Tag: kicker

Chiefs Dave Toub shares his reason for signing rookie K Spencer Shrader: ‘He was our number one guy’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub shares his reason for signing rookie kicker Spencer Shrader: ‘He was our number one guy’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs were in scramble mode last week ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Harrison Butker’s injury and immediate placement on injured reserve led to the signing of rookie Spencer Shrader, as special teams coordinator Dave Toub explained the decision to reporters on Thursday.

“Every year, we rate all the kickers coming out. A lot like (Harrison) Butker, he (Spencer Shrader) was our number one guy coming out; we had him number one on our list,” said Toub. “He was a guy obviously we targeted, we looked at, and we liked him early, and then he was on the practice squad, so we took a shot and got him. We’re happy we got him. He’s got a strong leg. We haven’t seen a lot of him but in practice, he’s looked really good.”

Shrader is on his third team since going undrafted in April. He filled in for the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets before being signed off their practice squad last week. He didn’t have a field goal attempt with the Chiefs in Week 11 but did connect on his extra-point attempts.

Ravens kicker blames Week 11 field conditions for missed field goals

Justin Tucker says the field surface in Pittsburgh “wasn’t ideal” after missing two field goals in Week 11, while Chris Boswell was perfect.

Sorry, Justin Tucker: no one is buying the excuses you’re trying not to make for your lackluster Week 11 performance. For fans unaware of the recent developments behind Tucker’s post-game comments, the Ravens kicker initially accepted fault for his two missed field goals during the contest but ultimately pointed to poor field conditions in Pittsburgh as a contributing factor.

When asked if the field conditions at Acrisure Stadium directly contributed to his two missed field goals, Tucker tried to avoid deflecting blame, but ended up doing just that: “I wouldn’t say the surface was an issue, but it wasn’t ideal.” He doubled down on the less-than-ideal field claims, adding, “Throughout the course of the game, the most action takes place between the hashes, and it naturally just gets chewed up.”

While some speculated that the field conditions could have been affected by the Panthers-Clemson CFB game on Saturday, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell had no issues. Boswell made all six of his field goal attempts in Week 11, including an impressive 57-yard bomb.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid addresses the Harrison Butker injury: ‘We’ll see how it all goes’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addresses the Harrison Butker injury: ‘We’ll see how it all goes’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has managed to keep his team undefeated through numerous injuries and has added another starter to the growing list. The veteran coach announced to reporters on Friday the status of Harrison Butker after news broke on Thursday that the kicker will be placed on injured reserve.

“Alright, as far as the injuries go, (Harrison) Butker is the main one there. He did this in practice, tried it on Thursday and tried to warm up and get going and then wasn’t able to do it. Then, we took care of that.” said Reid. “Then, it was confirmed what it was, and so we – he ended up having surgery this morning.”

Butker’s injury is his meniscus, and he posted on social media that the surgery was successful early Friday morning. Reid also confirmed that he should be able to return this season once he’s healed from the procedure.

“So, the surgery was successful. We’ll see how it all goes, time-wise. I mean, I can’t tell you time-wise, but within that, we brought Spencer Shrader in to do the kicking,” Reid said. “He’s a young guy, so his resume isn’t long, but the ones he’s had, he’s done a nice job with, and he felt comfortable with that, along with Dave Toub, so we invite him in, and he can, you can do the kicking going forward here until but is able to return.”

Reid is confident in Butker’s replacement. Shrader played in Week 10 for the New York Jets and successfully replaced their injured kicker.

“He’s got a very strong leg, and he’s done well. “said Reid. “They used him, obviously elevated him at the Jets, so they had a couple of kickers there, and obviously they favored him.”

The Chiefs face the Buffalo Bills in a crucial AFC rivalry matchup this Sunday, which could affect their postseason seeding.

Report: Chiefs are placing K Harrison Butker on injured reserve

Kansas City #Chiefs are reportedly placing kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without another key player for an extended period due to injury.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are signing kicker Spencer Shrader off the New York Jets practice squad and placing kicker Harrison Butker on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Butker, who initially wasn’t on the radar of any significant injury concerns earlier in the week, was announced as limited in Thursday’s practice with a left knee injury.

