Grupe (2 Viewers)

[Artifactual]

Yes for just above the minimum salary he better figure it out fast! Or another guy at the same salary will come in!!!

Grupe is on the minimum salary for a Rookie Kicker. As an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent he didn't cost the Saints anything to acquire. In fact, because they kept him they were able to gain a 7th round draft pick by trading Lutz.

Please name that OTHER GUY that will come in at the same salary as Grupe and be counted on to do better.

 

[NatureBoy]

Can he play OL?

 

[LordBane]

Grupe is on the minimum salary for a Rookie Kicker. As an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent he didn't cost the Saints anything to acquire. In fact, because they kept him they were able to gain a 7th round draft pick by trading Lutz.

Please name that OTHER GUY that will come in at the same salary as Grupe and be counted on to do better.

We have about 4 million in cap space... I don't understand why you think we HAVE to get a kicker for what Grupe is playing for....? BTW We took a 2.4 million dollar cap hit by trading Lutz....

 

[Artifactual]

We have about 4 million in cap space... I don't understand why you think we  HAVE to get a kicker for what Grupe is playing for....?

The Saints didn't HAVE to. They were Smart to. The 4 million in cap space is still available to acquire a player in a position of need.

BTW We took a 2.4 million dollar cap hit by trading Lutz....

You failed to mention how much money the Saints Saved in Salary by trading Lutz while also obtaining a 7th round draft pick.

Having missed the entire 2021 season with injury, while being the 5th highest paid kicker in the league, Lutz returned in 2022 where he had the Worst Season Of His Career, making Only 74.2% of his FG attempts. Out of the 20 kickers who attempted 31 FGs or more, Lutz had the WORST % of ALL of them. He did enjoy his best year ever by making All of his extra point attempts, which was the 1st time in his career to do so.

Lutz agreed to a pay cut to return in 2023. After 7 years of his services the Saints decided to move on from him and in a new direction. Lutz may very well rebound to the 2017-2020 form where he was known as Big Nutz Lutz. Time will tell. Way to many people here quickly forget that in 2022 he was better known as Big Klutz Lutz.

As for as Grupe, NOBODY seems to be able to name that OTHER GUY that's out there, on the street, who can come in and out perform the kicker the Saints currently have, regardless of salary.

While you're researching to find that guy, keep in mind that Grupe is currently 4th in the NFL in scoring by kickers, is tied for 1st for deepest average kickoffs, is Perfect on extra point attempts, is only 1 FG shy of the league lead in FGs Made, has Made two 50+ yard FGs in the same game (the 1st time for a Saints kicker in 19 years), is on pace to Shatter Lutzs' Franchise Record For FGs Made (32 in 2019) in a Season, and is on pace to Shatter the Saints Franchise Record For FG Attempts in a Season (41 by Tom Dempsey in 1969).

 

[sammymvpknight]

Full disclosure…Lutz was awful. He was losing Saints as well, and definitely on the decline. You see a rookie playing as well as an often injured, inconsistent vet…you take it. Whether Grupe is the answer is very debatable. But there are no regrets about Lutz

 

[Artifactual]

No cries for Grupes' head this week. He was a perfect 5 out of 5 on extra points and perfect 1 for 1 on his lone FG attempt.

Grupe has made 17 FGs through 8 games. He is one short of the league lead.

He is still on pace to break the Saints Franchise Record for most made FGs in a Season by Will Lutz (32 in 2019). At his current pace he will make 36 this year.

He is still on pace for the most FG attempts in Saints Franchise History (41 by Tom Dempsey in 1969). At his current pace he will attempt 44 this year.

Good to see the Rookie back on track to do great things for the Saints.