Jeremy Crawshaw, the Denver Broncos’ promising punter, has quickly made a name for himself with his booming punts that consistently flip field position and energize the team’s special teams unit. Since joining the Broncos, Crawshaw has demonstrated a powerful leg and the ability to pin opponents deep in their territory, a skill highly valued in the strategic chess match of NFL games. His booming punts have not only impressed fans but have also caught the attention of coaches and analysts who see in him a punter with significant upside. However, despite the obvious strength and distance Crawshaw brings to his punts, Broncos head coach Sean Payton has been candid about one particular area where he wants to see improvement from the young specialist. Payton’s comments reveal that while distance is crucial, punting is a nuanced art that involves much more than sheer power.
Punting in football is often underappreciated, yet it plays a pivotal role in controlling the game’s momentum. The ability to kick the ball deep into the opponent’s territory can drastically affect field position, putting pressure on the opposing offense and helping the defense to perform with better leverage. For a team like the Broncos, who have historically valued strong defense and strategic special teams, having a punter who can boom the ball long distances is a significant advantage. Jeremy Crawshaw fits this mold perfectly with his powerful leg and consistent ability to send the ball soaring downfield.
Crawshaw’s punting style is marked by a high velocity and long hang time, which often gives his coverage team enough time to get downfield and limit the return yards. This dual benefit of distance and hang time makes his punts especially valuable. Yet, as Sean Payton has pointed out, there is an additional layer to punting that can elevate a punter from good to great: precision and placement. In other words, it’s not just about how far you can punt the ball, but also about where you can land it.
Sean Payton, a coach known for his attention to detail and strategic mindset, has emphasized that Jeremy Crawshaw needs to focus on improving his directional punting and ball placement inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, commonly referred to as “coffin corner” punts. These punts are designed to limit the returner’s options and pin opponents back close to their own end zone without risking a touchback, which would result in the ball being placed at the 20-yard line, negating much of the field position advantage. Mastering this skill requires a delicate touch and remarkable control, as the punter must be able to direct the ball with precision while maintaining adequate hang time.
Improvement in this area is critical because booming punts, while exciting and useful, can sometimes backfire if they result in touchbacks or poor placement, giving the opposing team a better starting field position than intended. This is a common challenge for punters who rely heavily on leg strength but have not yet perfected the subtleties of directional punting and controlling the bounce of the ball after it lands. Sean Payton’s insistence on this refinement underscores a broader philosophy that special teams play is a game of inches and seconds — every yard gained or lost can shift the momentum of the game.
For Jeremy Crawshaw, the path to becoming a complete punter lies in balancing his natural power with refined technique. Working on directional punting drills, learning to angle his punts to take advantage of the sidelines, and improving the consistency of his hang time are all areas where he can make significant strides. This kind of improvement often comes with experience and targeted coaching, and Sean Payton’s track record of developing players suggests that Crawshaw is in good hands.
Moreover, the Broncos’ coaching staff is likely encouraging Crawshaw to develop a diverse punting arsenal. Beyond just booming long punts and coffin corner punts, the ability to execute quick kicks, rugby-style punts, or pooch punts when the situation demands can add unpredictability and tactical flexibility to the Broncos’ special teams. These variations force opposing teams to adjust their return strategies, adding another layer of advantage for Denver.
From the player’s perspective, Jeremy Crawshaw has expressed eagerness to take Sean Payton’s feedback seriously and incorporate it into his routine. He understands that being a punter in the NFL means constantly evolving and fine-tuning skills, especially since punters often operate in high-pressure situations where a single misstep can dramatically affect the game’s outcome. Crawshaw’s willingness to learn and improve is a promising sign that he can meet Payton’s expectations and become a cornerstone of the Broncos’ special teams unit.
The impact of special teams cannot be overstated in the NFL. Often the difference between a win and a loss comes down to which team controls field position better. Coaches like Sean Payton appreciate that, and that is why they focus not only on the spectacle of booming punts but also on the strategic importance of placement and precision. For Denver, having a punter who can both boom the ball downfield and expertly place it within the opponent’s territory gives them a competitive edge. It reduces the pressure on their defense and increases the chances of forcing turnovers or defensive stops.
Historically, the Broncos have valued punters who could do more than just kick the ball far. Players like Riley Dixon, who previously held the punting duties for Denver, were known for their consistency and smart punting strategies rather than just raw power. Jeremy Crawshaw is stepping into this role with the potential to bring even more to the position thanks to his powerful leg, but the transition to becoming a complete punter requires embracing the nuances of placement that Sean Payton has highlighted.
The lessons Crawshaw is learning are reflective of a larger trend in the NFL where punters are expected to be versatile and technically skilled athletes. The evolution of special teams play demands punters who can adapt quickly to different game situations, weather conditions, and opposing return schemes. The ability to hit a booming punt in one instance and then flawlessly execute a precise, low-hanging punt that lands just inside the 10-yard line the next is what separates the good punters from the elite.
Crawshaw’s journey also underscores the importance of coaching in player development. Sean Payton, known for his offensive genius, also understands that games are won and lost in all three phases—offense, defense, and special teams. By pushing Crawshaw to improve in areas beyond just raw power, Payton is investing in a well-rounded player who can contribute more consistently to the team’s overall success.
Fans of the Broncos have already enjoyed seeing Jeremy Crawshaw’s booming punts electrify the stadium and shift momentum. However, the true mark of his future success will be measured not only by how far he can kick but also by how well he can control the ball’s placement under pressure. Sean Payton’s guidance sets a clear path for Crawshaw’s growth: become a punter who can combine distance with precision, thereby maximizing the strategic value of every punt.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to watch how Crawshaw adapts to this challenge. His raw talent is undeniable, but the NFL punting position demands much more than that. It requires a keen sense of field awareness, consistency in execution, and the ability to handle pressure moments that can determine the flow of the game. If Jeremy Crawshaw embraces Sean Payton’s feedback and dedicates himself to improving his directional punting and ball placement, he has the potential to not only be the Broncos’ long-term punter but also to emerge as one of the league’s top specialists.
