Chiefs’ Dave Toub Struggles to Explain Harrison Butker’s Missed Kicks
The Kansas City Chiefs have recently turned around their season after a dismal 0-2 start. They have now achieved a two-game winning streak. Despite this progress, concerns still linger regarding the performance of placekicker Harrison Butker. He has struggled with missed kicks, failing to convert at least one attempt in each of the team’s four games this season.
Harrison Butker’s Struggles
Harrison Butker has missed several important kicks, including field goals from distances of 40, 56, and 58 yards. Additionally, he has failed on two extra-point attempts, one of which was from 48 yards due to a penalty incurred by his teammates. Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub acknowledges the difficulties Butker is facing. “We’re going to keep working,” he stated in a recent press conference.
Focus on Improvement
Despite Butker’s ongoing challenges, Toub highlighted some positive aspects of his performance. “He made three out of four field goals on Sunday. He made all his extra points, totaling 13 points for the team,” he explained. Toub also recognized that Butker is going through an unusual slump. “I haven’t had somebody go through something like this over a period of three or four weeks,” he noted.
Team Dynamics Affecting Performance
Toub reminded everyone that successful placekicking involves the entire team. During the Week 4 game, poor blocking was a factor in Butker’s missed 56-yard attempt. “There was a lot of pressure on that kick,” Toub recalled. “Our blocking wasn’t great, and that adds to the difficulty.” He emphasized the need for a collective effort in overcoming these struggles.
Season Changes and Their Impact
This season, the NFL introduced new kickoff rules aimed at reducing touchbacks. If a kickoff does not land in the designated area, the receiving team starts at the 35-yard line instead of the 30. Last year, Kansas City boasted a touchback percentage of 67%, but this season it has drastically fallen to just 13%. This rule change has altered how Butker approaches his kickoffs.
Balancing Kickoff and Field Goal Performance
Toub expressed concern about whether the adjustment in kickoff strategy is affecting Butker’s field goal accuracy. “It’s something we have thought about,” said Toub. “How much time we spend on kickoffs versus field goals.” He explained that Butker dedicates significant time to both aspects of his game, but emphasized the importance of maintaining effectiveness in both areas.
As the season progresses, Toub remains hopeful that Butker will regain his consistency. “We need to get a game where he has a clean performance,” Toub said. “Then we can build from there.” The Chiefs aim to support Butker as he navigates through this challenging period.
