Tag: indianapolis colts football

Indianapolis Colts waive former Georgia Bulldog kicker

The Indianapolis Colts have released kicker Rodrigo Blankenship after missing a critical field goal attempt against the Houston Texans.

The Indianapolis Colts have waived former Georgia Bulldog star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship. The Colts tied the Houston Texans 20-20 to open the 2022 NFL season.

Blankenship missed a 42-yard game-winning field goal attempt for the Colts during overtime in Week 1. The Colts were frustrated with tying the Texans, who were one of the NFL’s worst teams in 2021.

Rodrigo Blankenship won a kicker competition for his job last season. The former Georgia standout has made 45 out of 54 kicks during his NFL career. Additionally, Blankenship has connected on 52 out of 55 extra points.

Former Georgia Bulldogs place kicker Rodrigo Blankenship was a fan favorite during his time in Athens. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Blankenship made two of three field goals against the Texans, but that was not enough for the Colts, who will look elsewhere for a kicker. Blankenship, who missed much of last season with a hip injury, has made one field goal over 50 yards in his NFL career.

The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news.

Rodrigo Blankenship will likely get another opportunity in the NFL. He’s been counted out before.

The Colts signed a pair of kickers in a corresponding move.

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LOOK: Former Wisconsin Badgers report to NFL training camp

Take a look at former Wisconsin Badgers in their first few days at NFL training camp:

Every NFL team reported for the first week of training camp earlier this week, and many former Wisconsin Badgers are getting ready to start the new season.

Related: Two Badgers Ranked in PFF’s 50 Best Players in the NFL

A few Badgers moved to new teams this offseason, including quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos and outside linebacker Vince Biegel to the Ravens. There were also quite a few players drafted or signed as undrafted free agents from Wisconsin this year, so it should be an exciting camp for fans to tune into.

Below are some photos of former Wisconsin Badgers in their first few days at NFL training camp:

Former UGA star K Rodrigo Blankenship beats out Florida alum for Colts kicking job

Rodrigo will return as the Indianapolis Colts’ starting kicker.

For Georgia fans, any win over the Florida Gators is worth celebrating , even though the Bulldogs are use to being in the win column, going 3-1 over Florida in the last four years.

Former Georgia star kicker Rodrigo ‘Hot-rod’ Blankenship just got one of those wins, beating out former Florida Gator Eddy Piñeiro to win the Indianapolis Colts’ kicking duties, per NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Blankenship was the favorite to do so after a fantastic rookie season where he finished fifth in the NFL in field goals made (32) with an 86.5% field goal percentage and this wild game-winner versus the Packers.

Not bad for an undrafted free agent.

Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs place kicker Rodrigo Blankenship (98) celebrates with offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (69) after a field goal against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia fans remember the Marietta, Ga., native most for his stylish goggles and some big time kicks. There is probably none bigger than this kick versus Oklahoma in the 2018 Rose Bowl, which set the historic bowl’s record for the longest field goal ever at 55-yards.

You can catch Rodrigo and the Colts in their final preseason game versus the Lions on Friday at 7:00 p.m.

Former Georgia Bulldog named one of college football’s top walk-ons ever

Former Georgia Bulldog Rodrigo Blakenship named one of college football’s top walk-ons ever

Former Georgia Bulldog star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has been named one of the top walk-ons of all time. Blankenship is ranked as the No. 46 best walk-on ever.

Blankenship is the only Georgia player on the list, which is headlined by Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield. At Oklahoma, Mayfield won the Burlsworth Trophy twice (2015 and 2016). The Burlsworth Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top walk-on player.

Baker Mayfield became the first walk-on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2017. Interestingly, Mayfield’s final career game came against the University of Georgia and Rodrigo Blankenship, who helped Georgia keep pace with Oklahoma’s high-powered offense.

Who will be college football’s next great walk-on?  There are too many walk-ons to consider any individual walk-on likely to become a star. Instead, the vast number of walk-ons is what allows there to be so many success stories.

It is always a great story when college football walk-ons earn full scholarships. Rodrigo Blankenship, who made a game-winning kick against Kentucky in 2016, did not get a full scholarship until the 2017 college football season.

For every Santana Moss, Rodrigo Blankenship, or Jordy Nelson there are dozens of walk-ons grinding to make the football team and paying full tuition.

Do you think that Blankenship is ranked too lowly in the list of the greatest college football walk-ons of all time?

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Best potential Matthew Stafford trade destinations

What are the best trade destinations for Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford? New England Patriots? San Francisco 49ers? Indianapolis Colts?

The Detroit Lions are looking to trade former No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford. Before coming to Detroit, Stafford played quarterback for three seasons at the University of Georgia.

Now, Stafford is looking for a new home. The problem is he carries a $33M cap hit for the 2021 season, so teams must have a large amount of cap space to trade for him.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Lions are already seeing a fair amount of interest in Matthew Stafford.

Here are the best trade destinations for Matthew Stafford among the most likely contenders:

WATCH: Jonathan Taylor flies for the longest TD run of his young career

Taylor explodes for a long TD

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Wisconsin Badger legend Jonathan Taylor is finally getting the workload many were asking for, and the Indianapolis Colts are reaping the rewards.

