cowboyjoe
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Commanders dump Suisham, sign Gano
Two days after place kicker Shaun Suisham's missed chip-shot field goal contributed to an overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Commanders today waived the five-year veteran and signed Graham Gano after kicking tryouts at Commanders Park.
Gano won the Lou Groza award at Florida State and kicked most recently for Las Vegas of the UFL. After the UFL season ended, he tried out last week for the New York Giants.
For the Commanders, re-signing Dave Rayner, the only other place kicker in training camp, was not an option. When the team released him on Sept. 5, Rayner was given an injury settlement, which bars him from kicking again in 2009.
Owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, decided to make a change at the position after Suisham - in his third full season in the role for the Commanders - failed to deliver late in the 33-30 overtime loss to the Saints at FedEx Field. With 1 minute 56 remaining in regulation, the Commanders lined up for a 23-yard field-goal attempt that would have extended their lead to 10 points. The ball sailed wide right.
After Suisham's miss, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees quickly directed a 33-second, five-play, 80-yard drive that ended on his 53-yard touchdown pass in the middle of the field to uncovered wide receiver Robert Meachem. Fullback Mike Sellers fumbled on the first possession of overtime, the Saints recovered the ball and won on place kicker Garrett Hartley's 18-yard field goal at the 8:31 mark.
In addition to Sellers's lost fumble, the Saints also scored a touchdown off a long fumble recovery after a Commanders interception and were aided on another touchdown drive when they regained possession of a punted ball that hit a Commanders player. Moreover, the Commanders secondary continued to play poorly in deep coverage against double-move routes as free safety LaRon Landry was beaten for two long touchdown passes - the latter of which helped to tie the score at 30-30 with only 1:19 to play in the fourth quarter.
In the locker room after the game, Suisham, who converted his other three attempts against the Saints, fought back tears while shouldering responsibility for the loss. Many players publicly supported Suisham, saying others also did not perform well, but some of his teammates were critical. Said Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth: "We've all got to do our job. I can't really say anything. We've got to do what we're here to do."
Suisham performed well at his job for most of the season. After holding off Rayner in a kicking competition during camp, Suisham made his first 12 field-goal attempts this season. But in a 7-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11, Suisham missed a 39-yarder at the end of the first half and a 50-yarder with 7:12 seconds to go in the fourth.
Overall, Suisham went 18 for 21 on field goals (85.7 percent). Last season, he was only 26 for 36 (72.2 percent). He also has made 20 of 21 point-after attempts. Place kickers, however, are mainly judged on their ability to deliver in the clutch.
Suisham is vested for termination pay, so the Commanders owe him the remaining balance on his contract, assuming he is not claimed off waivers. Suisham has a salary of $1.01 million, according to a league source familiar with his contract, and still is owed about $238,000.
Two days after place kicker Shaun Suisham's missed chip-shot field goal contributed to an overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Commanders today waived the five-year veteran and signed Graham Gano after kicking tryouts at Commanders Park.
Gano won the Lou Groza award at Florida State and kicked most recently for Las Vegas of the UFL. After the UFL season ended, he tried out last week for the New York Giants.
For the Commanders, re-signing Dave Rayner, the only other place kicker in training camp, was not an option. When the team released him on Sept. 5, Rayner was given an injury settlement, which bars him from kicking again in 2009.
Owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, decided to make a change at the position after Suisham - in his third full season in the role for the Commanders - failed to deliver late in the 33-30 overtime loss to the Saints at FedEx Field. With 1 minute 56 remaining in regulation, the Commanders lined up for a 23-yard field-goal attempt that would have extended their lead to 10 points. The ball sailed wide right.
After Suisham's miss, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees quickly directed a 33-second, five-play, 80-yard drive that ended on his 53-yard touchdown pass in the middle of the field to uncovered wide receiver Robert Meachem. Fullback Mike Sellers fumbled on the first possession of overtime, the Saints recovered the ball and won on place kicker Garrett Hartley's 18-yard field goal at the 8:31 mark.
In addition to Sellers's lost fumble, the Saints also scored a touchdown off a long fumble recovery after a Commanders interception and were aided on another touchdown drive when they regained possession of a punted ball that hit a Commanders player. Moreover, the Commanders secondary continued to play poorly in deep coverage against double-move routes as free safety LaRon Landry was beaten for two long touchdown passes - the latter of which helped to tie the score at 30-30 with only 1:19 to play in the fourth quarter.
In the locker room after the game, Suisham, who converted his other three attempts against the Saints, fought back tears while shouldering responsibility for the loss. Many players publicly supported Suisham, saying others also did not perform well, but some of his teammates were critical. Said Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth: "We've all got to do our job. I can't really say anything. We've got to do what we're here to do."
Suisham performed well at his job for most of the season. After holding off Rayner in a kicking competition during camp, Suisham made his first 12 field-goal attempts this season. But in a 7-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 11, Suisham missed a 39-yarder at the end of the first half and a 50-yarder with 7:12 seconds to go in the fourth.
Overall, Suisham went 18 for 21 on field goals (85.7 percent). Last season, he was only 26 for 36 (72.2 percent). He also has made 20 of 21 point-after attempts. Place kickers, however, are mainly judged on their ability to deliver in the clutch.
Suisham is vested for termination pay, so the Commanders owe him the remaining balance on his contract, assuming he is not claimed off waivers. Suisham has a salary of $1.01 million, according to a league source familiar with his contract, and still is owed about $238,000.
