughes

Caden Costa

Will Fowler

Carter Brown

This episode feels like a hang out with your coaches and teammates. You will hear how the best in the country prepared, how they compete, and how they deal with pressure. Additionally, if your goal is to receive a full college scholarship as a kicker, punter or long snapper - then going to one of their camps is likely a good strategy. They have a wide variety of events & relationships: #Top12, Underclassmen Invitational, Event Elite, The Punt Factory, Rising Stars, U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Polynesian Bowl, and other charting camps.

Episode 3 is really part 2 of the Austin McNamara interview. In 2019 Austin was a Freshman All-American Punter for Texas Tech. Coached by Head CoachMatt Wells & Special Teams Coordinator Mark Tommerdahl, he was also named to the 2019 All-Big12 Football team. If you’re a nerd about kicking and punting, you could find that this episode is just right for you.

Please comment or like below!

On the surface, Austin’s stats are impressive, averaging 45 yards per punt in 2019 as a true Freshman for the Red Raiders. Digging deeper into the conversation, I find it more appropriate to call it outstanding.

You may also find the Simple Kicking Punting Tracker, or Punt tracker app on the App Store helpful in charting your kicks and punts https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-kicking/id1492643118

Follow @SimpleKicking on:

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Web: https://www.simplekicking.com

The second segment goes deeper into why. Find out how Austin improves in the offseason, #HardWorkPaysOff and in specific how he manages the windy conditions in Lubbock, Texas. Jones AT&T Stadium is difficult to play in, and he knows how to punt in or with the wind. Texas Tech Football Recruiting got an amazing recruit in Austin McNamara. Who knows, maybe one day he ends up as successful as Patrick Mahomes, but he might end up being a Texas Tech football player in the NFL.

Listening to this segment will sound like listening to a professional because it goes into the weeds on how Austin approaches his daily routine. It spells out what his phrase “Hard Work Pays Off” looks like and feels like. If you think you want a college football scholarship then hearing this story might inspire you. Austin does the little things very well, which makes him have 100% confidence when he steps on the field.

Austin was named to the Freshman All-America Team on multiple outlets: USA Today Sports, 247Sports, Football Writers Association of America, The Athletic, and Pro Football Focus. He is the first Texas Tech Punter to ever be named a Freshman All American. (Put him in the same trajectory as Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs, MVP of Super Bowl LIV) He outperformed nearly all punters, averaging over 45 yards in net punting compared to the 38.82 yards in NCAA Average. Plus he played against some of the top punt returners in the NCAA. More of his impressive stats to follow because the McNamara episode is broken up into 2 segments.

For parents of high school football kickers and punters this segment may answer some of the following questions: How to get a college athletic scholarship? How do I get exposure to college football coaches, special teams coordinators, special teams QC or Analysts? Which showcases, combines, invitationals, camps should I go to? Who is the best kicking coach? Who is the best punting coach?

Austin is from Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona.

You may also find the Simple Kicking Punting Tracker, or Punt tracker app on the App Store helpful in charting your kicks and punts https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-kicking/id1492643118

Follow @SimpleKicking on:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/simplekicking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplekicking

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplekicking

Web: https://www.simplekicking.com

Austin McNamara was the starting punter for the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2019. As a true freshman, he was selected to the 2019 All-Big 12 Football First Team.

You may also find the Simple Kicking Punting Tracker, or Punt tracker app on the App Store helpful in charting your kicks and punts https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-kicking/id1492643118

Follow @SimpleKicking on:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/simplekicking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplekicking

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplekicking

Web: https://www.simplekicking.com

There were numerous 2020 NFL Draft selections on this team of stars:

- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma, No. 17 overall pick (first round) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys

- Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma, No. 23 overall pick (first round) by the Los Angeles Chargers

- Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech, No. 27 overall pick (first round) by the Seattle Seahawks

- Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU, No. 31 overall pick (first round) by the Minnesota Vikings

- Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU, No. 40 overall pick by the Houston Texans

- Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma, Alabama, No. 53 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles

- Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas Longhorns, No. 92 overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens

- James Lynch, DL, Baylor, No. 130 overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings

- Colton McKivitz, OT,West Virginia, No. 153 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers

- Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas, No. 180 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals

- Bravvion Roy, DL, Baylor, No. 184 overall pick (sixth round) by the Carolina Panthers (Coached by Head Coach Matt Rhule)

Austin was also named to the Freshman All-America Team on multiple outlets: USA Today Sports, 247Sports, Football Writers Association of America, The Athletic, and Pro Football Focus. He is the first Texas Tech Punter to ever be named a Freshman All American. (Put him in the same trajectory as Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs, MVP of Super Bowl LIV) He outperformed nearly all punters, averaging over 45 yards in net punting compared to the 38.82 yards in NCAA Average. Plus he played against some of the top punt returners in the NCAA. More of his impressive stats to follow because the McNamara episode is broken up into 2 segments.

The first segment was recorded around Father’s Day weekend and it covers how his dad, Brian McNamara, coached Austin early on, and how he aided Austin during the college football recruiting. The goal was and always has been to improve at punting. Brian talks about how hard Austin works, and shares his favorite hashtag #HardWorkPaysOff. For parents of high school football kickers and punters this segment may answer some of the following questions: How to get a college athletic scholarship? How do I get exposure to college football coaches, special teams coordinators, special teams QC or Analysts? Which showcases, combines, invitationals, camps should I go to? Who is the best kicking coach? Who is the best punting coach?

Brian did not miss a game in 2019, just as Jim Burrow did not. Jim is the father of Heisman winner, Joe Burrow, and 2019 National championship for the LSU Tigers in the College Football Playoff, and was the first overall pick in 2020 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Brian played collegiate golf at Long Beach State before earning degrees at the University of Texas and BYU. He also coached Austin at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona and guided Austin to choose his own path, serving as a wingman.

You may also find the Simple Kicking Punting Tracker, or Punt tracker app on the App Store helpful in charting your kicks and punts https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-kicking/id1492643118

Follow @SimpleKicking on:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/simplekicking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplekicking

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplekicking

Web: https://www.simplekicking.com

Tyler Brown is a Special Teams Graduate Assistant at the University of Michigan. Tyler has been surrounded by elite kickers and punters for nearly 2 decades through his father, Randy Brown. Randy is the Special Teams Coach at the Baltimore Ravens. Tyler has been by his father's side while he coached NFL placekickers like, Jason Elam, David Akers, Billy Cundiff, Justin Tucker, Wil Lutz, and the list goes on.

Tyler has learned from "The Wolfpack" which is the best specialist unit to ever be assembled in the NFL. The Wolfpack is made up of: kicker Justin Tucker, punter Sam Koch, and long snapper Morgan Cox. Tyler knows what it takes to earn a job, but also keep one, and win Championships like the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 capturing a Super Bowl.

Tyler has implemented the experience gained from his mentorship under Randy to "the Wolverines" in Ann Arbor. In 3 seasons, numerous school records have been broken by Jake Moody and Quinn Nordin. Most importantly the system is in place, working like a well oiled engine.

The inaugural episode of the Simple Kicking podcast covers the lessons Ty has learned from his specialists and he opens up on his techniques on coaching. His best advice comes on recruiting, and how kickers and punters can improve. For example, his specialists watch film on NFL kickers like Harrison Butler of the Kansas City Chiefs, and emulate their technique.