I'm starting to think Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels is a bigger Dustin Colquitt fan than I am.
Speaking with reporters, McDaniels singled out Colquitt, as a major part of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday.
"Their punter is certainly one of the best, maybe of all time, and does a great job changing field position," McDaniels said according to the Colorado Springs-Gazette. "We have to do a good job trying to limit that and we can’t let them swing the whole field on one play."
Maybe of all time? Man, high praise from an opposing coach. I don't think I'd go as far to say all time....yet.
Currently, Colquitt ranks 3rd in the NFL in net punting yards. For his career he is averaging 43.9 yards per punt which is 12th among active punters and 20th all time. He usually ranks high in punts inside the 20, as well.
(Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com points out that Colquitt is second in career net punting yards average.)
Chiefs coach Todd Haley entered training camp with an emphasis on special teams. Steve Hoffman has done great work with rookie kicker Ryan Succop but it's Colquitt's leg and the Chiefs special teams coverage unit that worries McDaniels.
"This week it’s going to be huge," McDaniels said. "I don’t know if we’re going to play a team that wins field position quite the same as Kansas City does."