2007 All-seasons K news (1 Viewer)

[Mike Herman]

CFL

The Toronto Argonauts signed Steve Christie.

 

[Mike Herman]

BUFFALO

Camp leg added...

The Bills have added punter/kicker D.J. Fitzpatrick to their roster. Fitzpatrick spent the final three games of the 2007 NFL Europa season with the Berlin Thunder. He was orginally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jets in 2006, before being released after training camp. Fitzpatrick played college ball at the University of Notre Dame. He finished fifth in PATs made with 103.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

NEW ENGLAND

For the most part, placekicker Stephen Gostkowski looked impressive during mini camp. Though he made a respectable three out of every four field goals he attempted in his rookie campaign, accuracy is an aspect of Gostkowski’s game he seems intent on improving. He worked considerably on long-range field goals during last month’s practices. Kickoff distance was another strength of Gostkowski’s last year. He averaged 65 yards per boot, with 12 of his 81 kickoffs resulting in touchbacks. The Pats didn’t have much need for onside kicks last season, so that’s one area where the second-year kicker may have to prove himself this year.

LINK

 

[Mike Herman]

CFL

The rumor mill suggests that Mike Vanderjagt could be returning to Canada to play football.

 

[Mike Herman]

CHICAGO

From an interview with special teams coordinator Dave Toub:

What’s the key to Robbie Gould building on his success from last season?

We’re working on consistency with him in terms of where he’s hitting the ball. His technique is excellent. Last year we worked on his accuracy going into the year and we felt like we improved in that area. Now it’s just a matter of refining him and keeping his mind focused on the task.

How would you evaluate Robbie’s performance in offseason workouts?

He had a good offseason. I think his leg strength improved. [strength and conditioning coordinator] Rusty Jones has helped him in that area. [special teams assistant coach] Kevin O’Dea has done a lot with him as far as working on his kickoffs. He’s improved his kickoffs. He’s developed some different kicks as far as onside kicks that we’re going to use this year.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

GREEN BAY

The Packers signed draft pick Mason Crosby yesterday.

KANSAS CITY

Justin Medlock remains unsigned.

DALLAS

There is a possibility that three of the [Cowboys'] picks - fourth-round Isaiah Stanback, sixth-rounder Nick Folk and seventh-rounder Courtney Brown - might not get signed in time. All three are with the same representation group, which seems to be trying to play hard ball without much leverage.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

The Cowboys signed Nick Folk to a four year deal yesterday.

NY JETS

Signed Justin Ayat, who graduated from Hawaii in 2004.

KANSAS CITY

Word on the grapevine is that Justin Medlock will be signed by tomorrow.

OAKLAND

The Raiders released long tome longsnapper Adam Treu.



SEATTLE

Released Tyler Jones.

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

Day 1, Afternoon Practice

Martin Gramatica and 6th round draft choice, Nick Folk, traded opportunities to kickoff. Folk clearly had the stronger leg kicking within the 2 yardline 3 of 4 kicks. Gramatica kicked no farther than the 4 yardline with 2 kicks at the 10 and 13 yardlines.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

KANSAS CITY

The Chiefs have signed Justin Medlock, avoiding an ugly holdout situation.

 

[Mike Herman]

TENNESSEE

It has surfaced that Rob Bironas is recovering from two off-season surgeries, including one on a knee. Add John Vaughn to your Sleeper K Watch Lists.

 

[Mike Herman]

The early results from training camp battles... although keep in mind it is still very early, and based only on a few practices...

DAL - Nick Folk has looked better than Martin Gramatica

NYG - Josh Huston has looked better than Lawrence Tynes

GB - Dave Rayner and Mason Crosby have both looked equally good

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Let's go Crosby!

 

[Warpig]

Let's go Crosby!

 

[Mike Herman]

ATLANTA

Released Aaron Elling, leaving Billy Cundiff as the Falcon's kicker... unless they're planning to secretly try Michael Koenen again, or bring back Morten Andersen again, or wait and grab Rayner or Crosby, or...



