Dan Bailey: Best Kicker in NFL History?

[links18]

Last night Gruden said Bailey is arguably the best kicker in NFL history. Not in the league today, but in NFL history. Is it too soon for those kind of accolades or is this a legitimate discussion right now?

 

[Beats_By_Zeke]

I like to see him make a clutch Super Bowl winning kick. Then I'll get the annoiting oil out.

 

[big dog cowboy]

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/fg_perc_career.htm

Rank Player FG% Years Tm
1 Dan Bailey 89.796% 2011-2017 dal
2 Justin Tucker 89.529% 2012-2017 rav
3 Kai Forbath 87.379% 2012-2017 3TM
4 Stephen Gostkowski 87.252% 2006-2017 nwe
5 Steven Hauschka 87.111% 2008-2017 4TM
6 Mike Vanderjagt 86.466% 1998-2006 2TM
7 Nate Kaeding 86.190% 2004-2012 2TM
8 Robbie Gould 86.136% 2005-2017 3TM
9 Matt Bryant 85.930% 2002-2017 5TM
10 Rob Bironas 85.663% 2005-2013 oti
11 Shayne Graham 85.494% 2001-2015 10T
12 Cairo Santos 84.762% 2014-2017 kan
13 Blair Walsh 84.663% 2012-2017 2TM
14 Adam Vinatieri 84.227% 1996-2017 2TM
15 Phil Dawson 84.156% 1999-2017 3TM
16 Shaun Suisham 84.064% 2005-2014 3TM
17 Dan Carpenter 83.986% 2008-2016 2TM
18 Josh Brown 83.947% 2003-2016 4TM
19 Connor Barth 83.684% 2008-2017 4TM
20 Matt Stover 83.659% 1991-2009 3TM

 

[jchap]

I'd like to see him kick a ball which hits a would be assassin saving the life of the president before I get out the anointing oil

 

[jazzcat22]

Yes, as far as % is concerned. Bailey is the most accurate kicker. He and Jason Ticker from Baltimore have been switching back and forth the past year. Bailey was in the lead, but a few misses last year put Tucker in front. Bailey reclaimed that this year.

Bailey has never missed an extra point.

 

[jazzcat22]

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/fg_perc_career.htm

Rank Player FG% Years Tm
1 Dan Bailey 89.796% 2011-2017 dal
2 Justin Tucker 89.529% 2012-2017 rav
3 Kai Forbath 87.379% 2012-2017 3TM
4 Stephen Gostkowski 87.252% 2006-2017 nwe
5 Steven Hauschka 87.111% 2008-2017 4TM
6 Mike Vanderjagt 86.466% 1998-2006 2TM
7 Nate Kaeding 86.190% 2004-2012 2TM
8 Robbie Gould 86.136% 2005-2017 3TM
9 Matt Bryant 85.930% 2002-2017 5TM
10 Rob Bironas 85.663% 2005-2013 oti
11 Shayne Graham 85.494% 2001-2015 10T
12 Cairo Santos 84.762% 2014-2017 kan
13 Blair Walsh 84.663% 2012-2017 2TM
14 Adam Vinatieri 84.227% 1996-2017 2TM
15 Phil Dawson 84.156% 1999-2017 3TM
16 Shaun Suisham 84.064% 2005-2014 3TM
17 Dan Carpenter 83.986% 2008-2016 2TM
18 Josh Brown 83.947% 2003-2016 4TM
19 Connor Barth 83.684% 2008-2017 4TM
20 Matt Stover 83.659% 1991-2009 3TM

Must have posted this when I was typing my post...lol...

 

[Walker]

Dude should be in the hall of fame!

First kicker in the hall of fame

 

[perrykemp]

7 of the top 10 kickers of all time are currently playing.

It's crazy.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Pressure matters. Some kicks mean more than others. Vinatieri is the best, whatever the numbers say. (Frankly, he's the only memorable kicker of my lifetime. You could write the story of the NFL's history without mentioning a single kicker's name, except maybe Vinatieri.)

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Still can't believe he went undrafted. Think someone would have picked the guy at least in the 6th or 7th.

 

[links18]

Dude should be in the hall of fame!

First kicker in the hall of fame

Morten Andersen says hello.

 

[links18]

7 of the top 10 kickers of all time are currently playing.

It's crazy.

Maybe they should move the extra point line back to mid field?

 

[JD_KaPow]

Yeah, his percentage is slightly higher than Tucker's, but that's a little misleading. Bailey has never tried a field goal longer than 56 yards. Tucker is 1-4 on such FGs, from 57, 58, 61 and 64 (he made the 61-yarder). From 56 yards in, Tucker has the higher percentage. Personally, I'd give the edge to Tucker right now (he was much better than Bailey last year).

 

[Proximo]

I remember one time during the 90's we won a game, in which we scored 21 points, and all of those points were by way of field goals. 7 field goals. I believe that was a record, and the kicker was Chris Boniol (maybe not spelled right). AND, if my memory is correct it was against the Eagles and they were super duper butt hurt at the conclusion of the game because the final field goal was not necessary and was kicked only for the purpose of getting the record.

For some reason this thread reminded me of that. But, to stay on topic, yes, DB may end up being the GOAT kicker.

 

[JD_KaPow]

I remember one time during the 90's we won a game, in which we scored 21 points, and all of those points were by way of field goals. 7 field goals. I believe that was a record, and the kicker was Chris Boniol (maybe not spelled right). AND, if my memory is correct it was against the Eagles and they were super duper butt hurt at the conclusion of the game because the final field goal was not necessary and was kicked only for the purpose of getting the record.

For some reason this thread reminded me of that. But, to stay on topic, yes, DB may end up being the GOAT kicker.

You're right, except it was against the Packers and it was Reggie White who was complaining about the 7th FG.

The funny thing about that game was that the final score was 21-6, which is a totally normal football score except that the 21 came on FGs and the 6 came on a TD.

 

[links18]

You're right, except it was against the Packers and it was Reggie White who was complaining about the 7th FG.

The funny thing about that game was that the final score was 21-6, which is a totally normal football score except that the 21 came on FGs and the 6 came on a TD.

Yeah, Reggie White was trying to arrange a duel with Switzer in the parking lot after that one. But Barry said he wasn't going to take the record away from the kid when they were that close.

 

[Silverstar]

Bailey does his job well, but I think game winning kicks are what separates kickers.

Whoever has the most game winning kicks is the best IMO.

Anyone have that stat?

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Best kicker in Dallas Cowboys history, yes. Bailey has had that title locked down for a few years already.

To be the best in NFL history, he will have to remain as accurate as he's been and probably play well into his 40's, two things which could happen very easily.

 

[Virginia-Dave]

I love me some Dan Bailey, but you can't call anyone "the greatest in history" until their career is over, or nearly over. Being excellent over a long career, that is what will earn Bailey that title. There have been a lot of kickers that were great, right up until they fell off a cliff (hello Mike Vanderjagt). Remember how awesome Nick Folk was for us for a few years? Then one day his mental game fell apart. I hope that never happens to Bailey, but only time will tell.

 

[Silverstar]

Bailey does his job well, but I think game winning kicks are what separates kickers.

Whoever has the most game winning kicks is the best IMO.

Anyone have that stat?

Nevermind, I think I found it.

http://www.footballperspective.com/fourth-quarterovertime-game-winning-field-goals-part-ii/

It looks like Morten Anderson...and now he's in the HOF.

Hmmm interesting!