2007 All-seasons K news (1 Viewer)

[Mike Herman]

Mike,Keogel Koegel....something like that Punter from "small school" with incredible ability to place the ball.Yeah it's after the draft and I'm still catching up but...did he land anywhere?IF the stuff on him is real and not hype, that's such a "lost art" I'd figure he could find a job in the NFL wouldn't you?thought?

Christian Koegel, Massachusetts... wasn't drafted, but will likely end up in some teams camp.

think he's got a good shot at making an NFL team?

I don't know enough about him to give you an informed answer. If he factors into some exciting preseason kicker drama, i.e. due to kickoffs and/or holding, I'll probably pay closer attention.

 

[Mike Herman]

Undrafted Kicker Signings

Baltimore - James Wilhoit, Tennessee (potential kickoff specialist)

Buffalo - Chris Jackson, LSU (punter / potential kickoff specialist)

Carolina - Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan

Denver - Brandon Pace, Virginia Tech

Detroit - Kenny Byrd, New Mexico

New Orleans - Brett Bergstrom, Eastern Washington

NY Jets - Brian Wingert, Northern Iowa

St. Louis - Kevin Lovell, Cincinnati

Tampa Bay - Garrett Rivas, Michigan (unconfirmed)

Tennessee - John Vaughn, Auburn

 

[Mike Herman]

ATLANTA

As expected...

Atlanta plans to bring in some veteran placekickers in the next two weeks to compete with Aaron Elling.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

WASHINGTON

The Redskins signed free-agent kicker Tyler Fredrickson, who was released before the 2004 season by Seattle and also spent time in training camps with Denver and Dallas.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

CAROLINA

Andrew Wellock may never have a more whirlwind weekend. The kicker from Green High School got married Saturday, graduated from Eastern Michigan University on Sunday and a few hours later agreed to terms on a rookie free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. "I called him with an update and he said, 'I'm walking on stage to get my diploma,' '' said Wellock's agent, Paul Sheehy. Sheehy said Wellock had four offers and chose the Panthers, where incumbent John Kasay is starting his 17th season.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

NY Jets

Brian Wingert, a first-team all-league kicker, went 17-for-23 on field goal attempts, 38 of 39 on PATs and put 39 of his 64 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. He also became UNI's all-time leading scorer with 331 career points and finished with 60 career field goals. Wingert said the Jets plan to bring at least two new kickers to mini-camp next week. Whoever shows best during those workouts will remain with the team through summer camp and at least into the preseason.

The Jets have an outstanding kicker in Mike Nugent, a two-year veteran from Ohio State who was the club's second-round draft pick in 2005. Nugent is 46-for-55 in career NFL field goal attempts, including a 24-for-27 performance last season when he made 18 straight.

"They were the earliest team that had talked to me, and they had been in contact basically throughout," said Wingert. "It's a good opportunity. They said they'll probably keep one guy in camp to use as a camp leg and maybe to try out as a kickoff specialist. "I feel confident I can show them something."

link

 

[Mike Herman]

SEATTLE

The Seahawks will have Mr. Clutch for at least another year and likely longer, with kicker Josh Brown signing his one-year franchise tender Tuesday. Brown, who enters his fifth NFL season, is expected to report to the team's mandatory minicamp this weekend. He will make $2.078 million in base salary in 2007, almost three times what his salary was last season.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

As anticipated following the drafting of Folk, the Cowboys released Carlos Martinez.

UNDRAFTED ROOKIE

Kickoff specialist Matt Clark (Auburn) will work with the Browns this weekend and the Jets next weekend.

 

[Mike Herman]

NY GIANTS

Had Billy Cundiff in for a visit yesterday.

The source said none of the players were offered contracts and were told the team probably won't be signing any veterans until after rookie minicamp (next Friday through Sunday).

linkGREEN BAY

Dave Rayner was vacationing in the Dominican Republic when the Packers selected Colorado kicker Mason Crosby in the sixth round. When contacted about the move, Rayner said, "Oh, OK."

"That was about it," said the kicker's agent, Paul Sheehy. "I know a lot of people think it's a big issue, but in my experience competition makes everybody better. Dave is not afraid of competition."

link

 

[Mike Herman]

ATLANTA

Free agent place-kicker Billy Cundiff was impressive in his workout with the Falcons on Friday morning and was offered a contract, according to his agent, Paul Sheehy. Cundiff also had a good workout with the Giants on Thursday and is weighing an offer from New York as well.

If the Falcons don't reach an agreement with Cundiff, they are expected to focus on former New Orleans kicker John Carney. They also haven't ruled out re-signing Morten Anderson. Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay said after the draft that the team wanted to address its place-kicking situation by signing a veteran.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

ATLANTA

After visiting with the Giants and Falcons this week, free-agent kicker Billy Cundiff opted Friday to sign a one-year deal with Atlanta. Part of the reason cundiff picked the Falcons is the conditions in which he will be kicking. Atlanta will play 12 games indoors in 2007, with road games in Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina. The Giants post-Thanksgiving schedule includes three games in the Meadowlands, and games at Buffalo, at Philadelphia, and at Chicago. For a kicker on a one-year deal, Cundiff felt that Atlanta made more sense.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

BUFFALO

Bills to Re-Sign Kicker Steve Christie?