ARIZONA

See Blog for some Neil Rackers info: link

 

[Mike Herman]

Who's Hot?

- Stephen Gostkowski has been making nearly every FG in practice

- Dave Rayner and...

- Mason Crosby have both been very impressive in camp so far. Don't be surprised if the loser of the competition lands a job with another team this year.

Who's Not?

- Aaron Elling was released by the Falcons.

- Jason Elam has been missing more kicks than usual while the team looks for a holder to replace Jake Plummer.

- Shayne Graham has also been missing more kicks than usual.

- Neither Lawrence Tynes nor Josh Huston have been overly impressive for the Giants. They also have longsnapper issues.

See FBG Camp Updates for more details on other exciting kicker news

 

[Mike Herman]

CINCINNATI

Shayne Graham missed a 48 yard FG attempt wide left with one second left in last nights game at Detroit. It would have been a game winner if good.

 

[Mike Herman]

JACKSONVILLE

Signed Aaron Elling... the latest in the revolving door of camp legs.

 

[Mike Herman]

CINCINNATI

"I'm not happy with it for myself. I'm not happy because I should contribute more to the team. I'm not happy because the fans deserve more. It is a preseason game. I'm not going to get my head down, but I can say it's good to get it out of the way. But I still hope it comes down to a field goal every day. I haven't lost my confidence. I want to be in that situation every game."

- Shayne Graham regarding his missed potential game winner at the end of the Detroit game

 

[Mike Herman]

KANSAS CITY

“I walked up to him [Justin Medlock] after the second one, and I said, ‘Hey, let me tell you something. We drafted you because you’re a good kicker. You’ll get another chance to kick before the night is over and you’ll make the next one.' And he made it. At that point, we were winning the game.”

- HC Herm Edwards on Medlock's two missed field goals in last night's game

 

[Warpig]

KANSAS CITY

“I walked up to him [Justin Medlock] after the second one, and I said, ‘Hey, let me tell you something. We drafted you because you’re a good kicker. You’ll get another chance to kick before the night is over and you’ll make the next one.' And he made it. At that point, we were winning the game.”

- HC Herm Edwards on Medlock's two missed field goals in last night's game

Moralon't draft a kicker in the 5th round. And don't drop your veteran kicker before even letting them fight it out in training camp.

 

[Capybara]

ATLANTA

"We've got Michael Koenen, who can kick off and do a real good job of that. Billy has been concentrating mostly on his field goal kicking. We didn't kick the ball as well as we needed to for coverage [in the first game]. We also made a couple of mistakes and didn't get down the field as fast as we need to. I'm not really worried about how far we are going to kick because when Koenen is back there, that's going to happen. But for right now, what we are trying to do is have him concentrate on his punting and make sure his back stays healthy."

- HC Bobby Petrino on switching back to Koenen for kickoffs

 

[WampusCat43]

FWIW, Olindo Mare kicked the snot out of the ball vs. the Bengals Sat. night. All 4 of his first-half kickoffs were touchbacks, and he looked good on FGs as well.

 

[Mike Herman]

NY GIANTS

"That is something that we obviously want to keep going [with] the competition bringing out the best in each of the kickers. [Josh] Huston certainly helped himself last night with the 50-yard field goal and the 30-yard field goal and the kickoffs that were consistent and deep with some hang time so that the coverage was a factor. He definitely helped himself and it was good to see. Now, hopefully, we will get some opportunities for Lawrence [Tynes] as well."

- HC Tom Coughlin

 

[NorrisB]

Why do you have Josh Scobee so high in your rankings

 

[Mike Herman]

Why do you have Josh Scobee so high in your rankings

Things look much the same as last year...- Jaguars ranked 5th in kicking scoring opportunities last year- O-line returns intact (other than Meester missing a few games in September)- Same solid running game as last year- Same disarray at WR- Strong defenseThe only question mark is any impact of new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter?Scobee is a young kicker that finally appears to be learning how to use his strong leg.“He made significant improvement with his mechanics and accuracy. We’ve asked him to kick a lot of long field goals. He’s a really good young player at that position.”- HC Jack Del Rio

 

[Mike Herman]

NY GIANTS

In the Jets game:

Tynes missed wide right from 40 yards.

