Janikowski

[Verdict]

Everyone bashed Al Davis for being crazy for taking a kicker in the first round. I guess one could still take that position on the pick, but Janikowski is in his 17th year playing for the Raiders. If that isn't the definition of longevity, I don't know what it.

I would much rather have a stud at another position for the pick, but how much better is a pick like that vs a pass rushing bust that we have seen over and over again, even in the top 10?

Hindsight is definitely 20/20. It is just sort of interesting to review controversial decisions like this after the fact.

 

[Bigdog]

He also picked a Hall of Fame punter in the 1st rd name Ray Guy.

 

[Verdict]

Yeah. It's not that it would not have been better to have a HOF player at another position but you can't deny the production, and it's a hell of a lot better than a whiff and a miss on a player. It is amazing how many whiffs there have been on pass rushing defensive ends in the draft, even in the top 10.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Still a terrible pick IMO. There's no guarantee that a kicker will be that good during the draft...you may have the most impressive kicking prospect of all time but it's such a mental game that all it takes is a few big missed kicks in their career to never be the same. Janikowski has had a long career as a solid kicker but it's not like he's been the undisputed best over the last 10-15 years. There have been plenty of other kickers who were just as good or better and didn't cost a high draft pick.

Even the kicker the Cowboys saw today - Phil Dawson is in his 18th season and statistically, has been a better kicker than Janikowski. He was undrafted.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Terrible pick, but I gotta give credit to Sebass he has had a great career. Plus anytime someone mentions it, he can always say he outlasted everyone else in that draft

 

[joseephuss]

Janikowski has made 80.17% of his field goals during his career.

The league average over that same time period is 81.87%.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Janikowski has made 80.17% of his field goals during his career.

The league average over that same time period is 81.87%.

not really a super great comparison...id bet janikowski kicked tons of much longer field goals than the average, and those, because of distance, have a lower completion rating by far.

 

[joseephuss]

Terrible pick, but I gotta give credit to Sebass he has had a great career. Plus anytime someone mentions it, he can always say he outlasted everyone else in that draft

The Raiders drafted punter Shane Lechler in the 5th round of the same draft as Janikowski. Lechler is still playing and has been one of the best punters in league history. He has the highest career average of yards per punt. Janikowski has been better than average even though his numbers say he is just below average. Still not worth a 1st round pick.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Everyone bashed Al Davis for being crazy for taking a kicker in the first round. I guess one could still take that position on the pick, but Janikowski is in his 17th year playing for the Raiders. If that isn't the definition of longevity, I don't know what it.

Longevity yes. But still a bad draft pick.

 

[John813]

Dude has a monster leg, but his accuracy has never impressed me.

 

[joseephuss]

not really a super great comparison...id bet janikowski kicked tons of much longer field goals than the average, and those, because of distance, have a lower completion rating by far.

If you take away all attempts of over 50 yards Janikowski has converted 85.90% of his attempts. The league average over that time is 84.95%.

The league average per team is 3.44 FGA over 50 yards per season. Sanikowski averages 5.78 FGA over 50 yards per season.

Janikowski has converted 56.38% of his fieldgoal attempts over 50 yards. The league average over his career is 58.12%.

Dan Bailey so far averages 5.90 FGA over 50 yards per season converting 74.19% of those attempts.

 

[haleyrules]

Longevity yes. But still a bad draft pick.

Crazy Al. It seems to me that at the time no other club would have used their 1st rounder on a kicker!! So, Al really didnt need to go that extreme!! That makes it a bad pick.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

If you take away all attempts of over 50 yards Janikowski has converted 85.90% of his attempts. The league average over that time is 84.95%.

The league average per team is 3.44 FGA over 50 yards per season. Sanikowski averages 5.78 FGA over 50 yards per season.

Janikowski has converted 56.38% of his fieldgoal attempts over 50 yards. The league average over his career is 58.12%.

Dan Bailey so far averages 5.90 FGA over 50 yards per season converting 74.19% of those attempts.

Oh I am not saying dan isnt a total beast.

Also in reading, I found that janikowski's conversion rate will be lower because of the mixed use field they play on and open air stadium. dunno how much that affects it tho.