DraftSeason: First off, how important is a punter to a team?
Durant: I think a punter is very important. A good punter
can change the field position at any time and keep the
opposition pinned back. He can be considered a weapon
instead of just a punter.
DraftSeason: What is the strongest part of your game, leg strength
or accuracy?
Durant: I think accuracy. Many punters have good leg
strength but lack the ability to place the ball inside
the 20. I have worked on my accuracy over the years
and it has allowed me to place the ball inside 20 or
punt it away from a dangerous return guy with greater
consistency.
DraftSeason: In your experience, what has been the toughest weather
to punt in?
Durant: Luckily, I have had fairly good weather to punt the
ball. I would have to say the worst weather to punt in
would be cold and windy. I had to punt in Buffalo New
York when I was still at Georgia Military College and
it was horrible. It was snowing with 20 to 30 mile an
hour winds. I can handle the rain, but the cold and
wind is the most difficult.
DraftSeason: Who has been the most dynamic punt returner you have
faced?
Durant: I would have to say Eddie Royal. We would always
put in a game plan to punt away from him. We would
plan to pin him on the side line because he is such an
explosive returner. He does not like to fair catch the
punt.
DraftSeason: What did it feel like winning the Ray Guy Award, and
how much did it mean to you?
Durant: It is hard to find words to explain the feeling of
winning the award. It was so awesome to win the award
my senior year. It was also great knowing that the
hard work paid off, and I was not going to finish
runner-up again.
DraftSeason: What type of exercises do you do to strengthen your
punting leg?
Durant: I do mostly the same lifts as everyone else on the
football team. Squats, powercleans, and step-ups are
the main excercises I do. On occasion I will ride the
bike a couple of miles. I think most of my strength
came from riding horses when I was young.
DraftSeason: Do you get rattled punting the ball from your own
endzone?
Durant: Not at all, I think that is when I do my best. I
feed on the fact that the team is counting on me to
get them out of a hole.
DraftSeason: Finally Durant, how would you handle punting the ball
to a Devin Hester type player?
Durant: I would start with watching film on him seeing if
he has better returns catching the ball to his right
or to his left. I will see what direction I want to
punt the football. I would try and punt the ball to
the sidelines or even out of bounds.
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