Fear not Bills fans, the 40-year-old Steve Christie is not planning an NFL comeback and Rian Lindell's job is in no way in jeopardy. However, there is a growing possibility that the greatest kicker in Buffalo history could sign a one-day contract and retire a Bill. That is, of course, if he decides not to play a year in the CFL -- something that he says has a "30% chance" of happening. "I've talked to (Bills general manager) Marv Levy about it, and he's fine with it," Christie says. "I'm just going to wait until that CFL door is completely closed."

link

 

[Mike Herman]

SEATTLE

Signed Tyler Jones, who was with Washington last preseason.

 

[Mike Herman]

SEATTLE

Josh Brown could complain about being the Seattle Seahawks' franchise player. He could whine about not yet getting a long-term deal. He could treat the franchise tag as his sworn enemy, standard fare for NFL free agents in his position. Instead, the kicker asks a real-world question: "Where else am I going to go at the age of 28 and somebody is going to guarantee me $2 million? Nowhere."

The Seahawks have used the franchise designation five other times since 1999: once for Joey Galloway, three times for Walter Jones and once for Shaun Alexander. Brown, a small-town guy from Foyil, Okla., doesn't mind joining that list. "I take it as a honor and a privilege," he said. "There are negative connotations as far as long-term deals and what-not, but the fact is, it's guaranteed money."

NFL teams can designate one unrestricted free agent per year as a franchise player. The player receivers a one-year offer worth the average of the top five NFL salaries at his position. The player can sign the offer, at which point the money is guaranteed, or he can solicit offers within strict guidelines. Brown signed his $2.078 million franchise offer last week. Had he signed with another team, the Seahawks could have matched or received two first-round draft choices, a price considered prohibitive.

The Seahawks have said they'll continue to work toward a multiyear deal. They made Brown the third kicker in league history to achieve franchise status. Adam Vinatieri and the player Brown described as his hero, Jason Elam, were the others.

Brown set a career high with 12 touchbacks last season, speeding up his mechanics to drive the ball further, at some expense to hang time. He also made four game-winning field goals in the final minute, tying a league record.

He was playing for a new contract then, and now. "I still have lots to prove," he said.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

INDIANAPOLIS

NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri and the state Department of Game, Fish and Parks have reached agreement on his residency status when applying for a hunting license. The GF&P says the Rapid City native will voluntarily forfeit his accrued preference points for big game hunting licenses and will obtain nonresident hunting and fishing licenses in the future. Vinatieri had applied as a state resident for big-game hunting licenses that are reserved only for South Dakotans and are awarded in a drawing. The department then began reviewing whether he qualifies as a South Dakota resident. He plays for the Indianapolis Colts and owns homes outside Rapid City and in Indiana and Florida.

LINK

 

[Mike Herman]

news on the other guys that assist the kickers...

BALTIMORE

The Ravens continued to build their roster on the heels of the first rookie camp, re-signing three exclusive rights free agents within the span of a week. Long-snapper Matt Katula, offensive tackle Mike Kracalik and linebacker Mike Smith all fell under the exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) category, which limits their negotiating power with other clubs. ERFAs have two or fewer years of experience with their original team, which owns the rights to the player provided it makes a minimum qualifying offer based on tenure.

Katula joined the Ravens as a rookie free agent in 2005, shoring up the long-snapper position with a strong showing in his first training camp. Last season, Katula saw action in all 16 games for the second-consecutive year, snapping for all 37 extra points, 30 field goal attempts and 86 punts. He was an integral part in kicker Matt Stover's perfect PAT record (37-of-37) and 93.3 field goal percentage (28-of-30).

linkPHILADELPHIA

Six weeks ago, Saverio Rocca boarded an airplane in Australia to continue his quest to become an NFL punter with the Eagles. Chances are, you have not heard of Sav Rocca unless you happen to be a fan of Australian Rules Football. He was a star player for 15 years for the Collingwood Magpies (1992-99) and the North Melbourne Kangeroos (2000-06), during which he recorded 748 goals in 257 games. Followers of the Australian Football League and the NFL say Rocca was the equivalent in stature in Australia of Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre in the United States. He was so popular over there that a fan placed a farewell tribute to him on YouTube.

Sources say the Eagles have been impressed so far. The word is that he has had a big leg in his workouts. Reportedly, the hang time on his punts has been clocked at 5.4 seconds, which is well above the 4.5 range that is generally considered adequate. Moreover, sources indicated that Rocca is progressing well in his effort to learn to be the holder for David Akers, a job that for years had been held down by backup quarterback Koy Detmer. When Detmer was cut last summer, the job was inherited by Johnson, who did not especially excel at it. Detmer was re-signed last year as the holder for the playoffs.

