Gr00vus
Footballguy
Since Capybura hasn't graced us with a pre-season kicker extravaganza to illuminate some bargain basement kickers, I thought I'd get a thread rolling to see what all those who (like myself) wait till the end of the draft (or even until waiver wires open prior to the season) are looking at to start out with as their kickers. For the sake of this discussion I'm focusing mainly on guys projected or with an ADP in the lower half of the kicker rankings, but if there are guys you think are greatly underrated above that feel free to mention....
Rian Lindel looks good, although he's not too far down the projections anyway. He kicks outdoors which is a negative, but I think the Bills offense and defense should be better than last year to the extent that he gets more opportunities, and he seems to be decently accurate going off at nearly 83% last year, also going 3 for 3 from 50 plus.
Olindo Mare is another guy in Lindel's projected range that I think can do better than where he's currently ranked. I think the offensive line will take a big step up this year resulting in improved offensive movement all around, just enough to get Mare some more chances than last year. He's accurate enough to make it pay.
I always like Jason Hanson as a real life kicker, but ever since Barry packed it in he simply hasn't gotten much of an opportunity to score big time. He's still reasonably accurate and has a good leg. With Martz in the house, an upgrade at QB and some stability on offense, I think he could return to the upper half of the league's kickers in scoring - maybe even big time if the Martz offense really clicks. Seems like I was thinking the same thing about him last year though.....
Matt Bryant seems like he's in the perfect position to do some scoring this year. Last year he had a below league average number of FG attempts. With the Bucs D and hopefully an improved Simms at qb making the offense a bit more effective I think he should get more opportunities and he seems accurate enough to cash in. Right now it looks like he could be a waiver wire pick up in fantasy leagues - I think he'll end the year being a starting kicker on many fantasy rosters. Now if Joey could stop taking everything to the house....
Did you know that Kris Brown (K is for kicker) had more total points last year than Adam Vinatieri? Just a fun fact, I don't know if Brown will do it again - I suppose that would depend on Vernand Morrency being able to pick up the slack from Domanic Davis.
I'll end with one of my favorites from last year - Rob Bironas. I loved dropping this guy on people when the matchups were right all season long last year (thanks Mike Herman!). He's accurate enough, he's got the leg (though he did struggle from 50+ going only 2 for 5), the question is, will he get the chances? I guess that depends on Volek/Young. The ground game for the Titans should be solid, maybe the defense can gel. If the Titans can hang near .500 I think it'll mean good things for Bironas. Maybe you don't need to draft him, but he'd probably be one of the first waiver wire guys I'd look at. As a big plus you can always sing his name along to the tune of "My Sharona" after he makes a field goal - it tends to drive your opposition batty.
So what say you other sloughers? (And if Capybura wanted to chime in it would be a nice bonus).
Rian Lindel looks good, although he's not too far down the projections anyway. He kicks outdoors which is a negative, but I think the Bills offense and defense should be better than last year to the extent that he gets more opportunities, and he seems to be decently accurate going off at nearly 83% last year, also going 3 for 3 from 50 plus.
Olindo Mare is another guy in Lindel's projected range that I think can do better than where he's currently ranked. I think the offensive line will take a big step up this year resulting in improved offensive movement all around, just enough to get Mare some more chances than last year. He's accurate enough to make it pay.
I always like Jason Hanson as a real life kicker, but ever since Barry packed it in he simply hasn't gotten much of an opportunity to score big time. He's still reasonably accurate and has a good leg. With Martz in the house, an upgrade at QB and some stability on offense, I think he could return to the upper half of the league's kickers in scoring - maybe even big time if the Martz offense really clicks. Seems like I was thinking the same thing about him last year though.....
Matt Bryant seems like he's in the perfect position to do some scoring this year. Last year he had a below league average number of FG attempts. With the Bucs D and hopefully an improved Simms at qb making the offense a bit more effective I think he should get more opportunities and he seems accurate enough to cash in. Right now it looks like he could be a waiver wire pick up in fantasy leagues - I think he'll end the year being a starting kicker on many fantasy rosters. Now if Joey could stop taking everything to the house....
Did you know that Kris Brown (K is for kicker) had more total points last year than Adam Vinatieri? Just a fun fact, I don't know if Brown will do it again - I suppose that would depend on Vernand Morrency being able to pick up the slack from Domanic Davis.
I'll end with one of my favorites from last year - Rob Bironas. I loved dropping this guy on people when the matchups were right all season long last year (thanks Mike Herman!). He's accurate enough, he's got the leg (though he did struggle from 50+ going only 2 for 5), the question is, will he get the chances? I guess that depends on Volek/Young. The ground game for the Titans should be solid, maybe the defense can gel. If the Titans can hang near .500 I think it'll mean good things for Bironas. Maybe you don't need to draft him, but he'd probably be one of the first waiver wire guys I'd look at. As a big plus you can always sing his name along to the tune of "My Sharona" after he makes a field goal - it tends to drive your opposition batty.
So what say you other sloughers? (And if Capybura wanted to chime in it would be a nice bonus).
Last edited by a moderator:
There is something special about a guy who can go both ways and be accepted by all his teammates and fans.
Interesting idea.
