The Tennessee Titans head into training camp with two kickers on their roster. Incumbent starter, Greg Joseph, looks to ward off the undrafted free agent rookie out of Missouri, Tucker McCann.
And while the Titans’ brass has expressed faith in Joseph, the team needs more competition in the building. Another deep playoff run is highly unlikely if the team is handicapped by the kicker position once again in 2020.
In September 2019, former kicker Ryan Succop was placed on injured reserve after he didn’t feel he was ready following offseason knee surgery — and the kicker carousel began, leading to the Titans finishing with the worst field goal unit in the NFL.
He attempted a comeback in November, but by December was placed on IR once more after proving ineffective, ending his season. Joseph took the reins from there, but attempted just one field goal during his brief stint.
Uncertainty at a position capable of winning important games is not a something the Titans can afford, especially in a season where the team has Super Bowl aspirations.
As luck would have it, the Carolina Panthers released veteran and former Pro Bowler, kicker Graham Gano, on Thursday.
Gano has dealt with injury the past few years, but has been a mostly reliable kicker during his career, posting a career field goal success rate of 82.1 percent. He made a career-high 96.7 percent of kicks in 2017.
I’m not saying Gano is the answer, but he would add some much-needed experience to the kicker competition in Nashville.
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