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The Official Kicker (K) Thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SaintsInDome2006
- Start date
Pietaster2
Footballguy
Can’t go wrong with either. I feel like it’s splitting hairs, so you shouldn’t regret either choice. Personally, I’m going with Fairbairn for the higher ceiling. Both have similar floors but I don’t see a monster game in line for McLaughlin against the Saints D. I said something similar last week though and got 2 points from Fairbairn, so you might do well to fade me.
dmac37
Footballguy
Titans give up top 3 points against vs PK, the Saints are middle of the pack. Didn't like Fairbairn last week but love him this week.
WaltonGoggins
Footballguy
Now really torn with Sanders or Fairbairn. Think I will stick with Sanders but could totally see Fairbairn having another great game.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Thanks, Baker. 
Pietaster2
Footballguy
Congrats to everyone in here who started Fairbairn in their finals! I hope his 16 fantasy points contributed to a championship for all of you!
He wasn’t in the top 12 of many rankings I’ve seen out there, so your gutsy call paid off today!
He wasn’t in the top 12 of many rankings I’ve seen out there, so your gutsy call paid off today!
GOAT
Down Under
Footballguy
Well, if someone made it to the finals playing this guy all year, good on them!
Went back and forth all week between Butker and Chase McLaughlin.
Went with the “Butker is due logic”. Lol.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Had the same decision today and chose the Houston K.
15 point differential - won the ship by 10
Same here. Baker was very good for the past few games. Fumbles by White and Palmer didn't help.Thanks, Baker.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
I weathered it at least, but still...it was disappointing.Same here. Baker was very good for the past few games. Fumbles by White and Palmer didn't help.Thanks, Baker.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
Noooooooow u score big Butker. Your dead to me. Will not. Can not. I'll never roster him ever again. The grudge is real and forever.
Fortunately I switched to Fairbairn before kick off! The 15 points (along with White and Evans underproducing) helped me weather some injuries on my team (including Noah) and win by 9 points. Phew!
I put way too much thought into it, but my process was below... Ultimately I thought it would be slightly more likely that having the kicker on my own team would help more.
| Scenario | in game with opponent's players (TB) | in game with my players (HOU) |
| Few FGs, Little Offense | Neutral | Bad |
| Few FGs, Lots of Offense | Bad | Good |
| Lots of FGs, Little Offense | Good | Neutral |
| Lots of FGs, Lots of Offense | Neutral | Good |
FarFromHome
Footballguy
This kid kicking for Alabama about to be a 3rd round pick in the NFL draft.
irish eyes
Footballguy
I hope you're kidding. Any GM that spends a 3rd on a kicker should be fired on the spot
FarFromHome
Footballguy
Guess Niners Lynch should be gone after just drafting Moody in the 3rd. I'm not saying kicker is worth a 3rd. Not saying that at all. I'm saying this kid has been great since high school and a team is gonna take him early.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Michigan Panthers K Jake Bates went 3-3 today (51, 40 & 22) to finish the 7 G UFL season 15/17 .882.
Long of 64, three kicks over 60, and I believe three over 50 (55, 52, 51) - his lone misses were from 61 & 58, both of which were long enough but missed by a couple feet. He also averaged 69.1 on Kickoffs, with no Touchbacks (which require an 80 yarder in the UFL - there were only 5 in 28 league games this year.)
Prior to this, he was only a kickoff specialist in college. He had only attempted – and missed – one field goal before in his life, and that was in high school. He was in the Houston Texans TC last year as a UDFA rookie but got cut early (mid-August.) His college career was two years of soccer at Central Arkansas, two years at North Texas State (kickoffs only), and 2022 at Arkansas - again only kickoffs, although he was named 1st Team All SEC.
The Bills, Lions, Vikings and probably a few other teams are interested. Now that the UFL regular season has concluded I believe they can legally contact him now (although I'm not certain on that point - and the the Panthers are playing in the Conference Championship next weekend.
At any rate, look for a small bidding war to erupt whenever he is eligible to sign with an NFL team. 24 years old and def one to pay attention to this summer wherever he ends up.
Long of 64, three kicks over 60, and I believe three over 50 (55, 52, 51) - his lone misses were from 61 & 58, both of which were long enough but missed by a couple feet. He also averaged 69.1 on Kickoffs, with no Touchbacks (which require an 80 yarder in the UFL - there were only 5 in 28 league games this year.)
Prior to this, he was only a kickoff specialist in college. He had only attempted – and missed – one field goal before in his life, and that was in high school. He was in the Houston Texans TC last year as a UDFA rookie but got cut early (mid-August.) His college career was two years of soccer at Central Arkansas, two years at North Texas State (kickoffs only), and 2022 at Arkansas - again only kickoffs, although he was named 1st Team All SEC.
