TSR’s Punter of the Week:
Zoltan Mesko – New England Patriots
Who is he?
Mesko’s path to a punting job in the NFL is not typical. He was born in Romania. A successful draw in a visa lottery (a one in 400 shot) allowed his parents to seek a better life in the United States when Zoltan was just 11 years old. After a brief stay in New York City, the Mesko’s settled in the town of Twinsburg, Ohio. As the story goes, Zoltan’s kickball prowess soon after his arrival in Ohio wowed observers. He kicked footballs on his high school squad and went on to be a great punter at the University of Michigan. Bill Belichick grabbed Mesko in the fifth round of the 2010 draft and he’s been solidly reliable since. Now 26 years old in his third pro season, Mesko has both a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in sports management. The relatively modest 4-year, $2 mil rookie contract signed by Mesko expires at the end of next season. At the rate he’s punting, Mesko is looking at a hefty pay raise when he becomes a free agent in 2014. His 41.5 yards per punt net was tops in the AFC last season. His 46.5 yards per gross number gave him the best season using that punter measurement in Pats team history.
The Mesko stat line vs. the Rams 10-28-12:
Two punts. 113 yards total. Avg. 56.5 yards per. 46.5 net.
The punts in detail:
1. NFL commish Roger Goodell didn’t bother to show up for his league’s annual flirtation with London. It’s probably good he didn’t. This game was a dud. The Patriots scored on each of their first six possessions which means Mesko didn’t get a chance to punt until late in the third quarter. With the outcome already settled, Zoltan stepped onto Wembley’s nicely-maintained natural grass field with 2:36 left in the third. The big Romanian wore a fanny pack strapped to his waist. Nantz and Simms called the game for CBS and exchanged laughs when Mesko finally made an appearance. “Here’s your guy,” Simms told Nantz. “You’ve been waitin’ on him.” Before receiving the snap, Mesko flicked his fingers like he was about to play a piano. Hunched forward with his right plant foot extended ahead of him for reception of the snap, Mesko crushed a 62-yard punt that bounced at the Rams four-yard-line before rolling into the end zone for a touchback. When you consider Mesko kicked the ball from his 25, the actual distance on the punt was 71 yards. It goes in the books as a 62-yarder given the line of scrimmage from where the ball was snapped. It would have been nice from Mesko’s standpoint if the ball could have been downed before reaching the end zone but it’s still a good kick. 42-yards on the net. Mesko has never had a punt returned for a TD in his NFL career. I wonder what he stores in the fanny pack?
2. Mesko’s second punt came in garbage time. Both teams had inserted backup quarterbacks at this point (Mallett for the Pats and Clemens for the Rams). With 5:24 left in the game and the Pats up 45-7, Mesko’s 51-yard punt to the STL 19 was another nice boot. A 12-yard return by Austin Pettis was called back on a hold which means Mesko’s net matched the gross. 51 and 51.
The Sound of a Punt:
Unfortunately, I couldn’t gain access to a Pats feed of the game so the S-O-P this week comes from the Rams radio team of Steve Savard and D’Marco Farr. The clip below is the call of Mesko’s first punt. It was carried on WXOS-FM (101 ESPN) in St. Louis.
The Punt-osis:
Mesko can really launch ‘em. He’s playing for an organization that values the punt and teaches effective coverage schemes. Remember, Belichick used to be a special teams coach. It’s well within reason to think Mesko will have a long career in Beantown. He’s smart, talented and involved in the community. When one looks for stories about realization of the American dream, why not consider Mesko’s incredible journey from young boy in Romania to academic and athletic success here in the U-S of A. The machine-like march of New England’s offense limits Mesko’s opportunities but he has fully capitalized when snapped the ball. He seemed to embrace the trip to London. Not everyone does. The best part of this dud of a mismatch was the amusing Gronk TD celebration mimicking the Queen’s Guard.
Next week’s Punter of the Week:
Mat McBriar – Philadelphia Eagles