Tag: kicker

Bills host two kickers for workouts amidst Tyler Bass’ struggles

Bills host two kickers for workouts amidst Tyler Bass’ struggles

The Buffalo Bills held a workout for two free-agent kickers on Tuesday, Anders Carlson and Cade York, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

This comes directly after kicker Tyler Bass went 1-for-2 in Thursday night’s win over the Dolphins, in which he connected on a 43-yarder but missed badly on a 45-yarder.

The missed kick on Thursday night was nearly the same distance as the miss in the Divisional Round against the Chiefs (44 yards).

Many people are hung up on that one miss in the playoffs that essentially ended the season, but he took a noticeable step back for the totality of the 2023 season.

After making 82.4% of his kicks as a rookie, he hovered around the 87% mark in 2021 and 2022, which is good. But, in 2023 he regressed to 82.8%, and just 4-of-6 in the 40-49 range.

In last year’s wildcard round game against the Steelers, Bass went 1-for-3, including a blocked kick and a miss from only 29 yards out. In the 2023 postseason, he went 2-for-5 in total (40%).

The Bills thinking of competition for Bass makes a lot of sense considering the fact the Bills need consistency from their field goal kicker, especially in the postseason.

The factor that makes it tricky is Bass’ current contract. According to Spotrac, Bass is only in year one of a four-year extension signed last year. He was guaranteed over $9 million at signing and would have a dead cap hit of $7.38 million if he was cut this year.

As for the two brought in for workouts, both of them have just one full season in the NFL under their belt. Anders Carlson last played for the Packers in 2023, while Cade York was with the Browns in 2022. York started as the Commanders’ kicker this year but was let go after one game where he went 0-for-2.

Carlson made just 81.8% of his kicks and just 87.2% of extra points in 2023, while York made just 75% of his kicks in 2022.

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‘Wizard of Boz’ was the heart of the Steelers’ Week 1 victory over the Falcons

Chris Boswell remains the most consistent scoring threat on the Steelers.

The Wizard of Boz was back in regular-season shape this week in Atlanta. Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell started off his regular season campaign with a bang, or should I say, six of them. Boswell made Steelers history in the 18-10 win over the Falcons in Atlanta, becoming the first kicker in franchise history to hit three or more attempts from 50-plus yards. 

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1832860238061441056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Boswell unfortunately plays in the same division as arguably the greatest kicker of all time, Justin Tucker. This results in Boswell’s efforts going more under the radar. However, after Sunday, perhaps it is time for the NFL to start putting respect on Boz’s name.

In Atlanta, he hit from 25, 40, 44, 51, 56 and 57 yards. Boswell will look to keep the momentum going in Denver for the Week 2 matchup against the Broncos.

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Keeping Blake Grupe came down to dependability and consistency

Blake Grupe won his battle over Charlie Smyth by affirming Dennis Allen’s beliefs from last year

Dennis Allen has full confidence in Blake Grupe as the Saints starting kicker. Grupe won his competition over International Player Pathways rookie Charlie Smyth. Smyth repeatedly showed off his leg strength with multiple field goals of more than 60 yards in practice and in pregame as well. Allen made it clear that wouldn’t decide the battle, though.

When asked about the decision to keep Grupe over Smyth, Allen gave a strong endorsement of Grupe that extends into the previous season. “I like Blake Grupe. I thought this last year. I think it again this year. When he’s gotten into the games, he’s made the kicks he’s needed to make.”

Allen continues by saying, “I think he’s been consistent in practice. I’ve seen an improved player even from where he was at this point last year. I feel very confident about that.”

Allen described everything you’d want in a kicker, a consistent, dependable player. Grupe will need to deliver on this belief. There were some question marks a year ago, but if he can make the kicks he needs to make then he should wipe away doubt that Allen made the right call.

Greg Joseph wins Packers’ kicker battle, but for how long?

Greg Joseph was the last man standing in the Packers kicker battle…but for how long will he hold the job?

