The Current Kicking Situation

[Ricky Spanish]

One thing I was not thrilled about was our lack of interest in a Kicker either in the draft or as a UDFA. We are currently rostering two kickers:

• Joey Slye - Incumbent Kicker, Leg like a shotgun blast with roughly the same accuracy
• Matt Ammendola - Rookie we brought in early in the offseason from OKSU and potential IG Model if the whole kicking thing doesn't work out.

The names above don't inspire the most confidence heading into the 2021 season. Slye's college FG% was 72.9%, his Pro FG% has jumped a few points up to 79.4%. 

Ammendola's College FG% was 76.9%. That's all we've got on him.

Kicking in college tends to be more difficult than in the pros due to the wider hashes and lack of specialized balls used specifically for kicking.

How confident are we in the current state of our Kickers, and should we be looking elsewhere for a kicker?

[1989]

I think we have an adequate kicker in Slye. With a year under his belt, he should only improve. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Yeah, I was definitely expecting to add a kicker at least as a UDFA and the way we were picking up late round picks a draft pick wouldn't have been surprising, especially since we spent one on a long snapper.

[rayzor]

Just quit going for 3 and 1pt kicks. 

Problem solved.

[Moo Daeng]

I have no confidence in Slye that's all I know. He was a decent last minute patch but needs to improve or be replaced.

[LinvilleGorge]

I get that Skye is intriguing because of his huge leg, but the guy has always been wildly inconsistent. I just don't see that getting any better.

[Rocky Davis]

Well if Slye isn't asked to kick 68 yarders his %s are better, although he has had his share of XP yips over the last two seasons.

[Mhedrick]

I’m not making excuses for Slye, however, it seems to reason that when an offense tends to consistently stall out leaving 50+ yard FG attempts you would tend to have a lower than expected FG percentage.

 

Enter an offense that is more potent and can gain even 8-12 more yards on average and you’d assume that percentage would start to go up.

[shaqattaq]

10 minutes ago, Ricky Spanish said:

Joey Slye - Incumbent Kicker, Leg like a shotgun blast with roughly the same accuracy

Almost spit my coffee out. I LOVE the simile here, well played.

[Mr. Scot]

To be honest, a lack of consistency is pretty consistent across the league.

It's definitely tough to find a reliable kicker these days.

[LinvilleGorge]

7 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

To be honest, a lack of consistency is pretty consistent across the league.

It's definitely tough to find a reliable kicker these days.

Misperception. FG make percentage has been trending upward despite the distances also trending upward.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/NFL/kicking.htm

[BlazeCarolina]

I've always been a fan of Joey.  If they keep floating that idea of 1 point for kickoffs through the uprights and he becomes even more attractive.

You guys will be excited about that cannon if that rule ever changes.

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Misperception. FG make percentage has been trending upward despite the distances also trending upward.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/NFL/kicking.htm

Not just talking about field goals.

When I was young, missed extra points were something you saw about as often as you saw a unicorn.

These days, it feels like I see at least one per week (and not just from us).

[Mr. Scot]

I miss having a "delete post" option.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Mr. Scot