Field Goal Kickers

[SA_CowboyFan]

Is is that FG are somehow harder to make these days, or does the quality of kickers just suck? It seems like there are no automatic kickers like there used to be. I see missed FG all the time now. Even the short ones aren't a given anymore.

On that note, did anyone notice that San Fran signed Cortez and he went 0/1 this past Sunday?

 

[fortdick]

On that note, did anyone notice that San Fran signed Cortez and he went 0/1 this past Sunday?

Now the circle is complete, Obi-Wan.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Quality kickers are in short supply. I really think that the increased popularity of soccer in this country has hurt the kicking game in general. 10-15 or more years ago, the kid who grew up playing soccer was pressured to join the football team by family and friends, now he just sticks with soccer.

Look at kickers like Chris and Matt Bahr. Their father was a somewhat prominent soccer coach but they saw their future kicking a football. Today their future would probably be MLS. MLS also accounts for missing out on some strong legs that are willing to come to this country but aren't quite good enough to play in any of the major European leagues.

I don't know how many have noticed the influx of Austrailian Rulers amongst the punting ranks. They're simply following the money. When they can make more with Australian Rules Football, we'll all be lamenting the lack of quality punters.

 

[Bullet22]

Bring back the straight onkicker with the tied up steel toed shoe...

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Bring back the straight onkicker with the tied up steel toed shoe...

We actually saw that this year sans the steel shoe with Simoneau .

 

[spindoc]

I find it odd that fans, players, and coaches belittle kickers so much. You will here people say, "he's just a kicker" or he's not a "real football player." People say this even though a kicker is one of the most important positions on a team. Look at how good our record would be if we had a great kicker. People need to start realizing that today's NFL requires you to have a good kicker and teams would be smart to pay the necessary respect/money.

 

[Manoso]

They should also be required to make a tackle when needed because when they are the ones who make the tackle it's usually to save a run back TD. It doesn't help their image too much when you see a kicker fall down prior to a tackle.

 

[TheSkaven]

Good observation, and I don't have an answer to the question. Even teams who spent the money (and draft pick) on a player like Janikowski haven't seen consistent production.

Kickers are very underrated in football today. I equate them to closers in baseball. I have no idea why a GM would feel compelled to pay a kicker a minimum salary almost as an afterthought, yet that same GM would pay $2mil for the 3rd string WR.