The last man standing in the Green Bay Packers’ summer-long kicking battle was veteran Greg Joseph, who ended up on the team’s initial 53-man roster after incumbent Anders Carlson and rookie Alex Hale were released Tuesday.

Statistically speaking, Joseph wasn’t the best kicker during training camp practices and preseason games. He ended up under 80 percent on all recorded kicks — 60 for 76 overall, or 78.9 percent, per Andy Herman. But Joseph finished strong — making two field goals, including a 55-yarder — in the season finale, while Carlson’s miss of 32-yard chip shot brought up confidence-shaking memories of his impactful misses to end last season. Hale, a rookie from Oklahoma State, is the Packers’ designated International Player Pathway player and will have a free practice squad spot waiting for him Wednesday.

Now that Joseph is the last kicker standing, the question becomes: Will his win last more than a day?

Packers coach Matt LaFleur made it clear the team would search the waiver wire for potential upgrades. And final cuts added a few possibilities for Brian Gutekunst to look through before waiver claims on Wednesday.

Here are all the kickers released during final cuts:

Lucas Havrisik (Browns)
Spencer Shrader (Colts)
Chad Rhyland (Patriots)
Austin Seibert (Jets)
Jude McAtamney (Giants)
Charlie Smyth (Saints)
Matthew Wright (Steelers)
Brayden Narveson (Titans)
Riley Patterson (Commanders)

There isn’t a slam dunk, can’t miss option. The Packers pro personnel department will have to do some real digging to know if any of the available kickers have the potential to be better than Joseph, who was the kicker for the Minnesota Vikings between 2021 and 2023 before joining the Packers. Joseph’s career kicking percentage is 82.6, and his extra point percentage is only 90.6. While he has a big leg (15 career makes over 50 yards), Joseph is certainly volatile. his miss on a 47-yarder in Denver during the preseason wasn’t even close.

But sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t, and the Packers will have a good sense of Joseph’s kicking ability after facing him for three years inside the division and now having a summer of him competing in Green Bay.

Also, keep in mind, Joseph is a vested veteran, so he’ll contract will fully guarantee for the 2024 season if he’s on the roster on Week 1. Joseph signed a one-year deal worth only $1.3 million, so the price tag isn’t a big one. But his entire salary would count against the cap if the Packers ended up having to make a midseason change.

Waiver claims are due by 11:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday. If the deadline comes and goes without the Packers adding a new kicker, Joseph just might end up as the team’s kicker for 2024.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur unsure about QB2 and K competitions following preseason finale

The Packers are still evaluating the competitions at kicker and backup quarterback following the preseason finale.

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur admitted that inconsistency plagued the competitions at kicker and backup quarterback this summer and said decisions made around the league around cutdown day on Tuesday could impact what the team does at the two positions to start the 2024 season.

Saturday’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens — which ended in a 30-7 win at Lambeau Field — highlighted the on-going inconsistency and potential for concern at kicker and backup quarterback entering the regular season.

At kicker, Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph started by making their first six kicks — including two over 50 yards — but Carlson ended the day with a miss on a 32-yarder. Both kickers had impressive stretches but hovered around 80 percent during training camp.

LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst will have to determine if Carlson or Joseph is the answer for Week 1 or if a waiver wire addition will be required.

“We have a really good sample size, and then we’ll see what happens just around the league,” LaFleur said. “There was some good moments. Both of those guys made a 50-yarder, and then there was a poor moment where we missed a chip shot. A lot of good, but there was some we could be better at. We’ll just wait to see.”

Carlson curled in a 54-yarder around the right upright, while Joseph split the uprights from 55 yards out. By final tally on kicks in camp and the preseason, Carlson was the slightly better kicker. But he was hardly more consistent or reliable than his up-and-down rookie season, and his miss on Saturday was a brutal reminder of Carlson’s volatility, even on easier kicks.