So what have the Eagles told Rocca? "Two or three weeks ago, they said I was 50-50," he says. "Hopefully, if I keep working hard and keep learning, I can get that to 70-30 in my favor. The bottom line is that there are no guarantees."

link

 

[Mike Herman]

PITTSBURGH

Placekicker Jeff Reed was rewarded for his persistence with a new apparatus that simulates a goal post with a crossbar matching Arena Football dimensions. "It's nine feet instead of 18," Reed explained. "I've asked for it the last two years. But Coach Cowher wasn't a big fan of the idea."

linkNFL EUROPA

Indeed, on the game-defining play, Chris Barclay's 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, Barclay ran by one tackler, bulled out of the grasp of two more, and of course evaded the kicker. It was a rough day all around for Nick Novak, who also hooked wide a game-tying 38-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds left.

With kicker Connor Hughes on IR, Mark Brubaker has flown in to handle the kicking chores. Brubaker was cut in Centurions camp, when Cologne decided to stick with Nick Novak.

link

 

[DawnBTVS]

*will be following the Rocca feel good story* Thanks, Herman

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

After the Tony Romo-botched hold debacle in Seattle on Jan. 6, it became readily apparent the Cowboys were on the lookout for a new holder on placekicks. Romo was the team's starting quarterback now, after all.

Now punter Mat McBriar seems to be getting the first crack at replacing Romo. McBriar worked with kickers Martin Gramatica and rookie Nick Folk in Saturday's morning practice, taking snaps from L.P. Ladouceur. McBriar began his Cowboys career as the holder, but was replaced by Bill Parcells after just one mistake against Minnesota in the 2004 season-opener. "I've definitely got my hand up, to hold," McBriar said. "I've only got limited experience in games, but it's something I want to do - something I work on with the kickers. It looks like I'm getting a fair shot at it. McBriar notched his first Pro Bowl appearance last season, averaging 48.2-yards per punt. After re-signing with the Cowboys in the off-season, a pay raise could mean more responsibilities for the Aussie. "It's an important job - for Martin and Nick," McBriar said. "They need a good holder. I want to be the best holder I can be for them, as well as for the team."

The Cowboys also might look at backup quarterback Brad Johnson as a potential holder, too. The only thing that seems certain is that Romo won't be holding, and he acknowledged that Saturday when asked he would be holding this year. Romo said he wasn't sure, but knew it wouldn't be him. And evidently he's right, since Phillips referred to him Saturday as "the former holder."

linkNY GIANTS

Free-agent kicker Josh Huston dressed, but did not participate in yesterday's practice because he is still recovering from an emergency appendectomy earlier in the week.

linkKANSAS CITY

from rookie camp report

Kicker Justin Medlock has probably the strongest leg I’ve seen in quite some time. He was nervous and missed some kicks, but his sweeping left-footed kick produces a distinctive sound when he strikes the ball. He’s going to give Lawrence Tynes a battle.

linkJACKSONVILLE

As an added bonus I got a good look at Josh Scobee kicking field goals. He was about 85 percent from the thirty-five yard line and made a few kicks from the left hash. During the few times I was watching him, he nailed at least one 62 yarder that sailed into the parking lot.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

NFL Network schedule

Monday, May 14, 2007

6:00 p.m. EST -- NFL Films Presents

Explores the depth of the NFL Films archive with unique perspectives on footballs greatest heroes and personalities as well as its history, humanity and humor. The Kicking Game stories include: Barefoot Kickers, Single Bar Facemask, A Kicker's Tale, Gogalaks, Timberlake, Gramaticas, Kicking Triangle.

 

[Warpig]

Anything new on Mason Crosby?

 

[Mike Herman]

KANSAS CITY

PK Justin Medlock has an extremely strong leg. I talked to special teams coach Mike Priefer after practice on Monday. He had a bit of a twinkle in his eye when I mentioned Medlock, but made it clear that Lawrence Tynes and Medlock will battle for the job. He also said holder Dustin Colquitt has been working with Medlock since the team drafted him, which probably means Medlock has the early edge.

linkARIZONA

Kicker Neil Rackers plans on rebounding to his 2005 Pro Bowl level this season. He also is taking on a second job. Rackers is working with Fox Sports Net Arizona to file reports this offseason and in training camp. Once the season begins, he will also become a rare commodity — a player who not only plays in the games but also is a postgame TV reporter. Rackers, who cleared the idea with the team and Whisenhunt, emphasized his reports will all be positive, no matter how bad a loss. “There is never going to be any challenging of anything my teammates or coaches are doing,” he said. And what if Rackers boots a game-winning field goal and is in demand for interviews himself? “I’ll get the first one with myself,” he said. “I will probably just have a big smile on my face.”

linkNY GIANTS

The Giants have two place-kickers on their roster. One, Josh Huston, spent most of last fall with the odd job of cleaning junk out of foreclosed houses. He had his appendix removed last week and will probably not kick again until June. The other, Marc Hickok, has had one professional kicking job since he left college four years ago. That came in arenafootball2, the Arena Football League’s minor league. Whether the Giants sign someone who has attempted an N.F.L. kick will depend largely on the performance of Huston and Hickok in the coming weeks and through training camp, which starts in late July. But kicker may be the most intriguing position battle to be waged between now and the beginning of the season for the Giants, who are looking to replace Jay Feely, who signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent.