Tynes missed wide left from 43 yards.

Huston missed wide right from 42 yards.

Both could be looking for a job by the start of the regular season. In their defense, the starting longsnapper and holder were both out with injuries.

 

[Bri]

Mike,

John Hall name popping up as some struggle?

 

[Mike Herman]

Mike,John Hall name popping up as some struggle?

I doubt it... his injury track record will probably hurt his chances. Morten Andersen, John Carney, and Paul Edinger are probably higher on teams' call lists. Plus the loser of the kicking jobs in Green Bay and Dallas could/should also become available. Plus several younger kickers have look solid in camp, such as Kevin “Sparky” Lovell in St. Louis.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Gramatica strains hamstring.

Link

Setback for Gramatica

Veteran kicker Martin Gramatica had a setback in the battle to beat out rookie sixth-round draft pick Nick Folk.

Gramatica suffered a strained right hamstring on his first-half kickoff. He said he might need an MRI exam but will decide today.

Gramatica missed a second-quarter extra point and had a short kickoff after the Cowboys' opening touchdown.

Gramatica had not missed an extra point in the preseason and has missed only two in his eight-year NFL career.

Folk made his only extra-point attempt in the third quarter.

He also made a 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Gramatica did not attempt a field goal.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

 

[Bri]

Gramatica strains hamstring.

Link

Setback for Gramatica

Veteran kicker Martin Gramatica had a setback in the battle to beat out rookie sixth-round draft pick Nick Folk.

Gramatica suffered a strained right hamstring on his first-half kickoff. He said he might need an MRI exam but will decide today.

Gramatica missed a second-quarter extra point and had a short kickoff after the Cowboys' opening touchdown.

Gramatica had not missed an extra point in the preseason and has missed only two in his eight-year NFL career.

Folk made his only extra-point attempt in the third quarter.

He also made a 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Gramatica did not attempt a field goal.

FWIW Phillips said he's not against rolling with 2 Ks(Cowboys.com article)

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

But while the Cowboys have their fingers crossed that Newman, Ellis and Burnett will play against the Giants, it's quite possible Gramatica won't be in that group. The veteran kicker, who might have hurt his chances to win the job over rookie Nick Folk with a missed extra point against Houston, received another setback in the game when he strained his right hamstring.

Undoubtedly, the competition between Folk and Gramatica has been the closest position battle for the Cowboys, at least for a starting job. But the club has never insisted that both kickers will make the 53-man roster. In fact, the supposed strengths for each kicker coming into the preseason haven't exactly surfaced. Folk, known for his strong kickoffs, has performed better on field goals, hitting all three attempts, including a 52-yarder against Denver. As for Gramatica, he has performed rather well on kickoffs, aside from a wobbly line drive against Houston, but hasn't been as consistent on field goals and extra points. He is 2-of-3 on field goals and had a PAT miss against the Texans on Saturday.

Another aspect of the kicking situation is financial. If Gramatica is on the roster for the opening week of the season, his $800,000 base salary would be guaranteed for the entire season. And since he might not be ready to play for another two weeks, it wouldn't seem likely the Cowboys would rush him back on the field for the first game. The smarter business move might be to go with Folk and release Gramatica. If the rookie kicker struggles early in the season, the Cowboys could always try to bring back Gramatica, or another available veteran kicker.

link

 

[Mike Herman]

CINCINNATI

Shayne Graham left the game with a hip pointer while trying to tackle Atlanta kickoff return man Allen Rossum on a 59-yard return in the second quarter. “I don’t know exactly what happened, but I have a feeling it will be OK,” Graham said after the game.

He did not kick in the second half. Head coach Marvin Lewis said if it were a regular season game that Graham might have kicked. “He would have come back,” Lewis said. But asked if he might have to sign another kicker, Lewis said, “We’ll see.”

