The Panthers FO Could Learn Something From The Bucs Kicking Competition

[Saca312]

So, I was watching Hard Knocks, so of course the Kicker situation came up. What really stood out was how Tampa says they don't care about how you do during "camp" or whatever, they value what they see coming from games. They talked about how Foles may have had an up and down session in camp, but they know he'll show up when it counts in games. However, Aguayo may be having the better camp, but he disappears during the game.

Just makes me think about Gano vs Butker. Gano seems to be "running away" with the competition in camp, yet so far preseason tells a different story. Not only did he miss a FG, he seemed a bit "shaky" in making a few others. However, Butker kicked everything right down the middle when he kicked and looked far more poised.

Of course, it's just one preseason game. Still need a larger sample size to really make a conclusion. But it made me think that maybe the Bucs kicking situation could be equally applied here, and Butker may be our "Foles" who shows up when the game counts, while Gano is our "Aguayo" who disappears under the bright lights.

Time will tell, but it's something to think about.

[Hoenheim]

Its still pretty difficult to invision Gano getting beat out by a rookie. The only way I could see that happening is if they both are on the final roster and Gano starts missing kicks in the regular season. Otherwise its too much of  a gamble for the organization to trust a rookie kicker that much. 

[Saca312]

Just now, Hoenheim said:

Its still pretty difficult to invision Gano getting beat out by a rookie. The only way I could see that happening is if they both are on the final roster and Gano starts missing kicks in the regular season. Otherwise its too much of  a gamble for the organization to trust a rookie kicker that much. 

But really what makes Gano more trustworthy than the rookie given his history? If Butker turns out to not miss a single kick in preseason even though his "TC" performance was sub-par, I really want to see the Panthers cut Gano, even if Gano has been having the "better camp."

But like I said, time will tell. We need a larger sample size to determine that. Butker could just as likely start missing kicks, and the advantage will automatically go to Gano.

[Byrdman4real]

2 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

Its still pretty difficult to invision Gano getting beat out by a rookie. The only way I could see that happening is if they both are on the final roster and Gano starts missing kicks in the regular season. Otherwise its too much of  a gamble for the organization to trust a rookie kicker that much. 

Hell Gano is a gamble. Last season showed that.

[LinvilleGorge]

Yep, to hell with practice. When it comes down to it, the Panthers should ask themselves, "Okay, it's the Super Bowl and we're down by 1 with 1 second on the clock and we're lining up for a 50 yard FG. We're going to win or lose the Super Bowl right here with this kick. Who do we want taking it, Gano or Butker?" That's the guy who should be our kicker.

[Nails]

Gano makes my blood boil.  He must go.

[Hoenheim]

3 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yep, to hell with practice. When it comes down to it, the Panthers should ask themselves, "Okay, it's the Super Bowl and we're down by 1 with 1 second on the clock and we're lining up for a 50 yard FG. We're going to win or lose the Super Bowl right here with this kick. Who do we want taking it, Gano or Butker?" That's the guy who should be our kicker.

If it was Gano kicking that kick, I would have already left the room and start driving back home

[bobsfoodbasics]

Cut Gano and use the money to lock up Star or Norwell 

[csx]

 

Did this approach get them Aguayo last season?

[LinvilleGorge]

 

4 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

If it was Gano kicking that kick, I would have already left the room and start driving back home

[csx]

27 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yep, to hell with practice. When it comes down to it, the Panthers should ask themselves, "Okay, it's the Super Bowl and we're down by 1 with 1 second on the clock and we're lining up for a 50 yard FG. We're going to win or lose the Super Bowl right here with this kick. Who do we want taking it, Gano or Butker?" That's the guy who should be our kicker.

I'm sure they would chose the kicker who would win them the Superbowl.

[LinvilleGorge]

3 minutes ago, csx said:

I'm sure they would chose the kicker who would win them the Superbowl.

So... not Graham Gano?

[Jangler]

start Butker this week and really get the competition going...at this point I'd rather go with an unknown.

[Ricky Spanish]

I'd rather cut Gano and Dickson, use Butker and a vet TE after cuts, and use the money saved from those contracts on Andrew Norwell.

1 Norwell > 1 Dickson + 1 Gano