For now, the job rests on the foot of Huston, who was left to do little but watch the team’s three-day rookie minicamp, which ended Monday. The Giants have been tracking his progress the past two months. He made 87 percent of his field-goal attempts — most from 40 to 49 yards — in simulated drills at Giants Stadium in April and early May. On May 7, after kicking and working out, Huston left to play golf. “I shot 78,” he said. “I was strokin’ it, but I felt a little weird the whole time.” The stomach pain arrived after dinner, and Huston felt only marginally better the next day. By Tuesday night, his appendix had been removed. With three puncture wounds from the surgery in his belly, Huston is exercising again, but unlikely to try to kick a football for a few weeks.

Huston had spent the past couple of months tuning his abilities with an eye toward this minicamp, knowing General Manager Jerry Reese and his personnel staff would be watching closely. “Are you kidding me?” he said when asked about the anticipation and subsequent disappointment. “You practice with your coach, they see the film, and they look at the numbers. But to be able to go out there in front of Jerry Reese and Kevin Abrams and Dave Gettleman and those guys — they’re out there watching, and that’s what I’m practicing for. It’s a bummer.”

Huston, 25, spent most of his college career at Ohio State stuck on the roster behind Mike Nugent, now the Jets’ kicker. He performed well when he finally got the top job as a senior in 2005, and spent last year’s training camp with the Bears, who cut him in favor of Robbie Gould. Between jobs in Columbus, Ohio, as a cashier at a market and cleaning out stuff left behind in foreclosed houses, Huston tried out for three N.F.L. teams last season, including the Giants in December, when Feely had a sore foot. At season’s end, the Giants signed him, unsure if they would keep Feely.

The job was Huston’s when Feely left for the Dolphins in early March. But Huston knew that the team would bring in at least one other kicker to stimulate competition. They did. In April, the Giants auditioned four kickers: the former Colts Pro Bowler Mike Vanderjagt, who was cut by the Dallas Cowboys last year; the six-year N.F.L. veteran Paul Edinger; Carter Warley of the Arena Football League’s New York Dragons; and Hickok, a lifelong Giants fan. Hickok won the job after he made 11 of 14 kicks, including a 55-yarder, in chilly, windy conditions.

Hickok, 26, spent three years after graduating from Connecticut unsuccessfully chasing a kicking job. He moved to Florida to focus on kicking, and worked as a bartender, then a personal trainer. He struggled to get invitations to even the lowest-level tryouts, but finally captured the arena football job in Stockton, Calif., last year. That helped secure an invitation to an N.F.L. Europa combine this spring, where the Giants spotted him. “There’s no negative out of any of this,” Hickok said. “When I’ve been busting my butt telling people where I’m trying to get to, people look at me like I’m crazy.”

The Giants seem comfortable letting the kicks fall where they may. Kicker is football’s most interchangeable position, and the Giants have waited until the last moment to make a final decision before. In 2004, Tom Coughlin’s first season as head coach, the Giants planned to use the untested Todd France as their kicker. Five days before the season opener, they signed the 14-year veteran Steve Christie. “They could sign a veteran at any time,” said Huston, who offers up equal doses of smiles and swagger. “But even if they do sign a veteran, it doesn’t mean it’s their job.”

link

 

[AB in DC]

Mike -- I was curious to see in your projections that you expect Justin Medlock to be the only rookie kicker to win the FG job. Why is that? Neither Rayner nor Gramatica have done anything to impress me, so those jobs seem ripe for the taking.

Also, some of the articles in this thread have mentioned Medlock's kickoff distance; is it possible that KC will use him as a specialist while keeping Tynes for FGs?

 

[Mike Herman]

Mike -- I was curious to see in your projections that you expect Justin Medlock to be the only rookie kicker to win the FG job. Why is that? Neither Rayner nor Gramatica have done anything to impress me, so those jobs seem ripe for the taking. Also, some of the articles in this thread have mentioned Medlock's kickoff distance; is it possible that KC will use him as a specialist while keeping Tynes for FGs?

I think Medlock is the only one of the three rookies where it's his job to lose. Tynes was doomed when he hit the upright from 23 yards out in the playoff game against the Colts. For Tynes to salvage his job, he'll probably need to look great this summer and for Medlock to stink up the joint.Folk is perhaps better suited to be a kickoff specialist, while also being available as an emergency punter or placekicker. My gut feeling is that Gramatica will hold on to at least the placekicking job.Crosby vs. Rayner is a toss up in my mind. The Packers weren't looking for a kicker in the draft, but when he was still available and the Packers had a bunch of extra picks, they decided to give him a shot. Crosby has the big leg, but will need to become more consistent using it. For the moment I gave Rayner a very slight edge of experience over raw rookie attributes. Some possible parallels... it took Rackers a few years to learn how to use his big leg. Last year, Josh Huston was considered by some to be the top kicker in th draft, but he slipped all the way to not being drafted. Meanwhile incumbent Robbie Gould made huge strides in his second year, and easily kept his job.

