Why Matt Bryant?

[Yakuza Rich]

I know he was in camp a couple of years ago and would have more than likely beat out Billy "Can't Kick" Cundiff, but would he really be an upgrade? He couldn't make it with the Giants. Tampa would rather have Cundiff than Bryant. We have to get either Vinateri or Longwell. Forget Bryant.

Tampa actually wants Bryant back, but are afraid they won't be able to re-sign him, so they signed Cundiff just in case. If Bryant re-signs with them, there's about a 99% chance that Cundiff is gone.

There's also a good chance that they won't be able to sign either Longwell or Vinatieri due to both being local legends in their respective areas. Got to look at possible alternatives.

Bryant was very good last and considering how awful the Tampa long snapping situation was last season, he was even better than his stats indicate.


Rich......

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Well, let's shop and compare and see what makes the most sense to spend for a kicker when we have many needs and a desire to maintain a good cap position:


Bryant: 2005: 21-25 yr.--84% (10-11 from 40-49 yards);100% XP. Will be 31 years old next season. Relatively inexpensive. Kick offs probably not quite as strong as the others.


Longwell: 2005: 20-27 yr.--74.1%;96.8% XP. Will be 32 years old next year. Will probably be more expensive than Bryant, but probably has the stronger leg.


Vinateiri: 2005: 20-25 yr.--80%; 97.6% XP. Will turn 34 years old in December '06. VERY expensive $$, clutch kicker. Probably between Longwell and Bryant for leg strength and kickoffs.

Knowing Jerry doesn't want to spend a ton of $$ for a kicker, but we MUST upgrade, Bryant makes the most sense. Parcells liked him 2 years ago, comparing him to Matt Bahr, but he got an injury before the last cut.

So you see, Bryant's probably the choice. Makes sense to me.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Here's their average kickoffs over the last two seasons:

KICKER.............YEAR...............AVG KICKOFF DISTANCE

Bryant..............2005.................62.7

Bryant..............2004.................62.3


Vinatieri............2005.................62.4

Vinatieri............2004.................63.0


Longwell...........2005.................61.7

Longwell...........2004.................59.7


It's tough to be too accurate given the conditions that Longwell and Vinatieri have kicked in over Bryant (played for Indy, Miami, and TB during this time frame). I think it's safe to say that Vinatieri has the best kickoff leg of the bunch and I'd say that Longwell and Bryant are about even.

I also checked and saw that Bryant is from Orange, TX and played at Baylor, so I wouldn't be surprised if that plays a role in his decision.


Rich.......

 

[Alexander]

Our kicking woes cost us 3 games last year. What kind of a price do you put on that? Vinateiri is an expensive answer. But you see what happens when you go cheap.

Going with Matt Bryant isn't cheap. It is fiscally responsible.

Otherwise, you are spending three million for insurance. Or you are spending a three million dollar contract for a player that could easily go into a slump. And you are basically telling yourself that playing close games that come down to a FG to decide it.

As Jerry Jones stated, it would be better to score more points first rather than thinking a FG solves all of our problems.

What we need is a step up from Cortez and Cundfiff. I think Bryant is just that.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...you have to have a level of consistency. One you think the team can win with.

Tthat's all we can hope for without dropping a couple million for a signing bonus and a million per year on salary.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Going with Matt Bryant isn't cheap. It is fiscally responsible.

Otherwise, you are spending three million for insurance. Or you are spending a three million dollar contract for a player that could easily go into a slump. And you are basically telling yourself that playing close games that come down to a FG to decide it.

As Jerry Jones stated, it would be better to score more points first rather than thinking a FG solves all of our problems.

What we need is a step up from Cortez and Cundfiff. I think Bryant is just that.

Agreed 100%.

 

[bula]

Living in Tampa and seeing Bryant kick in many games for the Bucs, I have to say he is one of the most reliable kickers in the league. He's experienced and very steady when the pressure is on.

If the Cowboys picked him up, I guarantee he will win games for us. And he'll save us at least a million in salary as well over Viniteri or Vanderjack.