Will Vanderjagt be released tomorrow?

[AbeBeta]

He was not brought here to kick like this. Jerry did not pay big money for this type of performance.

I'm not arguing with you about that. I'm saying he's got some time to turn it around.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm not arguing with you about that. I'm saying he's got some time to turn it around.

True, but if he continues to kick like he has I would not be suprised to see Dallas bring in some kickers and have them workout for us. My hope is Vandy gets it going but I can see a situation where Dallas starts bringing players in if he can't get it going.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

From the nerve center of accurate thought, thoughtful thoughfullness and the supreme truth:

Men, BP (and Jerry if the coach whines hard enough) is not above releasing this overpaid underachiever to prove a point (albeit a very expensive one) that YOU GOTTA PRODUCE.

If a player cant block, if a RB cant take a handoff and hold on to the ball, if a WR cant follow routes, he'd be benched or released. BP cant bench Vander because of the kicker's singular status. But he can get rid of this guy to prove a huge point.

And the point is, again, YOU GOTTA PRODUCE.

Happy Thanksgiving, men. Pass the gravy.

P.S.: there is this kid from Oklahoma state who was not drafted this year . . . . (JK)

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Where's Jeff Goolily these days?

I would take a look at Morton Anderson at this point.... what is he 46 years old....

 

[Hostile]

I would take a look at Morton Anderson at this point.... what is he 46 years old....

You mean the guy playing for the Atlanta Falcons?

 

[5Stars]

From the nerve center of accurate thought, thoughtful thoughfullness and the supreme truth:

Men, BP (and Jerry if the coach whines hard enough) is not above releasing this overpaid underachiever to prove a point (albeit a very expensive one) that YOU GOTTA PRODUCE.

If a player cant block, if a RB cant take a handoff and hold on to the ball, if a WR cant follow routes, he'd be benched or released. BP cant bench Vander. But he can get rid of this guy to prove a huge point.

And the point is, again, YOU GOTTA PRODUCE.

Happy Thanksgiving, men. Pass the gravy.

P.S.: there is this kid from Oklahoma state who was not drafted this year . . . . (JK)

It would be nice if you were on a real radio...that way I could turn it off!

 

[StanleySpadowski]

It looks to me like Vanderjagt's problems are with his shoulders. It almost looks like he gets out of parallel with the ground on his plant step causing a push.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

You mean the guy playing for the Atlanta Falcons?

I see that.

How about Gary Anderson?

 

[Bullet22]

Man his kick are strong, but all even the extra points go to the right.....

 

[AbeBeta]

True, but if he continues to kick like he has I would not be suprised to see Dallas bring in some kickers and have them workout for us. My hope is Vandy gets it going but I can see a situation where Dallas starts bringing players in if he can't get it going.

I can't see anyone coming in and taking his job - if there was a guy out there who could hit 40+ yard FGs regularly, he'd have a job right now -- Vanderjagt is at 70% overall right now which is not great. However, a number of factors make that average lower that it should be.

First, the blocked kick in Washington -- he gets blocking on that and he's at 77%. Second, our red zone efficiency - I don't have exact #s on this but it is clear that we are doing very well when we get to the red zone (e.g., Barber's 9 TDs) -- on a less efficient red zone team, Vanderjagt would have at least 5 more short attempts - similarly, we passed up two chip shots for him in Az.

I certainly don't think he's having a great year -- but the 70% can be a bit misleading.

 

[BlueStar II]

Like others on here, I am also frustrated with Vandershank this year. The fact that Jones invested a nice chunk of money in him, and another important point, there really aren't a lot of "reliable", unemployed kickers out there who would be an upgrade over him, limits our options at this point I'm afraid.

 

[sjordan6]

i do think that BP is probably more annoyed with Vandy than he could ever be with T.O. (and no I will not be like BSPN and make everything about T.O.). But Vanderjerk has probably pushed his patience and I bet my lunch money that he brings in a kicker next week to at least compete with him.

Have you noticed the field position teams are getting because of his kick-offs and you know that just eats BP alive inside. Indy average start was at least the 30 to 35 yard line and his kickoffs always reach around the 6 to 10 yard line. Couple that with missed kicks inside 50 yards and this spells s-u-c-k-s!

he may not get cut because he makes too much money but I bet BP opens up his can of options and lets him know that he is not above being bench. I strongly believe Vandy has already wore out his welcome in Dallas because he is not dependable even if he goes 100%. Like Indy his walk on water attitude and never says the right thing interviews and too valuable to kick off prima donna ways was too much for a kicker who will go down as the best in history.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I can't see anyone coming in and taking his job - if there was a guy out there who could hit 40+ yard FGs regularly, he'd have a job right now -- Vanderjagt is at 70% overall right now which is not great. However, a number of factors make that average lower that it should be.

