Congratulations Are In Order For Saints Rookie Kicker Blake Grupe
By my count, Grupe's 80% made field goals is 24th in the league among kickers with 25 kicks or more. I'm pretty sure the more difficult situations you mentioned for Grupe are also factored into the other kickers percentages as well. Will Lutz is ranked 13th with 88.2%.
Grupe made a lot of field goals because we kicked a lot of field goals because our offense is bad, especially in the red zone. He also missed a lot of FGs. Like when a linebacker or a safety on a bad defense has a ton of tackles because the team can't stop the run before it gets to them. Or a QB with 350 yards passing in a blowout loss because they are trying to play catchup all game.
Also, referring to people with realistic criticism as "haters" always sounds so childish. When it comes to overall FG percentage, we cut a long time incumbent that was slightly above average for a new kicker that is ranked near the bottom. Criticism in that regard is definitely valid.
GTF out of here with that garbage. Take it to the "Cut Grupe " thread if you must.
This is an "Appreciation" thread. If you can't simply say Congrats but instead come here to bash it shows you are just that, "A Hater", and a "Fan Bully". Talk about being Childish. SMH!
You must be a true inspiration to those that get to be around you in real life daily. You just can't get over Lutz, who had several good years here with the Saints, but also was below average his last year here after missing the entire prior year. Let it go already. If you can't, bump a Lutz thread and go there to slobber all over it. And when you post a reply, try to get your facts straight.
Grupe was such a great value as an UDFA Rookie on the league minimum salary that it not only allowed the Saints to dump Lutz salary, but it afforded the team to
TRADE Lutz and acquire a 7th Round Draft Choice in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. That's Lagniappe! Bust, HOFer, or a Player in Between, Let's see what that draft pick yields for the Saints in the long run. Something for nothing is always better than nothing for something.
For the Record, I have nothing against Lutz, and I appreciate what he did in his first five years here. If you read my original post, you will find I mention him multiple times with plenty of accolades. However, he missed all of 2021 injured and was no help to the team. Upon his return in 2022 he went from being known as "Big Nutz Lutz" to "Big Klutz Lutz". He had the Worst Percentage in the Entire League for Accuracy of kickers that attempted 31 FGs or more, while carrying a hefty salary. You guys gotta let go. Lutz is like the Ex that ain't coming back no matter How Much You Cry. As Benny Grunch said: Ain't Dere No More!
Lutz rookie year his percentage was 82.4%. A whole 2.4% better than Grupe’s 80%. In 2020 Lutz was at 82.1%. Last year he was 74.2%. Yes he is kicking better this year in Denver but he’s been near the bottom of the league since 2020. Grupe is having a solid year for a rookie kicker.
Your speaking to a closed-minded group here when stating Facts. Keep bringing it to em' anyway. Some folks just can't accept the truth.
It's Easier To SEE With Closed Eyes Than It Is To SEE With A Closed Mind. ~ Artifactual 09/29/23
We need to get real kicker. He cost us the playoffs.
Another "Hater". You must mean a Real Kicker like Lutz also. Isn't he the one that "Cost The Broncos The Playoffs " when he missed a FG and an Extra Point in a One-Point Loss earlier this year? Isn't he the same real kicker who missed a FG yesterday? Isn't he the same real kicker who has only made 80% (3/5) of his FG attempts in his last 2 games? Isn't he the same real kicker that has missed 2 Extra Points so far this year? That's Keeping It Real For Sure!
Voices of Reason are Often Out of Season to Voices of Dissent Who Are Hell-Bent to Vent. ~ Artifactual 10/21/23
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So, we're on a Saints Fan Forum website that has about 28,000 registered members according to the homepage membership information. As Saints Fans, MOST of us come here to support our team, engage in conversation about the team whether we agree with each other or not, and hopefully learn something from one another. Here we have a thread to give a Thumbs Up Comment of Congratulations to a Player that just SET TEAM RECORDS one day ago and yet very few can muster up the decency to give the young man some simple props. Only 17 reply post and of those Only 4 give Congratulations to our Rookie Record Setter. And then there are those that ignore that it's an appreciation thread that asks what the player can do to earn some respect and ya'll come here to bash him. Really? Pretty Ironic! More Like Unbelievable!
As Saints Fans We Should Be Ashamed Of This Behavior. I Know We Can Do Better With Just A Little Effort!.
I'm calling on all Tru Saints Fans that Love their Team to come here and celebrate the accomplishments of a player that is setting team records. If you can't do that, then why are you here? Leave a reply post as simple as Congratulations, Atta Boy, or Hats Off To Grupe!
And as a bonus, leave a suggestion in the form of Humor on how Grupe can earn some RESPECT!
I'll add those to my original post.
Thanks to all that have already done so.