 

[Mike Herman]

EDITORIAL

Mark Moseley, Washington Redskins, 1982 NFL MVP

You know why nobody cares much about the NFL MVP vote? Because a kicker won it! The hands-down lamest MVP of any sport, any year, and it's not even debatable. Fine, the Redskins went 8-1 and Moseley made 20 of 21 field goals (he missed three extra points). He was second in the NFL in scoring. Still, there had to be, oh, 100 players more valuable than him. Or maybe 200. This is what happens when you give out awards in strike-shortened seasons.

link

 

[QuizGuy66]

Rackers, who cleared the idea with the team and Whisenhunt, emphasized his reports will all be positive, no matter how bad a loss. “There is never going to be any challenging of anything my teammates or coaches are doing,” he said.

Hmm, he could get a job with MSG Network covering the Knicks during the offseason.I'm trying to picture the interview after like a 49-0 loss.Vanderjagt would be the perfect complement to him as co-anchor.-QG

 

[Bri]

Pats have a punter doing real well in NFLE

 

[Mike Herman]

KANSAS CITY

Justin Medlock got off to a good start at last weekend’s rookie camp. His kickoffs pleased the Chiefs not only with their distance and hang time but their consistency. He didn’t shank one of his 18. He also bombed some long-range field goals. “I was going back to 57 yards and hitting those,” he said. “I still had more left. I would have tried to go even longer but (special-teams coach Mike Priefer) told me to stop because I’m never going to try one from that far in a game.”

The Chiefs weren’t thinking about picking a kicker when the draft started. But with Medlock still available, they found they couldn’t resist. Coach Herm Edwards once had success when he was with the Jets drafting a kicker, Mike Nugent, in the second round. The Chiefs selected punter Dustin Colquitt in the third round two years ago, and he’s proved well worth the choice. “I’m sure that was part of the discussion,” Priefer said. “The precedents have been set. They’re not afraid to go out on a limb and draft a guy that will be here hopefully for the next 10 years.”

Medlock made almost 80 percent of his field-goal attempts in four seasons at UCLA and almost 88 percent last year. “He was the guy coming out of college who is the most ready to be an NFL kicker,” Priefer said. “He made 10 of his 15 field goals at the combine. That’s not great. But at the combine, the holder’s not very good and so it’s not very fair to the kicker. I watched him to see how he would react. He didn’t say a word. A lot of kickers would be mad and doing things trying to show up their holder. But Justin didn’t say a word. That says a lot about him when things don’t go right.”

link

 

[Mike Herman]

NFL EUROPA

COLOGNE, Germany (AP) - Nick Novak kicked a 49-yard field goal with 3:38 remaining Saturday to lift the Cologne Centurions to a 20-17 victory over the Duesseldorf Rhein Fire.

linkPHILADELHIA

Some fluff news for a Sunday...

Eagles kicker David Akers' assignment next Sunday: He'll officiate at the marriage of Tracey Detweiler, who oversees Eagles' travel, to Jeff Leinen, who has the same role with the Detroit Lions. (Sheer coincidence that the Lions play the Eagles here this season, on Sept. 23.) Detweiler, a Lansdale native in her 13th season with the Birds, credits Akers with providing her spiritual guidance. Akers is not ordained, so the Rev. Herb Lusk, the team's chaplain and a former Eagle, will sign the license. You may wonder where two travel experts will honeymoon. So does she. Her fiance booked the trip; all she knows is that they'll go July Fourth weekend.

link

 

[patrickmcgroin]

Justin Medlock story hijack....

When he was coming out of high school, he was wanting to get a scholarship offer from UNC. He would frequently post on insidecarolina.com's message board. When UCLA offered him(and I think UNC offered a kicker instate) he had to take it of course. I always pulled for him at UCLA because he seemed to be such a nice guy. Best wishes to him in the NFL.

 

[Mike Herman]

NFL

Tony Romo might have a new rule named for him, but Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren wants to set the record straight: His team is not to blame. There are some who believe a Seahawks ball boy intentionally gave the Cowboys a slick, unused ball, leading to Romo's botched hold in Dallas' playoff loss in Seattle. It denied Martin Gramatica a chance for a 19-yard field goal that would have given the Cowboys a 23-21 lead with 1:14 remaining. Partly as a result, the NFL competition committee tweaked the kicking ball rules this off-season, including adding a numbering system to the balls. This season, the ball marked No. 1 will be used until it's no longer available.

