It’s true – kickers do need some love too
It’s time to address a delicate situation. One that is sometimes glossed over.
One, however, that is no matter how you dress it up, is just as crucial of that as a Pro Bowl quarterback, or a stud running back, or even a marauding defensive end.
An NFL kicker IS just as important. No, really.
How many times have you held your head in your hands as your QB been sacked and taken you out of field goal range, or that stud RB been stood up, meaning you’ve got to attempt a field goal instead of continuing the march to the end zone. There in itself, are two reasons why you have to love your placekicker. You’re now out of his range, a kick he was certain to make. And, the other example means you are relying on him to hold his nerve.
Super Bowls have been won and lost with the swing of the kickers leg. Scott Norwood with his infamous miss in the Buffalo Bills’ first of four failed attempts to win the big one. Adam Vinatieri coming up big not once but twice with game winning kicks as time expired. He is the only kicker to have won four rings. Some Hall of Fame players didn’t even get to win one!!
Speaking of the Hall of Fame, only one kicker is in the halls at Canton, Ohio. Jan Stenerud had an 18 year career with 3 different teams, the Chiefs, Packers and Vikings. The Norwegian born kicker was 66.8% from field goals and ended his career on 1,699 points. This huge points haull has since been passed by a number of players, and indeed topping the list now is another Scandinavian born man. Morten Andersen finished a 25 year term in the NFL with a massive 2.544 points and was 79.7% when asked to kick through the uprights from distance.
This season has seen the emergence of a certain rookie who has gone by the names of “Greg the Leg” or “Legatron” if you prefer. The St.Louis Rams’ Greg Zeurlein has hit the headlines with his kicks under pressure and the distance he gets on his kicks. He may not get them all but he’s 7-7 from 40-49 yards and 7-11 from 60+. So the Rams don’t have to have long drives to get into his range. In fact in Week 4 this year he booted a 60-yarder against Seattle which broke a 14-year franchise record.
There are currently 5 players who have attempted over 20 field goals, who are over 90% success. Pittsburgh Steelers’ Shaun Suisham is the most accurate so far missing only once from 25 attempts. New York Giants’ Lawrence Tynes leads all scoring this season, but is being shadowed closely by Atlanta Falcons Matt Bryant.
So just remember when your team is trailing by 2 with 3 ticks left in the game, and you’re on the opponents 35 yard line, don’t give up. Have faith in your kicker. He’s there for a reason. His paycheck may not be that big, but he will put everything on the line for you week-in-week-out.
Love your kicker. He may just win it all for you one day.