Punter Kyle Larson kicked-off after Cincinnati’s second touchdown. The Bengals went for a two-point conversion on that score. If it were a regular season game, Larson would have kicked extra points.

link

 

[Finatic]

 

[BoltBacker]

KANSAS CITY

“I walked up to him [Justin Medlock] after the second one, and I said, ‘Hey, let me tell you something. We drafted you because you’re a good kicker. You’ll get another chance to kick before the night is over and you’ll make the next one.' And he made it. At that point, we were winning the game.”

- HC Herm Edwards on Medlock's two missed field goals in last night's game

Moralon't draft a kicker in the 5th round. And don't drop your veteran kicker before even letting them fight it out in training camp.

Tynes hasn't exactly been lighting things up in NY either so I don't think it hurt much letting him go. Also, I don't think SD regrets drafting Kaeding in the third. I don't think you should ever draft one in the first(Janikowski) but if you're sold on a college K being able to be the guy for the next decade for you I have no problem with burning a first day pick on a kicker.

 

[Mike Herman]

TENNESSEE

Released John Vaughn

 

[Mike Herman]

DALLAS

"If you miss the first (game) or the last one, or any in between, you take the body of work. There is some truth to what a guy's done in the past, what a guy's done in the past for your team, certainly. You have to take that into consideration with Martin or somebody that had been here before. If they've fulfilled a role and done a good job for you, then you've got to consider that even though they may have been hurt a little bit this year or whatever."

- HC Wade Phillips on Martin Gramatica

"He's done everything we've asked. He's made almost every field goal in practice and in the games, so he's been real consistent there. They've been pretty close on kickoffs as far as the two guys, so I have to feel comfortable with a guy that really hadn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. But he'll get the whole game this game and it'll give him an opportunity to see what he can do having the job this game."

- HC Wade Phillips on Nick Folk

 

[cobalt_27]

DALLAS

"If you miss the first (game) or the last one, or any in between, you take the body of work. There is some truth to what a guy's done in the past, what a guy's done in the past for your team, certainly. You have to take that into consideration with Martin or somebody that had been here before. If they've fulfilled a role and done a good job for you, then you've got to consider that even though they may have been hurt a little bit this year or whatever."

- HC Wade Phillips on Martin Gramatica

"He's done everything we've asked. He's made almost every field goal in practice and in the games, so he's been real consistent there. They've been pretty close on kickoffs as far as the two guys, so I have to feel comfortable with a guy that really hadn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. But he'll get the whole game this game and it'll give him an opportunity to see what he can do having the job this game."

- HC Wade Phillips on Nick Folk

Anyone else read into this that it's Gramatica's job unless Folk hammers down 4 FGs of 50+ yards this week?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

DALLAS

"If you miss the first (game) or the last one, or any in between, you take the body of work. There is some truth to what a guy's done in the past, what a guy's done in the past for your team, certainly. You have to take that into consideration with Martin or somebody that had been here before. If they've fulfilled a role and done a good job for you, then you've got to consider that even though they may have been hurt a little bit this year or whatever."

- HC Wade Phillips on Martin Gramatica

"He's done everything we've asked. He's made almost every field goal in practice and in the games, so he's been real consistent there. They've been pretty close on kickoffs as far as the two guys, so I have to feel comfortable with a guy that really hadn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. But he'll get the whole game this game and it'll give him an opportunity to see what he can do having the job this game."

- HC Wade Phillips on Nick Folk

Anyone else read into this that it's Gramatica's job unless Folk hammers down 4 FGs of 50+ yards this week?

That would suck since I've been betting on Folk.

 

[cobalt_27]

DALLAS

"If you miss the first (game) or the last one, or any in between, you take the body of work. There is some truth to what a guy's done in the past, what a guy's done in the past for your team, certainly. You have to take that into consideration with Martin or somebody that had been here before. If they've fulfilled a role and done a good job for you, then you've got to consider that even though they may have been hurt a little bit this year or whatever."

