By Tim Schmitt
PITTSFORD — Call it the ultimate sports study in contrast.
And considering the setting — the plush academic environment of St. John Fisher College — nothing could be more appropriate.
On the main stadium during Tuesday’s night practice, thousands of fans pack in to watch hungry gladiators fighting for their football lives. Sweat, a little blood and a marked dose of intensity keep the pack focused on 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
But just a few yards away, on the grass field that stands in the shadow of the main stadium, kicker Rian Lindell playfully bounces a football on his knee before dropping to the grass to stretch. Punter Brian Moorman lays flat on the turf, lazily stretching from side to side. And free agent kicker Nicholas Setta, his jersey and pads off, squeezes out a few push-ups between laughs with the ball boys.
Kicker camp and training camp are two very different experiences.
Lindell knows the routine. The seven-year National Football League vet swears he’d rather be in the mix, kicking field goals for hours on end. But he’s realistic about his leg’s limitations and knows kickers can only do so much before it’s counter-productive.
“If all you gave us to do was kick field goals, we’d show up on August 25,” Lindell said. “It’d be great to be out there, kicking field goals all day long and being on the field. But after a little while my leg would fall off. You’ve got be smart about it.”
Lindell, who’s heading into his fourth season with the Bills, admits the scene is an odd one. While players on the main stadium are pumped up high, the kickers need to relax and stay as loose as possible.
“You look over on the one side and there’s smoke and Metallica and it’s great,” he said. “That’s the fun of it all. I need to make it like a lazy day in April. The closest I can do is to liken it to a golf swing.
“Do you think Chris DiMarco starts ramming his head into the lockers with the music pumped high before he goes out to play a big tournament?”
Good point, said special teams coach Bobby April.
“I don’t know much about golf, I don’t play, but it seems like the same type of thing,” April said. “The less exhausting, the better. It’s such a fine skill and they need to be level-headed.”
April said it’s easier with vets like Lindell and Moorman, who’s heading into his sixth season as the team’s punter. Both are locks to retain their jobs — although Setta has been brought in during camp — and April knows his guys will get in the work necessary to be ready.
“These are guys who’ve proven their worth to the organization,” April said. “I’m expecting huge years from both of them.”
And why shouldn’t he?
A previous Pro Bowl alternate, Moorman enjoyed a tremendous season last year in leading the AFC and setting a Bills record by averaging 45.7 yards per punt. He also finished second with a 39.1-yard net average after factoring in returns.
“That’s definitely a different feeling coming into camp,” Moorman said. “I guess I’m a little more confident coming into this season and looking forward to trying to get out there and duplicating it.”
Lindell also shined, hitting 29-of-35 field goal attempts, including all three of his chances from 50 yards or more. The Washington State alum also has yet to miss a point after in three years with the team.
No pressure, Lindell insists.
“For me, I’ve got to be as relaxed as if I’m about to hit the 13th tee at Oak Hill,” he said.
“That’s what this is all about. Stay relaxed and hit the ball.”
