I have to do this -- it's my pet peeve -- but "inside the 20" is an antiquated stat that should be replaced. When you are punting at midfield and the receiving team fair catches the ball at the 18, you have failed as a punter. Special teams coaches will tell you the aim is generally the 10 yard line. Punters almost never "coffin corner" anymore, so it is all about hitting that sweet spot where the ball does not go in the end zone, yet you have pinned the opponent. Punt returners used to be told never to fair catch a ball inside the 10. Today you see, depending on the situation, plenty of fair catches at the 7,8, and 9 yard lines. Consider this. Punter A has 4 punts, they are downed at the 18, 17, 16 and 15 yard lines. He is a perfect 4/4 on "inside the 20". Average field position is the 16.5 yard line. Punter B has 4 punts -- two go in the end zone for touchbacks. One is fair caught at the 8 yard line, the second is downed at the 2. He is 2/4 "inside the 20", average field position is 12.5 yard line. Which would you rather have?
This is no knock on Wright -- just generally disgusted with punters being celebrated for "inside the 20" when their punts are routinely fair caught between the 15 and 20 yard lines. The difference between the 15 and the 20 (touchback) is negligible; the difference between the 15 and inside the 10 can be huge, particularly if you get inside the 5, where the offense risks holding in the end zone, a sack or a stuff potentially producing a safety. Inside the 5 and perhaps inside the 10, the offense is feeling limited; between the 10 and the 20 the whole playbook is open.
Bottom line, I'll take a few touchbacks in exchange for a few "inside the 10" punts.
