It isn’t the sexiest of topics, but it matters. Let’s talk a little bit about field position, Cameron Johnston and how great of a job he did in year one.
It’s time to talk a little Cameron Johnston. Yes, we mean the punter. There are plenty of ways to win a football game. Perhaps the third phase of any football squad, its’ special teams unit, doesn’t always get the love it deserves unless, of course, we’re discussing Dave Fipp and what he’s done with the Philadelphia Eagles special teams unit.
Often, we rejoice over blocked field goals or punts. We do so even more for long field goals and punts and kickoffs that are returned for touchdowns. We tend to forget about one very important topic when we talk about the little things that decide games, and that’s the subject of field position.
At least we forgot about it until today. Then, the Eagles shared something about their punter on social media.
Take a look:
Single-season team records in gross punting average (48.1) and net punting average (42.7) ✔
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 9, 2019
How bout that for a first season, @Cam_Johnston?#ForTheBrand | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/h8XFyWt5YQ
Yes, controlling the trenches is important. So is ball control and winning on special teams. Typically, when we mention the latter, we do so for one reason. We want to know how efficient your kicker is and if he can come up big in the clutch. We’ll even throw in a few bonus points for a sixty-yard bomb. Isn’t that why we, as Eagles fans, love Jake Elliott so much?
Rarely, do we mention punting because, let’s be honest, the punt may be the single most boring play in football. Here’s the thing though. If your punter isn’t doing what he should, a boring play can get real exciting for the wrong reasons.
Ask any coach, and they’ll tell you. There’s nothing like flipping field position and pinning the opposing team inside their own 20 yard line.
Sure, Jake Elliott deserves all of the credit he gets, but if you haven’t been keeping up with what Cameron Johnston’s been doing, you’ve been missing a treat. We even found out that he can rock the likes of Alvin Kamara if need be.
Put it this way. Had he been stinking things up out there, you would have noticed him a lot more quickly.