The veteran kicker will miss at least the next four games due to the injured reserve designation. Through nine regular-season games, Butker has connected 18-for-20 on field-goal attempts and 21-for-22 on extra-point tries. He notably had an uncharacteristic moment in the fourth quarter of the Week 10 victory over the Denver Broncos, pushing the kickoff out of bounds, giving the opponents excellent field position for the final drive.

The Chiefs are reportedly adding kicker Shrader from the Jets practice squad; he played in New York’s Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals, connecting on both field-goal attempts. He was relegated to the practice squad after regular Jets starter Greg Zuerlein was cleared to return from injured reserve.

Chris Boswell discusses confident kicking with Ben Roethlisberger

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell discussed his growth and confidence as a kicker on Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast, sharing insights from his career.

Chris Boswell, AKA the Wizard of Boz, is regarded as one of the greatest kickers the NFL has ever seen. While Boswell is seemingly automatic and comfortable attempting any kick from any distance, it wasn’t always this way for the Pittsburgh Steelers star.

Making an appearance on the latest episode of Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, co-host Spencer Te’o asked Boswell when kicking became automatic.

Boswell humbly stated, “I think, you know, the more years I put into it, kinda, the more confidence I put in myself in that situation. It definitely didn’t start like that. I definitely worried about holds, worried about snaps, worried about wind, stuff like that. And then I’ve just gotten to the point where I don’t even think about anything anymore.”

While Boswell’s hard work and dedication speak for themselves, Big Ben added that Boswell always holds himself accountable, stating, “I’ve never heard this guy make an excuse.”

Throughout his storied career in Pittsburgh, Boswell’s performance has made him a fan favorite in the Steel City, and his wise words on growth and confidence speak volumes about his character as a whole.

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Broncos kicker Wil Lutz reacts to blocked field goal vs. Chiefs

“I’ve been a part of some tough losses and this probably takes the cake,” Wil Lutz said after the Broncos lost to the Chiefs on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos lined up for a 35-yard field goal attempt on the final play of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs with a chance for Wil Lutz to kick a game-winning field goal.

The kick was blocked and the Broncos lost 16-14.

After the game, Lutz addressed media members in the locker room.

“I’ve been in a lot of tough games,” Lutz said. “I’ve lost games in tough ways and that one’s up there. So hopefully we can learn from it and be able to finish off the next one.”

Lutz also had a 60-yard field goal attempt fall just short right before halftime. Going into Sunday’s game, the Broncos were 9-of-9 on field goal attempts within 40 yards, as the Denver Post‘s Parker Gabriel pointed out on X. Being perfect before the block is no consolation for Lutz.

“Nothing will make you feel better about this situation,” Lutz said. “Like I said, I’ve been a part of some tough losses and this probably takes the cake in recent memory. At the end of the day, two opportunities and two misses.”

Broncos offensive lineman Alex Forsyth was driven back on the play, leading to the block. He took responsibility after the game.

“I have to be stouter,” Forsyth told Gabriel. “They had four guys on that side. But it didn’t surprise us. I have to be stouter.”

With the loss, Denver dropped to 5-5. Up next for the Broncos is a home game against the Atlanta Falcons (6-4) next week.

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Bills back kicker Tyler Bass with latest roster move

Bills back kicker Tyler Bass with latest roster move

The Buffalo Bills showed they still have faith in kicker Tyler Bass.

The team announced on Thursday that they have released kicker Lucas Havrisik from the practice squad. Havrisik was brought in to compete with Bass in practice just two weeks ago. It turns out there wasn’t much of a competition.

In nine career games in the NFL (all in 2023), Havrisik is a 75% percent kicker, having connected on 15-of-20 field goal attempts. He is also 19-of-22 on extra points. Not ideal numbers to start his career.

So, for now at least, Bass remains the guy for the Bills.

So far in 2024, Bass has made 12-of-15 field goals (80%) which is good for 30th in the NFL. He is 26-of-28 on extra points (92.9%) which ranks 32nd.

