Observation on Kickers thus far... (1 Viewer)

[IndyHavoc]

OK, I'm I the only person that is noticing that nearly every kicker seems Racker-esque thus far in preseason. I really think the the "bring your own balls" rule change is going to affect kickers more than anything. I've been watching every game possible (GB the NFL network and replays, and GB TiVO!!). And also checking the NFL-scoreboards at NFL.com. Take a look at this...

Rank Player			  Team FGM FGA Long XPA XPM  Pts 1	Sebastian Janikowski OAK  6   6   55	2   2   20 2	Matt Stover		  BAL  5   5   43	2   2   17 3	Michael Koenen	   ATL  5   5   51	2   2   17 4	Stephen Gostkowski   NE   4   4   37	4   4   16 5	Shayne Graham		CIN  4   5   43	7   7   19 6	Rob Bironas		  TEN  4   5   48	2   2   14 7	Matt Prater		  DET  4   4   48	2   2   14 8	Rian Lindell		 BUF  3   3   51	3   3   12 9	Olindo Mare		  MIA  3   4   52	2   2   11 10   Mike Nugent		  NYJ  3   3   32	3   3   12 11   David Akers		  PHI  3   3   55	4   4   13

Wondering if we're seeing any kind of trend. Sure seems like we're seeing more long attempts and much greater success percentage. Are we going to see a significant increase in pts scored by kickers (and thus scoring overall) this season? Think maybe a 1 round bump up in drafting some of the consistent kickers from high scoring offenses are in order?

 

[videoguy505]

Well, I don't know about bumping them up another round . That's still early. If there are more attempts overall, all kickers can be equally improved by this.

Somewhere on here, I read historically weak run defenses have given up the most points to kickers. I think you will still have to play week-to-week matchups, or quarter-season-to-quarter season if you don't want to have to worry about the waiver wire every week. Kickers are too inconsistent to draft one and ride all season, unless you get lucky and find a guy who's hot, like Rackers early last season, when matchups don't matter and he'll kick 50 yarders twice a week.

My current drafting strategy is to try and get Stover, Lindell, Carney, Wilkins, Bironas, or Hall, because they have good kicking matchups in weeks 1-4. The main reason for this is that I'm in a league with few bench slots (8 starters, 6 bench), and in Week 4 Elam, Reed, and Feeley are on byes, historically good fantasy kickers. Since my opponents will probably have to drop them instead of bench them, I expect one or all of them to be free agents over their bye week. Elam's next 4 games are also OK for kickers according to SOS, so he may be my target. This way I get a good set of matchups for the first four weeks, then I can grab a kicker that may be drafted earlier than I want to take one, by a guppy who's not working his bye weeks.

 

[wildbill]

OK, I'm I the only person that is noticing that nearly every kicker seems Racker-esque thus far in preseason. I really think the the "bring your own balls" rule change is going to affect kickers more than anything. I've been watching every game possible (GB the NFL network and replays, and GB TiVO!!). And also checking the NFL-scoreboards at NFL.com. Take a look at this...

Rank Player Team FGM FGA Long XPA XPM Pts 1 Sebastian Janikowski OAK 6 6 55 2 2 20 2 Matt Stover BAL 5 5 43 2 2 17 3 Michael Koenen ATL 5 5 51 2 2 17 4 Stephen Gostkowski NE 4 4 37 4 4 16 5 Shayne Graham CIN 4 5 43 7 7 19 6 Rob Bironas TEN 4 5 48 2 2 14 7 Matt Prater DET 4 4 48 2 2 14 8 Rian Lindell BUF 3 3 51 3 3 12 9 Olindo Mare MIA 3 4 52 2 2 11 10 Mike Nugent NYJ 3 3 32 3 3 12 11 David Akers PHI 3 3 55 4 4 13Wondering if we're seeing any kind of trend. Sure seems like we're seeing more long attempts and much greater success percentage. Are we going to see a significant increase in pts scored by kickers (and thus scoring overall) this season? Think maybe a 1 round bump up in drafting some of the consistent kickers from high scoring offenses are in order?

I hadn't noticed more long attempts than expected, but if it's true I'm guessing it's because coaches know the games don't count so they're willing to let the kickers take their shots. In the regular season I'd expect them to become more conservative and attempt fewer long kicks.Either way, it won't affect how long I wait to draft kickers.

 

[Kleck]

I really think the the "bring your own balls" rule change is going to affect kickers more than anything.

From the rules section of NFL.comhttp://www.nfl.com/fans/rules

The home club shall have 36 balls for outdoor games and 24 for indoor games available for testing with a pressure gauge by the referee two hours prior to the starting time of the game to meet with League requirements. Twelve (12) new footballs, sealed in a special box and shipped by the manufacturer, will be opened in the officials’ locker room two hours prior to the starting time of the game. These balls are to be specially marked with the letter "k" and used exclusively for the kicking game.

I'm pretty sure the "bring your own balls" rule doens't apply to kickers. It was an adjustmet for plays from the line of scrimmage so quarterbacks could throw their ball of choice.