So Brandon Coutu missed two field goals which would have prevented overtime, including a last-second three-pointer that would have won the game. What a jackass, right? Bring in Andy Bailey, right? Not so fast. Here are three reasons why Brandon Coutu did not have a bad game, including one reason why it was actually a GOOD game.
1) Length. Coutu missed a 55-yarder and a 47-yarder. I don't care what kind of leg any kid has, you can't expect him to make every single one of those. Even John Kasay sometimes has problems for my beloved Panthers kicking long ones, and he's Mr. Automatic. Plus the would-be game-winner was from the wrong hash for Coutu, which affects any kicker's accuracy.
2) Weather. In both instances Coutu was kicking against the wind. Announcers surmised that he was overcompensating for the wind when he missed the 47-yarder with :03 left.
3) And here's why he had a good game: he NEVER misses. To miss two in one game...well, a lot of people would think that it's a sign that his game is off, but here's how I take it: thank God he got those two misses out of the way in the same game, a game that we won! So now his misses are over, and knowing Brandon he'll work his TAIL off in preparation for Ole Miss this week, because did you see him on the sidelines after he missed? He was absolutely revolted with himself. No coach could have yelled at him -- even if it was warranted, which it was not -- any worse than he was yelling at himself. He's going to make sure that he makes a 65- or 70-yarder in practice this week, because like any Dawg he wants redemption.
So that's my preemptive strike against anyone worried about Brandon Coutu. Don't worry about him. He's a Georgia placekicker. Besides Andy Bailey -- who is from TENNESSEE -- name the last bad placekicker we had. See? Tough, isn't it?
GO DAWGS!!!
Red and Black, Win or Lose