With the open spot on the practice squad after the release of Havrisik, the team brought back wide receiver Deon Cain.

Cain rejoins the Bills after being released from the team this preseason. He appeared in 15 games across 2019 and 2020 and has just nine career catches.

Learn more about Cain below: 

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month

Steelers’ K Chris Boswell has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his elite play in October.

The ‘Wizard of Boz’ strikes again!  Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicker Chris Boswell has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in back-to-back months for his excellent performance and contribution to his team’s 6-2 record. The NFL announced Boswell’s accomplishment on Thursday morning, and this award is well-deserved.

This is now the third time Boswell has earned the illustrious AFC Special Teams Play of the Month award, with his first selection dating all the way back in December/January of the 2015 season, and his second selection being last month in September of the 2024 season. Boswell has kicked with an impressive 89.0% accuracy on his field goal attempts, hitting on 254 out of 289.

Steelers fans, including myself, are truly lucky to be able to witness arguably one of the greatest kickers of all-time tearing it up for the Pittsburgh Steelers on any given Sunday.  Can Boswell do the unthinkable and earn three consecutive AFC Special Teams Player of the Month awards?

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Two-time SB Champion returns to Pittsburgh in Week 8

Two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest Steelers’ kickers of all-time, Jeff Reed, is attending the Steelers’ Week 8 contest.

Fans of the 2000’s Pittsburgh Steelers rejoice!  Two-time Super Bowl champion, third-all time Steelers’ leading scorer, and one of the greatest kickers in Pittsburgh history, Jeff Reed, is attending his former team’s Week 8 contest against the New York Giants.

Reed belonged to the Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII championship teams, assisting in bringing the Steelers’ last two Lombardi trophies to Pittsburgh, with 12 points off his right foot in these games.

Reed will follow in the footsteps of former Steelers’ All-Pro players, WR Antonio Brown and RB Le’Veon Bell, who also attended Pittsburgh games this season, as well as making their appearances at the Terrible Tailgate before the game.

 

Pittsburgh has enjoyed having some of the greatest kickers the NFL has ever seen on their rosters, and it is heartwarming to say the least when former Steelers players reunite with their team and fans.

Keep an eye out for Steelers’ legend and two-time Super Bowl kicker Jeff Reed at not only the Terrible Tailgate on October 28th at 3:30 PM EST, but the Monday Night Football game at 8:15 PM EST as well.

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Wisconsin K Nathanial Vakos sets program record with 50-yard FG vs. Penn State

Wisconsin K Nathanial Vakos sets program record with 50-yard FG vs. Penn State

Wisconsin kicker Nathanial Vakos set a program record for the most 50-plus-yard field goals with his 50-yard make to open the Badgers’ Week 9 contest against No. 3 Penn State.

The long-distance make is Vakos’ fourth from beyond 50 yards since taking over as Wisconsin’s kicker in 2023. According to the NBC broadcast, that sets a program record.

The former Ohio transfer is 22/30 (73%) on field goal attempts in his year-and-a-half as the Badgers’ starting kicker. Specifically, those totals include 1/1 from inside 20 yards, 6/6 from 20-29 yards, 8/10 from 30-39, 3/6 from 40-49 and 4/7 from 50-plus.

Vakos’ long-distance make is great news for the Badgers’ chances after his relative struggles to begin the 2024 season. He was nearly flawless in 2023, going 14/15 from inside 50 yards. Those numbers have regressed a bit to begin 2024, though are sure to be helped by his long make against Penn State.

His current standing on Wisconsin’s other all-time kicker leaderboards include No. 6 in field goals made (22), No. 7 in points (125) and No. 5 in field goal percentage (73%). Rafael Gaglianone (2014-18) leads the program in nearly everything, and was tied with Vakos at three 50-plus-yard-field-goal-makes entering Saturday.

Wisconsin currently trails top-ranked Penn State 7-3 early in the second quarter. Vakos and the Badgers are looking for a defining victory to entering longshot contention for the Big Ten title and expanded College Football Playoff.

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