First, the blocked kick in Washington -- he gets blocking on that and he's at 77%. Second, our red zone efficiency - I don't have exact #s on this but it is clear that we are doing very well when we get to the red zone (e.g., Barber's 9 TDs) -- on a less efficient red zone team, Vanderjagt would have at least 5 more short attempts - similarly, we passed up two chip shots for him in Az.

I certainly don't think he's having a great year -- but the 70% can be a bit misleading.

You are assuming that he makes that kick in Washington.

Yeah its misleading that he missed 2 kicks in a row with that "laser rocket" leg of his.

Keep making excuses for his misses... I assure you... you will run out of excuses.

 

[phillycard]

The bottom line is whether you can count on him to win a game for you. I don't think if the game comes down to it on Thursday that any of you would feel good about those chances. He was brought to Dallas to win games, not stink it up. Big time kickers make big time kicks. Almost any of the kickers you guys have let go the past 3 years could do what he's doing.

 

[Chuck 54]

You guys are unrealistic.

Worst Case Scenerio: Vanderjacht keeps on his current pace and only makes about 70% of his kicks...huge disappointment, but he still won't be replaced...do you actually think kickers are standing on the street corner who will make 80% of their kicks???

Give it up...there is a problem...hopefully it will be fixed because it has nothing to do with power...he's striking the ball dead on and getting lots of distance...even his kickoffs made it to the five with hang time yesterday.

But even if it doesn't get fixed, it would be stupid to cut him...we have no one else...we're paying him anyway, so work with him...period.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

The bottom line is whether you can count on him to win a game for you. I don't think if the game comes down to it on Thursday that any of you would feel good about those chances. He was brought to Dallas to win games, not stink it up. Big time kickers make big time kicks.

Yeah and THAT kicker is on the Colts.

 

[Hostile]

Man his kick are strong, but all even the extra points go to the right.....

Right which means he is arriving at the ball early or about 4 inches too deep and is pushing the ball.

Mechanics can be corrected. It's on his shoulders to do this.

He's like a grasshopper; impressive distance but his direction sucks.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

But even if it doesn't get fixed, it would be stupid to cut him...we have no one else...we're paying him anyway, so work with him...period.

I used to work at this restaurant in which the cook was stinking up the place. He didn't show up after drinking all night. He served under and overcooked food. And he was paid a good living.
Fortunately, the management didn't go along with that rationale that it was already paying him, so keep him.
The management didn't work with him. He was replaced. The food was better. Customers came back.
What is my point?
My point is always eat at home. Wait. No. my point is Vandy is on thin ice, Lucy. BP is original if anything and could have a prospect already lined up just to teach the team and assorted ilk a lesson about production. And Jerry has deep pockets. Especially if he thinks this team has a shot at the playoffs.
And 70 percent don't mean a thing if it is a BIG game or the playoffs and he stinks up the place. Adjustments, my ash.:bang2:

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Right which means he is arriving at the ball early or about 4 inches too deep and is pushing the ball.

Mechanics can be corrected. It's on his shoulders to do this.

He's like a grasshopper; impressive distance but his direction sucks.

While I will agree that mechanics are a problem for him... if it wasnt mental before... it is getting to be that way now. That is harder to overcome than mechanics.

Its almost like he is afraid to kick it. Much like AROD in NY. It has become TOO mental and he is pressing.

He is already thinking of the result before the action.

 

[Concord]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061120/COLUMNISTS01/611200365

IndyStar.com Columnists Bob Kravitz

November 20, 2006


Bob Kravitz
Suffering a loss could be a blessing in disguise

Is Mike Vanderjagt an unholy mess, or what? At the risk of attempting to speak for the Colts Nation, I'm going to suggest that the emotion fans felt while watching Vandy push two kicks off to the right was what the Germans call schadenfreude.
He looks cooked, mentally cooked. Like David Duval or Ian Baker-Finch, once-great golfers who suddenly forgot how to hit the ball cleanly.
He used to be the cockiest guy in the building. Sunday, he missed two more kicks, giving him five misses this season, and he was as lonely as a guy can look among 63,000 people.
There can be absolutely no question that the playoff miss last season against Pittsburgh -- search-and-rescue teams are still trying to find that football -- planted a seed of doubt that has germinated into fully-blown anxiety.
"I apologize to the team and to the fans,'' he said after the game.
Suffice to say, he won't be trying those kicks on David Letterman's TV show this week. He looks so sad, he's an almost sympathetic figure. Notice I wrote, "almost.''
At least he didn't kick the game-winner. Now that would have been painful.


Bob Kravitz is a columnist for The Indianapolis Star. Call him at (317) 444-6643 or e-mail [email protected].


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