While teams around the league come together for practices, you have probably had one thought: What about the kickers? (Okay, you probably didn’t have that thought.)
John Carney, who has bounced between player and coach of late, has them covered. At a soccer field in Carlsbad, California, the 22-year-veteran oversees a loose practice for specialists around the league.
Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger writes that Jets punter Steve Weatherford, Jets kicker Nick Folk, Jets kicker Nick Novak, Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding, Cowboys punter Mat McBriar, and Packers punter Tim Masthay are among the folks that have come out this offseason.
The specialists share techniques and workout methods unique to their positions. They find fields around the San Diego area, and then head to a first-class gym. In Carney’s garage. (He includes a photograph of Arnold Schwarzenegger on the wall.)
“He does a lot for specialists all over,” Folk said. “It’s great to work out at team facilities, but when you get 80-plus players in there, you can’t personalize to each position. Not only kicking-wise, but workout-wise, it’s beneficial to be down there.”
Unfortunately, we have a feeling that player-run practices like Carney’s kicking extravaganza will be the only practices we’ll hear about it in a while.