- HC Wade Phillips on Martin Gramatica

"He's done everything we've asked. He's made almost every field goal in practice and in the games, so he's been real consistent there. They've been pretty close on kickoffs as far as the two guys, so I have to feel comfortable with a guy that really hadn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. But he'll get the whole game this game and it'll give him an opportunity to see what he can do having the job this game."

- HC Wade Phillips on Nick Folk

Anyone else read into this that it's Gramatica's job unless Folk hammers down 4 FGs of 50+ yards this week?

That would suck since I've been betting on Folk.

Me too. Just the tone of what Wade's saying here seems to suggest that (a) Martin's done a good job for us in the past and is a known commodity, (b) both have done everything we've asked them to do this preseason, and © we'll give the kid a full look next game and see if he dazzles us out of our comfort zone with Gramatica.I could be wrong, but that's how I'm reading things between the lines.

 

[Mike Herman]

CINCINNATI

The Bengals left themselves an open roster spot, in case they need a fill-in kicker for Graham.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

DALLAS

"If you miss the first (game) or the last one, or any in between, you take the body of work. There is some truth to what a guy's done in the past, what a guy's done in the past for your team, certainly. You have to take that into consideration with Martin or somebody that had been here before. If they've fulfilled a role and done a good job for you, then you've got to consider that even though they may have been hurt a little bit this year or whatever."

- HC Wade Phillips on Martin Gramatica

"He's done everything we've asked. He's made almost every field goal in practice and in the games, so he's been real consistent there. They've been pretty close on kickoffs as far as the two guys, so I have to feel comfortable with a guy that really hadn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. But he'll get the whole game this game and it'll give him an opportunity to see what he can do having the job this game."

- HC Wade Phillips on Nick Folk

Anyone else read into this that it's Gramatica's job unless Folk hammers down 4 FGs of 50+ yards this week?

That would suck since I've been betting on Folk.

Me too. Just the tone of what Wade's saying here seems to suggest that (a) Martin's done a good job for us in the past and is a known commodity, (b) both have done everything we've asked them to do this preseason, and © we'll give the kid a full look next game and see if he dazzles us out of our comfort zone with Gramatica.I could be wrong, but that's how I'm reading things between the lines.

yeah I agree. I've just never been that impressed with Gramatica and it seems like Folk should be able to beat him out.

 

[cobalt_27]

Mike, what's the latest on the GB and NYG situations?

 

[Restricted]

CINCINNATI

The Bengals left themselves an open roster spot, in case they need a fill-in kicker for Graham.

http://www.wcpo.com/content/sports/bengals...21-3406c25d5ccbIn the wake of Shayne Graham going down with a hip pointer, the Bengals signed a kicker.

The press release from the Bengals:

BENGALS ACQUIRE K AARON ELLING

The Bengals have acquired K Aaron Elling on waivers from Jacksonville. Elling (6-2, 201; Wyoming) is a fourth-year NFL player. He has kicked for Minnesota, Tennessee and Baltimore, with 19 field goals in 28 attempts over 33 games. He also has 144 career kickoffs.

Elling first entered the NFL in 2002 as a college free agent with Seattle. He was released before the regular season, but for 2003 he signed with Minnesota and kicked in 16 games, scoring 102 points on 18-of-25 FGs and 48-of-48 PATs.

He saw action primarily on kickoffs in ’04 and ’05, logging eight games with Tennessee/Minnesota in ’04 and nine games with Baltimore in ’05.

He was waived by Baltimore in ’06 final cuts, and was signed earlier this year by Atlanta and later Jacksonville. He was active in preseason with the Jaguars (1-1 on a PAT) and was waived by Jacksonville on Monday.

How worried should Graham owners be?

 

[Warpig]

Mike, what's the latest on the GB and NYG situations?

I've been holding onto Crosby...but I really need the roster spot.

 

[The Royal Jack]

DALLAS

"If you miss the first (game) or the last one, or any in between, you take the body of work. There is some truth to what a guy's done in the past, what a guy's done in the past for your team, certainly. You have to take that into consideration with Martin or somebody that had been here before. If they've fulfilled a role and done a good job for you, then you've got to consider that even though they may have been hurt a little bit this year or whatever."

