If there’s one thing that the Las Vegas Raiders get right on a consistent basis, it’s their punting game. It begs the question, is AJ Cole the second best player on this squad?
Actually, the question is fundamentally flawed. Why? Well, because it leads to even more difficult conundrum, who’s the best player on this roster? Two names come to mind, defensive end Maxx Crosby and tight end Brock Bowers. Their impact cannot be undersold, when Crosby’s healthy, he’s arguable one of the top five pass rushers in the league. Conversely, Bowers already showed you’d make the case for him being the best at his position already, if not, he’s “1B.”
However, that’s not what we’re debating here. Who else has the same impact that Cole does on every game? You’d be hard-pressed to believe there’s any other player who replicates what he brings on Sundays. There’s a reason that the Raiders made sure to keep him around for the foreseeable future with a new four-year deal worth upwards of $16 million. We wouldn’t blame you if you felt that was a ridiculous amount for a player that just kicks the ball in the air. Nonetheless, it goes beyond that.
The numbers don’t lie for Raiders P AJ Cole…
The accolades speak for themselves and as of this season, no one on this Raiders team comes close (except maybe Crosby). We’re talking about a three-time Pro Bowler who also has two First Team All-Pro nods. Can you name anyone else that’s consistently been one of the best at his position for this long on the current Raiders? Cole’s finished in the top five for yards per punt the last four years. In fact, he was tops back in 2021 when his kicks averaged 50 yards.
If you’re wondering why all of this matters or why Cole is without a doubt the second-best player on this team, there’s one more stat to consider. Cole pinned opponents inside of their 20-yard line a whopping 27 times, that’s simply nasty. Needless to say, Cole is on the Mt. Rushmore of punters for the Silver and Black, Ray Guy is undoubtedly smiling somewhere.
*Top Photo: Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun
a whopping 27 times? Granted I love me some punting and AJ is probably my favourite Raider, but you’re feasting on the ignorance of the reader in not knowing what good punt stats are. IMHO, he had a down year. 27 is tied with 5 other punters and for 10th in the league.
Come on guy.