Holmgren, though, said it wasn't a slippery ball that doomed the Cowboys. "It's wonderful video television, that shot where you can actually see the rotation of the ball coming back to you in slow motion," Holmgren said this off-season. "Well, the ball looks shiny because of the light. I went to Erik Kennedy, our equipment guy, and he goes, 'Hey, listen, I was in there, the Dallas guy was in there, by the rules of how we did those things.' They both go in there, and they rub them down and inspect them. That was the way it was. "Now, if you watch Romo, he caught the ball. But then when he went to put it down, he lost it. If it was really slippery, sometimes you'll see it like a greased pig; it will kind of slip through his hands. But he caught it, and then he just got a little casual [putting it down]."

link

 

[identikit]

Mike,

Where do you see John Carney landing (if anywhere)?

I'm thinking the Giants, possibly.

Id

 

[Mike Herman]

Mike,Where do you see John Carney landing (if anywhere)?I'm thinking the Giants, possibly.Id

Yes, the Giants at this juncture are the most likely team to have to fall back on a proven veteran kicker before the regular season starts. Atlanta, Kansas City, and Green Bay are others that could wind up in that scenario.Carney will also be on many teams short list if an injury takes out their current kicker.

 

[Mike Herman]

GREEN BAY

Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner, on rookie kicker Mason Crosby: "Sixth-round picks get cut quite often."

Rayner wishes no ill well on anyone. He's not that kind of guy. But he has no plans to lie down and let Crosby, a sixth-round draft pick, take his job. You have to love man-to-man combat, and Rayner fired the first shot. Presumably, this will be a friendly battle, but the stakes are high. Let the competition continue at the organized team activities.

link

 

[AB in DC]

Fired the first shot? Rayner was a sixth round pick himself. Sounds like he's speaking from experience more than anything else.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Fired the first shot? Rayner was a sixth round pick himself. Sounds like he's speaking from experience more than anything else.

So I guess he can't be wrong either way, can he?

 

[Mike Herman]

ST. LOUIS

Jeff Wilkins admits playing indoors has its obvious advantages in sustaining a kicker's career. He hears about it from kickers in Green Bay, Chicago and New York. "It's the ideal conditions for me," Wilkins said with a laugh. "It came down to staying with San Francisco or going to the Rams. San Francisco had a very good team at that time and the Rams didn't have a great team, but you could see where they were headed. And the longevity of a kicker playing in a dome is a lot better. "I'm glad we made the decision because a couple of years later we were playing in a Super Bowl."

Wilkins said he's scaled back his offseason kicking workouts from early in his career to save his leg.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

DETROIT

Kicker Jason Hanson, who will be 37 by the start of next season, is showing no signs of slowing down and has repeatedly said that he wants to quit kicking when he can no longer be effective with kickoffs. Hanson said he'll walk away from the game at that point because he doesn't want to be just a field-goal specialist.

Yeah, well, don't count on that. But it's that kind of attitude that shows you why Hanson has been at the top of his craft for so long. He's a phenomenal athlete - he always enjoyed jabbing Chris Spielman that he could hit a golf ball farther - and he takes great care of himself. He can't boom the 56 yarders like he once did, but that doesn't mean he can't be dangerous from beyond 50 yards. He was 3-of-6 from that distance last season, including a missed 56-yarder and a 53-yarder that was blocked. Hanson did tag a couple of successful 53-yarders. Still, his value is in the consistency of his field goals from 49 yards and in. Actually, make that 48 yards and in -- last year, Hanson nailed all 26 field goal attempts from that range.

Amazingly, Hanson's 13 touchbacks on kickoffs last year tied him for fifth place in the NFL. Don't be surprised if that number actually climbs this season. The reason is that former special teams coach Chuck Priefer liked Hanson to use more directional kicking while new special teams coach Stan Kwan is likely to allow Hanson to let it rip on a more regular basis.

One unusual part of Hanson's career - which he really has no control over - is his lack of game-winning field goals. Part of that is because the Lions simply haven't won that many games in the last six seasons but, still, in his 15-year career, he's only hit 13 true game-winning kicks. The interesting thing about Hanson is that he's very cool under pressure, but not because he's calm and collected. He's actually a nervous wreck and he said he uses that fear of missing to concentrate on the task at hand. He doesn't fill his mind with negative thoughts, but rather puts pressure on himself with the realization of the huge responsibility he has. Yeah, it's a little quirky but considering he's hit 82 percent of his field goal attempts during his career, how can you argue with success?

link

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Mike,Where do you see John Carney landing (if anywhere)?I'm thinking the Giants, possibly.Id

Reported earlier on this board today:Lawrence Tynes has been traded to the NY Giants

 

[Yah_Shoor_Yoobetchya]

DETROIT

Kicker Jason Hanson, who will be 37 by the start of next season, is showing no signs of slowing down and has repeatedly said that he wants to quit kicking when he can no longer be effective with kickoffs. Hanson said he'll walk away from the game at that point because he doesn't want to be just a field-goal specialist.

