Wednesday, I had the pleasure of chatting with Thomas Morstead, our punting phenom. Morstead, a rookie from Pearland, Texas was voted Special Teams Player of the Week during week 11 in the Saints game against Tampa Bay. For the season, he is tied for third in the NFL with 18 touchbacks.
MS: You have impressed many with your ability to tackle. Where did you get that from? And, do you like that contact? Does that have anything to do with playing rugby with your cousins in England?
TM: I am probably more aggressive, but I'm probably one of the worst athletes on the field. I'm a big guy and not over-matched [physically] by anyone on the field. It's the fast guys and not big guys who like the contact. I like to get physical, but at times, I have to tell myself to lay off. Also, folks have kind of blown the rugby thing out of proportion. I like rugby and played it with my cousins. That's about it.
MS: In your career at SMU, you averaged 43.38 yards per punt and downed 58 inside the 20. That average ranks third in school history and sixth all time in Conference USA. Yet, you are pretty impressive with kicking as well with your 78 consecutive extra points made that set a school record. Do you prefer punting to kicking?
TM: I have always been a punter and I've always been very good at it. It's a lot more difficult than kicking. There are a lot more variables like the kicking the ball as its dropping in the air.
My objective has changed since joining the Saints. The team doesn't want me to kick it really far; it's more important to be high.
MS: You spoke to me a little earlier today about Frank Gansz and I would like to follow up a little on him and his influence on you.
TM: June Jones at the beginning of my junior year at SMU called me into the office and told me, "I made you some money today." I didn't know what he was talking about and then he told me that he had hired Frank Gansz, who I have never heard of. Jones then said that he is the greatest special teams coach in the history of football, period. He also told me that I would never have as much fun playing as I would playing for him. And, he was right. It was a great experience.
Frank Gansz died the day after the draft from complications from surgery. His death was the first real loss in my life. I only knew him for a year, but what a profound experience. His whole family will be attending the game this weekend. This is going to be a pretty special game against Atlanta.
MS: When you were drafted, many criticized Coach Payton for trading up to get you. How did you feel about that and did you read the press coverage regarding it.
TM: I pretty much do the opposite of what most coaches advise. I read all of it and I try to make both the positive and the negative motivate me. And, I loved reading it all [coverage regarding his pick as a Saint]. It drummed up a lot attention. And, it was nice to know that people cared about their football that much. On the first day of rookie camp, the media wanted to get their hands on me first. I knew I had something to prove and had a chip on my shoulder. That was good for me.
MS: I read recently that you said that if in a pinch you could make long field goals. Do you still feel that way about kicking field goals? If the team asked you to perform in this position, would you be comfortable in doing that?
TM: We work on it in practice and since John [Carney] had been the kicker, I was not needed. Garrett Hartley has a pretty good leg as well. Yet, I'll be ready if they call my name.
(This article is cross-published at www.chicksinthehuddle.com)