Cowboys Prepare to Face “Hekker” of a Legend on Saturday
Prognosticators love to compare NFL teams unit-by-unit and grade out “advantage” vs “slight advantage” or “push” for each one. But there’s at least one position at which the Dallas Cowboys cannot be graded above the L.A. Rams on Saturday, and that’s punter.
Johnny Hekker is the punter for the Mountain Goats, and he’s our generation’s closest thing to Ray Guy. Rams supporters from St. Louis and SoCal alike have marveled at Hekker’s brilliance on 4th down. He’s just the punter – but he’s a game-changer too.
From an opposing head coach POV, the veteran is a nightmare that can be described as follows.
Suppose you’re coaching against the Rams and tell the team at halftime, “alright, let’s get them stopped right after the touchback. Then we’ll get good field position, and go down and score.” When the 3rd quarter begins, you get the exact scenario you were hoping for as the defense forces a quick 3-and-out. Maybe even a sack for lost yardage. The Rams have to give up the ball from the shadow of their own end zone.
Then Hekker comes in the game. He punts it 73 yards. Out of bounds.
NFL coaches have always planned to “coffin-corner” or “pooch” punt from midfield when the opportunity arises. But with Johnny Hekker in his pocket, L.A. coach Sean McVay has the ability to call a coffin-corner punt from almost anywhere.
Dak Prescott may lead the Cowboys to victory on Saturday, but unless the defense forces turnovers, he’s not likely to do it on a short field.
The 28-year-old Hekker has crazy punting stats to his credit. In 2016 he broke his own record with a 46-yard season average, and downed 51 efforts inside the 20. The Australian innovator has also adapted the Aussie banana punt into his American gridiron arsenal, a devilish curling kick considered too risky for ordinary NFL punters to attempt.