Yeah, well, don't count on that. But it's that kind of attitude that shows you why Hanson has been at the top of his craft for so long. He's a phenomenal athlete - he always enjoyed jabbing Chris Spielman that he could hit a golf ball farther - and he takes great care of himself. He can't boom the 56 yarders like he once did, but that doesn't mean he can't be dangerous from beyond 50 yards. He was 3-of-6 from that distance last season, including a missed 56-yarder and a 53-yarder that was blocked. Hanson did tag a couple of successful 53-yarders. Still, his value is in the consistency of his field goals from 49 yards and in. Actually, make that 48 yards and in -- last year, Hanson nailed all 26 field goal attempts from that range.

Amazingly, Hanson's 13 touchbacks on kickoffs last year tied him for fifth place in the NFL. Don't be surprised if that number actually climbs this season. The reason is that former special teams coach Chuck Priefer liked Hanson to use more directional kicking while new special teams coach Stan Kwan is likely to allow Hanson to let it rip on a more regular basis.

One unusual part of Hanson's career - which he really has no control over - is his lack of game-winning field goals. Part of that is because the Lions simply haven't won that many games in the last six seasons but, still, in his 15-year career, he's only hit 13 true game-winning kicks. The interesting thing about Hanson is that he's very cool under pressure, but not because he's calm and collected. He's actually a nervous wreck and he said he uses that fear of missing to concentrate on the task at hand. He doesn't fill his mind with negative thoughts, but rather puts pressure on himself with the realization of the huge responsibility he has. Yeah, it's a little quirky but considering he's hit 82 percent of his field goal attempts during his career, how can you argue with success?

link

FINALLY!Some luv for J-Han!

 

[Mike Herman]

From KANSAS CITY to NY GIANTS

"Tynes is a veteran kicker who has kicked in some big games. He has made some long field goals."

"We feel better about having a veteran kicker coming in and competing for the job. We're not bringing him in to give him the job. He has to earn it. We feel like we have a strong young guy vs. a veteran kicker, and the best kicker is going to win the job."

"We wanted a guy to come in here and put pressure on [Huston], who we really like a lot. Huston has a really strong leg. But we feel better about having a guy that's kicked in the league to come in and compete for the job, because we were basically handing it to [Huston] without a lot of competition. We want to put pressure on him to earn the job. And we want [Tynes] to earn the job as well. One of our goals is to have competition at every position."

- Jerry Reese, Giants GM

KANSAS CITY

From interview with head coach Herm Edwards

Q: Will you bring in another kicker to give your rookie kicker (Justin Medlock) some competition?

EDWARDS: "No. He's the kicker. Period."

Q: What do you like about him?

EDWARDS: "We like his accuracy. We like his leg. He's a confident guy. Lawrence was a good kicker. Lawrence has an opportunity to go somewhere. I had a great conversation with Lawrence and he knew exactly what happened, what took place, and that's all that matters."

Q: How long does it take (punter/holder) Dustin (Colquitt) and Justin to get in synch?

EDWARDS: “It takes some time and that’s why you don’t want to cloud it up for those guys. You don’t want to have a left footed kicker and a right footed kicker and guy whose trying to hold it both ways. It’s about timing along with the long snapper. All of a sudden the long snapper and the kicker are two different guys (from last year). There are going to be changes. Let’s get that right.

“In life there are always changes and for me it’s called growth. Sometimes people don’t want to accept change because you get comfortable. This team can’t get comfortable. It can not. I’m not going to let it get comfortable. That’s my job. So, when I say changes that doesn’t mean I’m trying to run all the Chiefs players out of here. I’m not trying to do that. There are good players here. But I’ve got to upgrade some things and I’ve got to do some things the way I want to do it.

“When I leave here as the head coach whoever follows me, guess what? He’s going to change too, ‘cause that’s what he’s supposed to do because he’s the head coach. But that’s what we’re trying to do and we’re going to create a competitive environment here where all players have a chance to be successful. At the end of the day that’s all I can do as a head coach.”

link

 

[Warpig]

:crosbyownerwaitingonraynertobeshownthedoor:

 

[Mike Herman]

NY GIANTS

The players speak...

Lawrence Tynes

"I'm competing against myself, not him [Huston]."

"No one in this league is going to be judged on one kick."

"My deal was more with management. It wasn't with coaching. Herm had my back. My special teams coach had my back. When we couldn't get a long-term deal done, it kind of blew up.''

"This is a playoff-ready team. I think I bring some experience. I've kicked game winners and played in big games. Then again, I just need to take care of what I can do.''

"I wouldn't say I'm a huge upgrade over Jay Feely. He had two great years. I still have to go in here and do what he did."

"I'm going to make him [Huston] better, and he's going to make me better. You have to be dialed in every day when you come to practice, especially when you're kicking against Morten Andersen. I mean, he misses like 10 kicks all of training camp, total."

"I haven't seen Josh kick. I don't know anything about him. But he's got to be good. He's here."

Josh Huston

"I have been kicking really well. They were happy enough with me not to draft anyone.''

"It was kind of a shock, but not really. This is the NFL, and you need competition, and that's what they went and did. It's going to be the best kicker who gets the job."

Jeff Feagles, punter/holder

"Everybody needs competition. You just can't hand a job to somebody. They have to earn it. Those two will battle. Lawrence has the game experience in the NFL and dealt with the mental part of it. They are both good kickers.''