- HC Wade Phillips on Martin Gramatica

"He's done everything we've asked. He's made almost every field goal in practice and in the games, so he's been real consistent there. They've been pretty close on kickoffs as far as the two guys, so I have to feel comfortable with a guy that really hadn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. But he'll get the whole game this game and it'll give him an opportunity to see what he can do having the job this game."

- HC Wade Phillips on Nick Folk

Anyone else read into this that it's Gramatica's job unless Folk hammers down 4 FGs of 50+ yards this week?

That would suck since I've been betting on Folk.

Me too. Just the tone of what Wade's saying here seems to suggest that (a) Martin's done a good job for us in the past and is a known commodity, (b) both have done everything we've asked them to do this preseason, and © we'll give the kid a full look next game and see if he dazzles us out of our comfort zone with Gramatica.I could be wrong, but that's how I'm reading things between the lines.

yeah I agree. I've just never been that impressed with Gramatica and it seems like Folk should be able to beat him out.

I read the article on the Dallas website with these quotes and I took it to mean that Grammatica is done unless Folk completely screws the pooch. If Folk hits everything in this last preseason game then Grammatica is done. You don't need a roster spot for your reserve injured kicker b/c you'll probably just be able to resign him if the need arises later. There is a lot of veteran help out there if needed.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I'm a Graham owner and I'm not all that worried about Elling. Everything coming out of the Bengals has been that Graham should be starting come Sept. 10. I'm sure they are just holding him out as a precaution.

-QG

 

[Raider Nation]

DALLAS

"If you miss the first (game) or the last one, or any in between, you take the body of work. There is some truth to what a guy's done in the past, what a guy's done in the past for your team, certainly. You have to take that into consideration with Martin or somebody that had been here before. If they've fulfilled a role and done a good job for you, then you've got to consider that even though they may have been hurt a little bit this year or whatever."

- HC Wade Phillips on Martin Gramatica

"He's done everything we've asked. He's made almost every field goal in practice and in the games, so he's been real consistent there. They've been pretty close on kickoffs as far as the two guys, so I have to feel comfortable with a guy that really hadn't done anything to make me feel uncomfortable. But he'll get the whole game this game and it'll give him an opportunity to see what he can do having the job this game."

- HC Wade Phillips on Nick Folk

Anyone else read into this that it's Gramatica's job unless Folk hammers down 4 FGs of 50+ yards this week?

That would suck since I've been betting on Folk.

Me too. Just the tone of what Wade's saying here seems to suggest that (a) Martin's done a good job for us in the past and is a known commodity, (b) both have done everything we've asked them to do this preseason, and © we'll give the kid a full look next game and see if he dazzles us out of our comfort zone with Gramatica.I could be wrong, but that's how I'm reading things between the lines.

yeah I agree. I've just never been that impressed with Gramatica and it seems like Folk should be able to beat him out.

I read the article on the Dallas website with these quotes and I took it to mean that Grammatica is done unless Folk completely screws the pooch. If Folk hits everything in this last preseason game then Grammatica is done.

This is my take on it as well. Unless Folk chokes on his own vomit this week, the gig is his come week 1.

 

[Mike Herman]

The final preseason games

DALLAS

Gramatica: did not make the trip due to his injury.

Folk: no FG attempts, made two PATs; kickoffs of 61, 62, and 65 yards

GREEN BAY

Crosby: missed 52 yard FG attempt wide left; made two PATs; kickoffs of 71 and 73 (touchback) yards

Rayner: no FG or PAT attempts; kickoff of 67 yards

NY GIANTS

Tynes: made 43 yard FG and one PAT; kickoff of 68 yards

Huston: made 33 yard FG and one PAT; kickoffs of 68, 71, and 75; unsuccessful onside kickoff attempt

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Assuming GB keeps Crosby...which I personally think happens, I have to believe Rayner gets picked up by someone like the Giants. They have the worst kicking situation in the league.

Any Dallas, GB, or Giant homers, let us know if you hear anything.