I know I have written about Kickers before, and honestly, I'd love not to write about them anymore. When on Sunday Kickers break a record for the most extra points MISSED, it sort of warrants another discussion.
Seriously you had one job, and you can change the entire outcome of the game. A made extra point means you don't need to gamble for a 2-point conversion, and you put pressure on the opposition. Kickers use to make their money from kicking a 20 yard FG with ease, now that it's pushed back to 33 yards FG is it truly that much more challenging?
Coaches expect once your offense just drove the length of the field your Kicker to come out there and put up the chip shot. I'm not here to say a 33 yard FG anyone can make, but I am saying anyone that is getting paid muti-millions of dollars to put the ball through approximately 18 feet of wide open area in between those bright yellow crossbars.
I questioned Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin on why he chooses to go for so many 2-point conversions, but with the way these NFL Kickers are missing, maybe more Head Coaches look to do the same. Kids if you're reading this and you want to be successful learn to kick a 33 yard FG, and master that skill. It seems many NFL teams next year will be in the market for a leg to just give them that free point that literally could be the difference in a Win or Lose.
Come on Kickers get your legs right. Your not reading Defenses, you barely have to tackle, and if you get hit while kicking your team gets the ball back. You're the most protected player out there. Earn your pay Kickers.
Predictions-
Vikings over Lions
Cowboys over Redskins
Steelers over Colts
Titans over Bears
Bills over Jags
Ravens over Bengals
Falcons over Cardinals
Giants over Browns
Saints over Rams
Dolphins over 49ers (H)
Chargers over Texans
Seahawks over Bucs
Raiders over Panthers
Patriots over Jets
Chiefs over Broncos
Packers over Eagles
Leader Board
Jordan-44
Kevin-44
Nate-39
Johnse-31
Samantha-7
Vikings over Lions
ReplyDeleteCowboys over Redskins
Steelers over Colts
Titans over Bears
Bills over Jags
Ravens over Bengals
Falcons over Cardinals
Giants over Browns
Saints over Rams
Dolphins over 49ers
Chargers over Texans
Seahawks over Bucs (H)
Panthers over Raiders
Patriots over Jets
Chiefs over Broncos
Eagles over Packers
Kickers. Poor guys, so overlooked, but when you have a bad one, it shows. I've long been for kickers to have a more expanded role. I love the extra distance on XP. I played soccer for 20 years, I can consistently kick a 30 yard field goal with ease over and over. I've hit 15 in one standing before from 30. Now mind you, its not that difficult with nobody charging me. But these guys make hundreds of thousands to millions to do it well. Making extra points from 33 is not a bad thing. I'm just surprised as you at the rate their missing from that distance. Maybe I should try out for Cincinnati...
All of this kicker talk lends even more credence that my idea of tie breaker is a great one. Each team takes turns kicking, and they start from 30 yards, and the other team gets to match, if they both hit or don't get blocked, move it back to 35, and so on. Sooner or later, someone is missing. There wouldn't be no more ties. And for once, the name "FOOT-ball" is earned.
Hey Jordan, I'm more and more on your side for this tie breaker. If they struggle just for an extra point, I can't imagine the drinking games that could come from a faceoff style tie breaker.
DeleteNot saying that it's excuseable, but in all reality that job got roughly 65% harder than they were used to it being. When you think you added 13 yds onto a 20 yd job. I'm sure a comparable sports issue would be when international basketball players come to the NBA and the 3pt line is farther out.
ReplyDeleteMy Picks:
Lions over Vikings
Redskins over Cowboys
Colts over Steelers
Titans over Bears
Bills over Jags (H)
Ravens over Bengals
Falcons over Cardinals
Giants over Browns
Saints over Rams
Dolphins over 49ers
Chargers over Texans
Seahawks over Bucs
Raiders over Panthers
Patriots over Jets
Chiefs over Broncos
Eagles over Packers
Fair point Nate. However, these Kickers were looked and expected to make a 33 yard FG, for 3 points. So they should be able to launch a 33 Extra point. Thanks for coming back and adding your picks
DeleteNo I get it but I'm just saying they're having to do it now with a frequency they weren't used to before. Not an excuse but still...
DeleteAlso I'd like to change one of my picks to Steelers over Colts