At backup quarterback, Sean Clifford and rookie Michael Pratt both threw touchdown passes, but Clifford struggled early and Pratt struggled late.

Do the Packers have a backup quarterback who could adequately fill in if Jordan Love suffered a minor injury?

“We’ll see,” LaFleur said. “Again, similar to the kicking competition, there was some really good moments and there was some things that we absolutely have to do better. And we’ll evaluate everything that is out there for us.”

Together, Clifford and Pratt combined to complete 14 of 26 passes for 133 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Ravens. Clifford was only 3-of-10 passing at half time, while Pratt threw a bad interception in the second half. Neither was particularly impressive over a month of practices and three preseason games, opening the door to the Packers making an addition at quarterback following final cuts.

Most teams enter a season with bigger and more pressing worries than what the Packers currently face at backup quarterback and kicker. But quarterback is the most important position on the field and quarterbacks often get injured, while kicker is a point-scoring position that can determine games.

The deadline for cutting the roster to 53 players is Tuesday afternoon. Considering LaFleur’s comments, all options are on the table at kicker and backup quarterback, and it’s possible the answers will arrive via the waiver wire.

Other things of note from LaFleur:

— LaFleur said Pratt got the wind knocked out of him while trying to make a tackle following his interception. “He couldn’t breathe. He just lost his wind, he was fine.”

— LaFleur said players will be off Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and return Wednesday. Final cuts are Tuesday.

— On the status of A.J. Dillon (stinger) and MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) for Week 1: “TBD.”

— On Kristian Welch: “Smart, tough, physical player.” LaFleur thought he baited the quarterback into throwing the interception in the second half.

— On Arron Mosby: “Extremely impressive to have two takeaways.” Mosby forced a fumble and had an interception. “Two outstanding plays by him.”

— On final 53-man roster: “There are going to be some very tough decisions.”

— LaFleur said Jason Vrable called plays in the first half and John Dunn called plays in the second half. The Packers also switched it up with playcallers on defense.

— On right guard: “Sean Rhyan has done an outstanding job.” Said the Packers have at least five more practices before playing the Eagles, so there’s time to make the decision. LaFleur didn’t rule out rotating Rhyan and Jordan Morgan. Also said Rhyan in-game stamina is better this year.

— No communication breakdown on Ravens touchdown. Two players jumped the underneath route, leaving the in-breaking route behind it wide open.

LaFleur’s post-game press conference:

WATCH: Supercut of Charlie Smyth’s first year of field goal tries

It’s a year to the day since Charlie Smyth kicked his first football. Now he’s booting 65 yards for the Saints. Here’s a look at his progress from his trainer:

It’s been a full calendar year since Charlie Smyth kicked his first American football. Now the New Orleans Saints’ rookie kicker is booting field goals from 65 yards and pushing for a job at training camp. That’s impressive no matter how you slice it.

Here’s a look at Smyth’s progress from his trainer, starting with his first try in Northern Ireland back in Aug. 2023 and running up through his training in South Florida to preseason game-winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals this preseason.

Can Smyth win the job? Maybe so. But there’s more to kicking in the NFL than hitting long-distance field goals. Saints coach Dennis Allen has said he wants to see more consistency from Smyth at moderate ranges inside 50 yards, where the team is more likely to try field goals anyway, as well as on kickoffs. But Smyth has clearly put in a ton of work. If he can finish strong this preseason he just might push Blake Grupe aside just like he displaced Wil Lutz last summer.

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Charlie Smyth struck while the iron was hot in Saints preseason opener

Charlie Smyth struck while the iron was hot in the Saints’ preseason opener. The rookie kicker came through in the clutch:

What a way to start your career in American football. Not just the NFL — when Charlie Smyth took the field on Saturday night to attempt a 37-yard field goal for the win, he did so on his first kick in the American game. The rookie from Northern Ireland joined the New Orleans Saints through the NFL’s International Player Program this offseason, and he’s been turning heads all summer.

