For The Brand: Pat McAfee analyzes Texas A&M punter Braden Mann

Key notes from Pat McAfee interview

• Well the guy you have down there is incredible. Shane Lechler is definitely is the best of all time but Mann is close. He has a monster leg. You have to hit the ball differently in the league because you kick to dangerous returners like Tyreek Hill, but he won’t have any trouble with that transition.
   
• I think it’s awesome that they are calling him Braden “Piss Missile” Mann. He is really living up to that name. You don’t just stumble upon having an awesome leg, but he’s also technically sound.
   
• The Ray Guy award doesn’t mean anything. If you look around the league, guys who were absolute animals didn’t win the award. Now there doesn’t seem to be a way that the committee can mess this up but through their history they have really messed up the award. Regardless, Mann had better get ready to keep kicking and make a lot of money at the next level.
   
• In college it’s a lot different than in the NFL. Usually the special teams’ coverage isn’t that great. If you have a punter that can eliminate the return game then that lets your coaching staff sleep a little easier at night. The transition from college to the NFL is going to be really awesome to watch with Braden.
   
• Everything is about consistency and longevity in kicking. All it takes is one funk and you’re out of the league. The reason that Shane Lechler is the 'goat' is because he is consistent and he could still be kicking in the league right now!
   
• Every punt is important. The stats don’t lie. There is so much riding on every single punt that your average media head doesn’t know about. It’s basically a homerun derby, so I have a great job watching it. Saturdays and Sundays putting a spotlight on kicking for the brand has been fun.