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Just what are the Claymores Playing at?

There's a weekly newspaper over here in the UK called First Down which is THE place for Football news. Steve Livingstone a sports journalist had an exclusive interview with Claymores Head Coach Jim Criner. It's a good interview filled with facts that fans are dying to hear but hidden in the middle is a section about the Claymores kicking game. So what's interesting about it you might ask? You ever heard of a team with 4 (count'em) 4 Kickers? All doing DIFFERENT JOBS? We aren't talking about back-ups here they each have a job.

But hey think about it - it sort of makes sense... I mean there's the National Kicker Gary Parker who takes the extra points (PAT) and shorter field goals (FG) (as stated in the WLAF rules I believe), that's one. Then there's the kick off expert Kari Gronroos from Finland, that's two. So far so good. Then there's the long range FG kicker Alan DeGraffenreid. You might recognise that name? Perhaps he's related to that other Alan DeGraffenreid the WR? Uh-un.... same person. So that's three. Bare with us as we reveal the final kicker. Step forward punter Spence Fischer of Miami Dolphins! Oh you cry isn't he the projected starting QB? Yup. That's the fourth.

So we have 4 kickers who play 3 different positions. One a projected starter at QB another expected to be the 3rd String WR (after Yo Murphy and National Scott Cooper). I've heard about making best use of your roster but 4 kickers ? Last year we only needed 2!

Now I'll admit it's strange but Jim Criner isn't a daft man, he's only doing what's best for the team. I'm sure that he knows what he's doing. Shame the rest of us are left in the dark!

It is a gamble. Who's going to step in for Spence if he's injured? And this brings me to a point about the use of National kickers. If there is one position that national kickers are going to adapt to it's punting. But it seems they HAVE to score points, it's in the rules. But in all this 2 roster spots are supposed to cover all these positions. NOT 4. With 43-man rosters for the season it seems in one word.... daft. Perhaps it's time the WLAF increased the rosters to 50. The extra 7 players coming from the nationals ranks. Heck have the Claymores not got an extra player on the roster with Japanese tight end NACHI ABE? Just a thought. as the season approaches. With real facts on the roster and depth chart thin on the ground, it's a tough old job if you don't have the official contacts.... but do we at Blunt Views complain? Nawh we've got an Election to win! VOTE Blunt!

Doug Adamson

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