Is Serving as Place Kicker and Punter Worth the Risk for Nebraska's Alex Henery?

With the graduation of Dan Titchener, the Husker coaches were in search of a starting punter for the 2009 season.

Who better to fill the role than Alex Henery? Henery originally walked onto the program as a two time 1st team all-state punter at Omaha Burke. He had averaged 41 yards per punt.

So its a no-brainer, right? Well, not exactly.

Henery is Nebraska's starting place kicker and was on the 2008 2nd team All-Big 12 team. He's the most accurate kicker in school history to this point, making 26 of 29 for his career, including 6 for 6 from 40 to 49 yards and 1 for 3 from 50 or more. He's a virtual lock to make 1st team all Big 12 in 2009.

A great field goal kicker can often mean the difference between winning and losing a game. Husker fans know that all to well from the recent list of starting place kickers prior to Henery's arrival.

In 2004, the inconsistencies of Sandro DeAngelis cost the Huskers some games and the fans a few grey hairs. In 2005 the inconsistencies and weak leg of David Dyches did the same. 

Worst of all, in 2006 when Jordan Congdon's leg was so weak that then coach Bill Callahan would almost always opt to go for it on 4th and short from any further out than the 20 yard line. 

Needless to say, the 4th down conversion success was not that great, thus costing the Huskers points. When long sustained drives to the opponents 25 or 30 yard line come up empty, your not going to win many close games, if any.

Based on Henery's success and the track record of his recent predecessors, I think its safe to say that Alex Henery is one of the most valuable players on the team.

So, If you are going to ask one of your most valuable players to do double duty and be out on the field for more plays, covering punts and risking injury. Either you have no other options or Henery is head and shoulders above the others, Right?

Let's look at some of the other options that the Huskers have and find out if that is indeed the case.

The spring game gave us a sneak peek at the depth of the position.

Henery averaged 43.2 yards on three punts. Walk on redshirt freshman Brett Maher from Kearney, Nebraska averaged 41.5 yards on 4 punts and walk on Sophomore Jonathon Damkroger averaged 47.5 yards on 2 punts.

So I ask, is that such a decrepency in performance that it is worth it to risk the health of one of the best kickers in the country by asking him to punt?

I say no. Give one of the walk ons a shot and save Alex Henery's leg for when its truly exceptional. When the game is on the line. Just ask the Colorado Buffaloes.

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