That included during pregame warmups. Smyth booted two tries from distances of 60-plus yards, then watched Blake Grupe go to work for three quarters. When his turn finally came, it was in the game’s final seconds, with the Saints trailing by a single point. And his coaches had full confidence in him in that moment.

“We would’ve kicked it from, I don’t know, sixty. You know? Depending on how much time was left in the game and whether I thought the down and distance was, what we thought the percentages was. So it’s a little bit of a hypothetical,” Allen mused in his postgame press conference.

At about the same time, the Irish rock band U2’s hit single “With You or Without You” could be heard echoing from the celebratory Saints locker room, per Nola.com’s Luke Johnson. Allen continued: “But I felt good about him hitting the distance. Wasn’t worried about that at all. And I thought that was awesome. First kick in not an NFL game a football game, in an American football game. For him to knock it through like that in a pressure situation, that was cool to see.”

That’s not to say Smyth has won the job just yet. He needs to keep up the good work and harness the power in his leg (he pushed a few warmup kicks wide to the right, as has happened at training camp practices) and improve his placement on kickoffs. He’s sent too many of those out of the field of play. But he may just need more experience. You don’t see many players with his raw talent. His status in the IPP has bought some time to better learn the sport, but Smyth just might end up pushing the envelope.

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Wil Lutz had a perfect reaction to D.J. Jones’ comment about kickers

Broncos defensive lineman poked fun at kickers earlier this week and Wil Lutz took notice.

During his media availability earlier this week, Denver Broncos defensive lineman D.J. Jones was asked if he has to prepare differently to get himself ready physically now that he’s in his eighth season in the NFL.

“Oh yeah,” Jones said. “If anyone tells you, ‘No,’ they’re lying — or they’re a kicker. You have to hone into the details as far as your body goes and if you’ve had any surgeries or anything. You have to take care of things before you come out here.”

Andrew Mason of DenverSports.com shared a clip of Jones making that statement on Twitter/X, and the video was spotted by Broncos kicker Wil Lutz, who had a perfect response:

Lutz (30) has been in the NFL since 2016, one year longer than Jones (29). Good-natured jabs aside, Jones realizes Lutz has to take care of his body to play in the NFL as well. We can’t blame him for poking fun at kickers, though, it’s one of football’s oldest locker room traditions.

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Packers kicker competition takes a turn entering Family Night

Greg Joseph, the veteran challenger, has created some distance in the competition against Anders Carlson at Packers kicker.

On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers kicker competition got whittled down to two. On Thursday, some distance was created between the two remaining competitors.

This is no longer a three-way competition. Rookie James Turner was released on Tuesday.

During the final practice before Family Night, veteran challenger Greg Joseph finished a perfect 7-for-7 — with makes from 41, 42, 45, 47, 49, 51 and 58 yards. Incumbent Anders Carlson, meanwhile, went 4-for-7 — with misses from 45, 47 and 49. Like Joseph, Carlson made the 58-yarder to end the practice.

Through nine practices, Joseph has taken a noteworthy lead in the on-field competition.

Joseph, who was the Minnesota Vikings kicker over the last three seasons, is 29-of-31, or 93.5 percent.

Carlson, who started strong as a rookie but went through miserable ups and downs late, is 25-of-31, or 80.6 percent. Overall, Carlson made 81.8 percent of his field goals last season.

Any distance Joseph has made ahead of Carlson could be made up Saturday night at Lambeau Field. Kicking inside the stadium creates a far different environment than practice, and it can be assumed those kicks will be weighed more heavily in the kicking competition. Thousands of fans will be in attendance and the winds blow differently inside the bowl of Lambeau Field.

Can Joseph stay steady and accurate at Family Night? And can Carlson pull out a mini-funk? Both are important questions, given some of Joseph’s inconsistencies during his NFL career and the repetitiveness of Carlson’s funks to start his own career.

Packers kicking competition tracker

Greg Joseph: 29-for-31 (93.5%)
Anders Carlson: 25-for-31 (80.6%)