The Bills, Lions, Vikings and probably a few other teams are interested. Now that the UFL regular season has concluded I believe they can legally contact him now (although I'm not certain on that point - and the the Panthers are playing in the Conference Championship next weekend.
At any rate, look for a small bidding war to erupt whenever he is eligible to sign with an NFL team. 24 years old and def one to pay attention to this summer wherever he ends up.
TheWinz
Footballguy
This guy sucks! He should be nicknamed the Money Grabber, not Money Badger. I have no confidence he will remain the Lions kicker for the entire season.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Hopefully doesn't make it out of TC. Really, really hoping they sign Bates.
Brad Holmes has done a masterful job in roster construction the last 4 years, across the board. Except at Kicker. Every year they pick the wrong guy - seems like usually the guy we cut goes somewhere else and outproduces the guy we keep.
But it's a feature, not a bug. The NFL average for FGA last year was 33.1. Detroit was 32nd with 21; the next lowest was 24. Of course a big reason for that is they finished 2nd in both 4th Down Attempts (40 - league average is a shade under 25) and 4th down conversions (21 - league average is 12.9.)
They threw massive investment this offseason into signing Cornerbacks - traded for Davis, signed Robertson, resigned Moseley, drafted CB in the first 2 rounds. Perfectly reasonably as they was their biggest weakness in 2023. Cut both starting CBs from 2023 and they're still FA (Sutton bc of DV charges, Jacobs bc he was also awful.)
After what happened in the NFCCG, you would think bringing in a big leg would be a priority. So far it's Badgley (who is very shaky 45+) and a college K whose range is capped at 50.
/rant
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Michigan Panthers kicker and UFL star Jake Bates, who has reportedly drawn interest from multiple NFL teams, entered Saturday having made 15 of his 17 field goals on the season, including a whopping six from 50-plus, with three of those coming from 60-plus yards. He was also riding a streak of nine-straight makes since missing two (from 61 & 58) in Week 5.
That streak ended in the second half of the Week 8 contest against the Memphis Showboats when Bates missed a 51-yard field goal in the second half. It was his first miss at Ford Field this season after making his first 10 at the Lions' home venue.
Once the UFL season is over, Bates can begin talking to NFL teams. He's fully expected to get an opportunity somewhere.
update: missed a 39 yarder Week 9, went 2/3 Week 10 - made from 39 & 44, missed from 53 which would have won the game. Now 17-of-22 on the season; the misses were from 39, 51, 53, 58, 62.
Last edited:
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Just to play some devil's advocacy on Bates, he does have a slim resume with a career sample size of only 17 attempts. Also the UFL doesn't kick extra points so that's even less to go on from a consistency standpoint. NFL teams expect their kickers to be almost automatic when it comes to PATs, and there is no evidence of that one way or the other. The long foot is intriguing I will admit. 
TheWinz
Footballguy
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco reports Commanders kicker Brandon McManus is being accused of sexual assault dating back to 2023 during his time with the Jaguars.
According to DiRocco, ESPN obtained court documents stating that McManus allegedly assaulted two women during the Jaguars’ flight to London last season. In the lawsuit filed on Friday in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, the women, who are identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, allege that McManus rubbed himself against them and was grinding against them. It also accuses the Jaguars of failing to supervise McManus and create a safe environment for the airplane staff. We have no staff from McManus at this time, and the Jaguars have reportedly declined to comment through a spokesman, according to DiRocco. The victims are reportedly seeking more than $1 million and are demanding a jury trial. McManus signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Commanders earlier this offseason after going 30-for-37 on field goal attempts. We’ll likely know more about this situation in the coming days and will provide any additional updates as they come. Shortly after news of the lawsuit broke, the Commanders released a statement saying, “Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”
According to DiRocco, ESPN obtained court documents stating that McManus allegedly assaulted two women during the Jaguars’ flight to London last season. In the lawsuit filed on Friday in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, the women, who are identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, allege that McManus rubbed himself against them and was grinding against them. It also accuses the Jaguars of failing to supervise McManus and create a safe environment for the airplane staff. We have no staff from McManus at this time, and the Jaguars have reportedly declined to comment through a spokesman, according to DiRocco. The victims are reportedly seeking more than $1 million and are demanding a jury trial. McManus signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Commanders earlier this offseason after going 30-for-37 on field goal attempts. We’ll likely know more about this situation in the coming days and will provide any additional updates as they come. Shortly after news of the lawsuit broke, the Commanders released a statement saying, “Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
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