 

[Pygmy Marmoset]

I really wanted the Saints to get Medlock. Watching that kid at UCLA was a joy - really gets his leg into kicks.

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

The top two candidates to replace Tony Romo as the holder are backup QB Brad Johnson and punter Mat McBriar. Neither botched a hold today. If Martin Gramatica fights off sixth-round pick Nick Folk, Johnson is the heavy favorite to be his holder. They've got history together from their Tampa Bay days. McBriar went with the one-glove look while holding for Folk. He said the stickiness of the glove makes him feel comfortable with the slick K balls, although they supposedly won't be as slick this season. McBriar assured me that he didn't leave his right hand bare as a fashion statement: "I want to be able to feel the laces." McBriar, who currently holds the title of World's Best Punter, said he's determined to give Johnson a fight for this holding gig. "Neck and neck," McBriar said, describing the competition so far.

linkNY GIANTS

Josh Huston was limited in practice Wednesday because of an appendectomy three weeks ago. He thinks he will be able to attempt field goals during the team's minicamp next month, but he is not sure whether he will be able to kick off. Giants general manager Jerry Reese told Huston he will get a fair shot at the job.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

Michael Buffington, Lewisville, Texas: What happened to the idea of Mat McBriar learning to kick off this off-season? He's got that strong leg and if he could learn to do it he could save a game-day roster spot by not having to have a kickoff specialist. Have we just not heard about it?

Mickey: No, it's because it's just not happening. Asked McBriar about how kicking off was going at the last mini-camp, and he smiled wryly, saying he just didn't have it. Said he worked on it, but that obviously the technique is so different from punting, and he admitted he just wasn't any good at it. Was never a soccer player. So don't be holding your breath on the punter also kicking off. Not going to happen, at least as long as McBriar is the punter. And who's to say Martin Gramatica, assuming he wins the kicking job, can't continue kicking off? He did a decent job last year, and from I've seen so far, rookie Nick Folk is going to have to come on if he's going to force his way onto the roster.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

GREEN BAY

Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner says he's not fazed by the team's decision to draft Colorado's Mason Crosby in the sixth round to provide training camp competition, but Rayner definitely raised eyebrows in practice Thursday when he missed a pair of 46- yard field-goal attempts. Those misses - one wide right, the other wide left - were sandwiched around Crosby's drilling the same kick during a hurry-up session midway through practice. "I'm not worried about anything. I missed two kicks, and I was not happy about it, but it's something that's definitely correctable," Rayner said. "I have no issues with (Crosby) at all. "Everybody thinks I'm supposed to hate this kid. He got drafted here. It wasn't his choice. Obviously I want to beat him out, but at the same time, I wish him luck and I hope he does well."

link

 

[ConstruxBoy]

GREEN BAY

Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner says he's not fazed by the team's decision to draft Colorado's Mason Crosby in the sixth round to provide training camp competition, but Rayner definitely raised eyebrows in practice Thursday when he missed a pair of 46- yard field-goal attempts. Those misses - one wide right, the other wide left - were sandwiched around Crosby's drilling the same kick during a hurry-up session midway through practice. "I'm not worried about anything. I missed two kicks, and I was not happy about it, but it's something that's definitely correctable," Rayner said. "I have no issues with (Crosby) at all. "Everybody thinks I'm supposed to hate this kid. He got drafted here. It wasn't his choice. Obviously I want to beat him out, but at the same time, I wish him luck and I hope he does well."

link

Let's go Crosby!

 

[Mike Herman]

MIAMI

Right now, Jay Feely would settle on just knowing his holder's identity. Former Dolphins punter/holder Donnie Jones is with the St. Louis Rams, so the punting job is basically up for grabs between rookie Brandon Fields and Ryan Flinn. Dolphins coach Cam Cameron and special teams assistant coach Steve Hoffman prefer punters do the holding, but there is a small chance it could come down to the backup quarterback, Cleo Lemon or rookie John Beck, and neither has much experience.

"The toughest thing is we don't know who the punter is going to be, and we don't know who the backup quarterback is, so we can't just say, 'Here's the guy, let's go work at this position,'" Feely said. "Ideally, when you go into training camp you want to know exactly what you're doing and don't want to be thinking about it. "Whether it's punting, kicking or holding technique, you go in there and refine it to make it a muscle memory. But my job is to kick the ball wherever that ball is put down. I don't worry about that too much. There are no Ray Finkles down here."

That said, Hoffman and Feely are sticklers for details, and both break down the three-part play from snapper John Denney to the hold and kick to a 1.2- to 1.5-second step-by-step process that is rehearsed over and over. "It's definitely an art," Hoffman said. "If there's ever a miss we've got to find a way to make sure it's not because the snap or hold wasn't good."

link

 

[Mike Herman]

AFL

Have you been asking yourself, where is Seth Marler these days?

He plays for the Tampa Bay Storm in the AFL, and he just received the coveted Kicker of the Month Award for June.