Taylor exploded for a 62-yard touchdown to give his Colts a ten point advantage in the middle of the third quarter:

He now has 124 yards and a touchdown on the ground, to go with 15 receiving yards. There is still a fourth quarter to go, but the former Badger is already having a career day.

Former Georgia star ‘Hot Rod’ tops Pro Bowl voting among AFC kickers

Former Georgia Bulldogs star K Rodrigo Blankenship leads AFC kickers in Pro Bowl voting. Hot Rod has played well for the Indianapolis Colts

Former Georgia Bulldogs star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship leads AFC kickers in Pro Bowl voting. ‘Hot Rod’ went undrafted, but has been a standout after winning the starting job for the Indianapolis Colts.

Blankenship got off to an excellent start for the Colts. He has not been scoring as much recently. The University of Georgia great did make a game-winning kick against the Green Bay Packers to win 34-31 in overtime.

His heroic efforts make him worthy of a Pro Bowl vote this year. Blankenship along with fellow Georgia Bulldogs Justin Houston, Roquan Smith, Ben Jones, David Andrews, and more are deserving Pro Bowl candidates.

On the year, Rodrigo Blankenship has made 24 out of 27 field goal attempts. He has connected of 27 out of 30 extra point attempts as well. Blankenship has made the fourth most field goals of any kicker in the NFL. He ranks fifth in the NFL in points with 102.

Blankenship is a key reason why the Colts are 8-4 this season and in the AFC Playoff hunt.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the 2021 NFL Pro Bowl will not be played. As an alternative, the Pro Bowl will be held virtually and the contest will be streamed via Madden NFL 21. The game was originally scheduled to be played at brand-new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Jan. 31. 
Voting continues through Dec. 17.

Fans can vote for Rodrigo Blankenship by Retweeting this:

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Twitter reacts: Rodrigo Blankenship wins Colts’ job as starting kicker

Georgia Bulldogs kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting job at kicker for the Indianapolis Colts

Former Georgia Bulldogs star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting kicker job for the Indianapolis Colts over incumbent Chase McLaughlin. Blankenship will make his NFL debut Sept. 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Blankenship went undrafted in April’s NFL Draft but was quickly signed by the Indianapolis Colts.

Blankenship had a distinguished career at the University of Georgia. He instantly became a fan favorite after hitting a game-winning field goal at Kentucky in 2016. He went on to win the prestigious Lou Groza Award as a senior.

Blankenship earned a $20,000 signing bonus from the Colts according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The Colts don’t have a back up kicker on their practice squad indicating their confidence in Hot Rod. Blankenship, like all NFL kickers will have pressure on every kick, even extra points, since they are longer (33 yards) nowadays.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the new of Blankenship taking the starting role in Indianapolis:

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Former Georgia football star kicker Rodrigo ‘Hot Rod’ Blankenship showing early promise in Indianapolis

Reports from the Indianapolis Colts’ camp show former Georgia star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is doing well in his first NFL preseason camp

Early reports from the Indianapolis Colts’ camp show former Georgia star kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is doing well in his first NFL preseason camp.

Zak Keefer of The Athletic detailed some statistics from last weeks kicking competition between Blankenship and Chase McLaughlin, the Colt’s starting placekicker in 2019.

It’s great to see Hot Rod so dialed-in to his game this early in his NFL career.

We were shocked not to hear his name called during this year’s NFL Draft, but when he signed with the Colts, I knew he would have a good opportunity to showcase his consistency.

The Colts have had some terrific kickers in the past. The legend Adam Vinatieri, probably the best place kicker in NFL history and even punter Pat McAfee, who was voted to the NFL all-decade team (2010s).

The Colts will not likely name this season’s starter until closer to kickoff on Sept. 13, but with how Hot Rod is performing in camp so far, he is in a great spot to possibly start for Indianapolis this season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Georgia QB Jacob Eason signs rookie deal with Colts

Former Georgia football and Washington Huskies QB Jacob Eason has signed with the Indianapolis Colts, per his Instagram.

According to a post by Jacob Eason on his Instagram account, the former Georgia quarterback has signed his rookie deal with the Indianapolis Colts.

Eason was drafted with the No. 122 overall pick by the Colts last month in the 2020 NFL Draft.

After transferring from Georgia at the end of the 2017 season, Eason sat out a year due to NCAA rules and then started the 2019 season at quarterback for the Washington Huskies.

At Washington in 2019, Eason led the Huskies to an 8-5 record throwing for 3,132 yards with 23 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Eason was projected as one of the top 5 quarterbacks in this year’s draft but, along with former teammate Jake Fromm, was forced to wait a bit longer to hear his name called and was eventually taken in the fourth round.

With the Colts, Eason will have the opportunity to learn from newly signed veteran passer Phillip Rivers and compete for the back up position for 2020.

It’s nice to see Eason finally put pen to paper and be rewarded for his fortitude. The Lake Stevens native did some great things at Georgia and DawgNation will be rooting for him in Indianapolis.

There are no contract details at this time.