It seems inadequate credit is given to kickers and punters. Yet, as the season progresses, special teams become the determining factor in close games. This same factor sent the New Orleans Saints to Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints have finally discovered solidity in their kicking game with Thomas Morstead, who is debatably one of the most consistent Saints this season. Few punters in the league can claim to be performing better than Morstead this season.
While players like Drew Brees and Darren Sproles dominate the SportsCenter highlights, Morstead functions far more inconspicuously. His work is being performed while fans scurry to beer runs and bathroom breaks. He is a valuable weapon in controlling field position in both the punting game and kickoffs as well. The club’s 2009 fifth round draft choice has quickly become a weapon with his strong leg and thunderous kickoffs.
A product of Southern Methodist University, he averaged 43.38 yards on 166 career punts (none of these attempts were blocked); an average which ranks third in the school’s history and earned him All-Conference USA honors. Proving to be one of college football’s diamond in the rough, Morstead lacked the media attention that other kicking specialists were receiving. But professional teams are undoubtedly now aware of his abilities. Few specialists possess the capability to be equally successful in multiple roles, but this SMU Mustang has proven that no task is too daunting.
As a result of his abilities being recognized, his Twitter following has grown to 11,300 since this past summer. In one particular tweet, he polled his followers for nickname ideas, resulting in “The Leg.”
Recently, I had the pleasure of conducting a phone interview with “The Leg”:
Jennifer Trosclair: You graduated from SMU as an Academic ALL-Conference USA player, majoring in mechanical engineering. Did you ever think there was a future for you in the NFL?
Thomas Morstead: Well, I never graduated. When I was drafted, I came to the NFL to play for the New Orleans Saints and had only two classes left to graduate. I planned to finish after my first season, but we made it to the Super Bowl. I then decided to complete the classes last spring after the second season finished, but I got hurt and had to have surgery. I am hoping at some point I will be able to finish.
But, concerning your question in regards to if I ever thought I would be in the NFL, I first gave thought about it during my second year in college.
JT: You handle not only the punting duties for the Saints but kickoff as well. Has your practices and preparations for game day changed in light of the added responsibility?
TM: Well, yeah I had never kicked off in my life until I got to the Saints. I had to learn different forms, especially because kick-offs are very hard on your body. You have to learn the right amount to put in to be fresh for game day.
JT: The pink cleats you wore in the October 23rd game against the Indianapolis Colts earned you a record nine touchbacks in a single game. Do you believe this record will ever be broken?
TM: I don’t know. I kicked off ten times, so I guess I could have had ten touchbacks. Records are made to be broken, you know. So somewhere, at some point, someone will break it.
JT: Speaking of these very same pink cleats, you are also hoping they will bring in a record amount of money to donate for breast cancer research. Can you elaborate on why the battle against breast cancer is so dear to you?
TM: My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and was fortunately able to beat it. So, it’s just something I thought I would do and the raffle for the shoe is still going on until next Monday, November 21st .
(Raffle tickets are $2 apiece, with an entry deadline of 10 a.m. CT, Monday, Nov. 21 and can be purchased at puntpink.com. Winners will receive a pair of autographed pink cleats and football that Morstead used during the Oct. 23 game against the Colts, when he set the NFL record with nine touchbacks during a single game. Additionally, they will receive a sideline pass to meet Morstead before the Nov. 28 game versus the Giants, along with two club level seats to the game. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the Acadiana and New Orleans Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.)
JT: Coach Payton and the 2009 Saints will forever be remembered for their first ever Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XLIV, especially for the gamble he took by opening the second half with an on-side kick in which you executed. What are your memories about this exceptional moment in sports history in which you played a crucial role? When did coach reveal his plan and what discussions did he have with you before kickoff?
TM: Well, there was no discussion really. He just came up to me at the beginning of half time as I was sitting at my locker and said, “Hey, we’re running an ambush to start the second half”. And that was it. For me, I was definitely having a lot of anxiety at the time, thinking of all the things that would result if I did not get this done. After I got all the negative thoughts out of my mind, I was excited to have the opportunity to make a big play in the game. Fortunately, it worked out.
JT: What do you think about all of the fanatic Saints fans? Have you settled into your third year here in New Orleans?
TM: I don’t know if I’ll ever be 100% settled in, but I definitely call this my home. I love being here and the fans are great. They appreciate everything the team has done for the city on the field, and off the field as well. The players really understand how our fans help us to win games.
JT: One thing many may not be aware of is an event you are heavily involved with – the Kohl’s Professional Camps. You have coached over 40 of these Kohl’s-led events. Can you expand on the mission of these camps?
TM: Well, there’s quite a few different missions for it. My kicking coach, Jamie Kohl, was an NFL guy himself and when he was done playing, he created these camps. He has created a career out of it and they have become very successful. One of the very thing cool things about the camps is that we come in contact with high school kids across the nation. We facilitate their development and growth for them to be the best kicker, punter, or snapper that they can become. Also, Jamie works for ESPN and rates these kickers. So, if he rates you high, chances are you are going to get scholarship offers. This is my eight year coaching at these camps which have been around for about twelve years.
JT: Some may argue that not enough credit is given to kickers or punters. Even though you guys can change the tide of a game with just one good kick, you do not receive much time in the spotlight. Tell us something about you that fans most likely do not know about you. For example, the fact that you were only 90 pounds and five feet tall in high school.
TM: Yes, that’s definitely one example. Also, in high school, I only played my senior year and I went in as a backup. I was a walk-on in college and actually made a bet with a coach that I could successfully kick a 50-yard drop field goal. I made it, and three weeks later, I was on scholarship. Also, another thing is that my parents have not missed a game in five years.
Saints and Morstead fans alike please log on to http://www.nfl.com/probowl and nominate Thomas Morstead for the 2011 Pro Bowl Ballot. Voting is also available on web-enabled phones. Balloting concludes on Monday, December 20, and teams will be announced at 4pm (ET) Tuesday, December 28 on a special NFL Total Access 2011 Pro Bowl Selection Show on the NFL Network.