Thread: Is There Help Out There For Our Kicking Game?

I really thought coming into this year our biggest weakness was gonna be pressure from our front 4, specifically, our DE's.
Unfortunately or fortunately that isn't the case.

In fact, my biggest concern isn't our DE's or our young QB or even our OL (Right Side) but rather it is our Kicker.

Here is what we gave up on kickoffs during our first 3 pre-season games.

Against the Rams
KICKOFFS (Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks) 3 - 0 - 0-75
Against the Jets
KICKOFFS (Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks-Yards) 7 - 1 - 0-167
Against the Seahawks
KICKOFFS (Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks-Yards) 4 - 1 - 0-106
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/boxsco...2007&week=PRE1

In my minds eye, it isn't the fact that we aren't tackling (although there are a couple of instances
;D) but more along the lines of we aren't getting the ball deep enough, with enough hang time so that our guys can get down, bust the wedge and fill the running lanes.

Well with that in mind I started looking at the other teams to see who they had on thier rosters that might become available as cut down starts.
Let me tell you, very few teams have 2 Kickers on thier roster. Infact, more teams carry 2 punters than there are that carry 2 kickers in pre-season.

Here is what I found (bolded possible candidates):

Dallas
Nick Folk K 6-1 225
Martin Gramatica K 5-8 175
Bears
Robbie Gould K 6-1 181
Nick Novak K 6-0 189
Green Bay
Mason Crosby K 6-1 212 R
David Lonie K 6-5 210
Dave Rayner K 6-2 210
Denver
Jason Elam K 5-11 200
Paul Ernster K 6-0 217

Jacksonville
Aaron Elling K 6-0 201
Josh Scobee K 6-1 190
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/teams

A few of them are pretty interesting (i.e. Folk) but when you look at who he is competing against (Gramatica) you wonder if he will beat out the vet.


Another issue that needs to be addressed, would be centered around the fact that the Vikes, because of competition at WR, OL, DE, CB, S etc, probably won't want to waste a much needed roster spot on an extra kicker for kickoffs as well as one that can do PAT/Extra Points and a punter as well.

Anybody know anything about any of these guys, other than the starters we all know? Any of you college homers know of someone from your college favorite that didn't get drafted that might be out there?

I'm looking for a mix of a guy that can either K/P (Keeping Longwell for PAT/EP's) or a K that can do KO/PAT/EP's (Keeping Kluwe as P)?

I don't know.

Just doesn't seem like a better option than Longwell, even with him missing FGs.


It is difficult to justify two roster spots.
We really need a guy that can KO better.

Rock and a hard place!

This is an old article I found doing some more research.

Longwell and T-will have something (well almost) in common
;D
http://www2.jsonline.com/packer/news...an07100599.asp

John deraney from NC State handled kicking, punting, and kickoff duties last year in college. He consistently kicked the ball into the back of the end zone on kickoffs and even had it sail through the uprights a couple of times. Last I heard he was with the lions? but he would seem like an interesting prospect considering his versatility in the kicking game.

"PurplePeopleEaters" wrote:

John deraney from NC State handled kicking, punting, and kickoff duties last year in college. He consistently kicked the ball into the back of the end zone on kickoffs and even had it sail through the uprights a couple of times. Last I heard he was with the lions? but he would seem like an interesting prospect considering his versatility in the kicking game.

Thats what I'm talkin about....... ;D

Height: 6-4
Weight: 224
Age: 23
75 Percent on FG's in 2006 with a long of 54.

Whats up with the knee injury on 8/19/07 (anterior Cruciate Ligament)
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings...php?pyid=11396

longwell has missed three field goals and we want to replace him? am i geting this? ???

"Nephilim" wrote:

longwell has missed three field goals and we want to replace him? am i geting this? ???

No, he is missing field goals and not kicking the KO deep enough attributing to the ST problems.
So the topic of finding an assistant to pressure him into doing his job might be a kick in the ass.

Something like that.

There is a good chance Gramatica will get cut but his preseason hs been just as poor as Longwell's plus he injured his hammy. I guess Josh Scobee would be interesting.

Longwell is missing mid-range FGs. Just plain lackluster and you can't be confident in him at this point. Bringing in another kicker will ahve just as many questions though.

Gramatica has had continual problems with his hammy the last few season.

Is Longwell's problem with the holder or snapper?

The early miss in the Seattle game, they mentioned a high snap???

"Nephilim" wrote:

longwell has missed three field goals and we want to replace him? am i geting this? ???

Let me apologize, this thread is about Kickoffs.
I though I was pretty clear by only referencing his KO stats.

Longwells ability to make FG's is not an issue with me.
The misses are nothing more than a little bit more practice, game time experience.

My issue with Longwell is his inability to kick it deep with any amount of hang time.
Until he can do that, then I don't care if you have a bunch of HOF Special Teamers/Tacklers we will consistently give up huge returns yards.