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After a long kicking competition in training camp and in the preseason, we made the decision to release both of our veterans and sign a rookie undrafted free agent from a small school that looked good in a workout without pads and came with a recommendation from a preseason opponent, Baltimore. At the time, many of us were floored by the decision to go with a rookie that was coming off a mediocre 12 of 19 senior campaign at Georgia State. But at the same time, we had no choice but to put our faith in coach's decision and hope that his track record at kicker had somehow fixed itself.
Yes, I understand the guy is a rookie and we are banking on him fixing his issues with low kicks over time, but here we are, sitting at 4-6, and at least 3 of our losses can be directly attributed to kicking woes.
Week 1 vs. Oakland - We lose by 1 point, and our kicker misses two field goals, albeit one from 60 at the end of a game that many kickers probably can't even attempt. But he also missed one earlier in the contest.
Week 2 at New York Giants - We lose by a field goal in a game in which our defense held the opposing offense to no touchdowns. The game's only touchdown by the Giants came due to a low kick by Lutz being blocked and returned for a score - a field goal attempt of less than 40 yards.
Week 10 vs. Denver - Extra point blocked, can't fault Lutz directly though because the guy was right in his face. But it does make you wonder if, after reviewing tape, if Lutz kicking style was something that gave the Broncos the extra shot of confidence that they could block it. You can clearly see teams are trying harder than normal now to block our field goals. That said, still won't blame him here.
Week 11 vs. Carolina - See Giants game. Another game in which we lost by a field goal and our kicker kicked a ball too low, resulting in a block that was returned for a touchdown (the TD was called back due to penalty, but still led to a TD one play later).
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I had a feeling that this guy only wowed in his "unbelievable" workout because there was no defense or rush he was going up against.
It appears he has a severe issue with kicking trajectory. When you watch other teams' kickers, their kicks all come out high. He kicks line drives, which of course can make you look like you can make 70 yarders, problem is, this could result in an inordinate amount of blocks, which is manifesting itself weekly.
The block last night literally was a defender, a yard behind the LOS, raising his hand up and barely jumping. That is inexcusable for a field goal of less than 40 yards.
Am I expecting this guy to be perfect? No. Am I encouraged that he came through for us and actually hit a game-winner versus Carolina? Yes. But I am really starting to question this decision and think it has played a direct role in our subpar win-loss record.
Yes, I understand the guy is a rookie and we are banking on him fixing his issues with low kicks over time, but here we are, sitting at 4-6, and at least 3 of our losses can be directly attributed to kicking woes.
Week 1 vs. Oakland - We lose by 1 point, and our kicker misses two field goals, albeit one from 60 at the end of a game that many kickers probably can't even attempt. But he also missed one earlier in the contest.
Week 2 at New York Giants - We lose by a field goal in a game in which our defense held the opposing offense to no touchdowns. The game's only touchdown by the Giants came due to a low kick by Lutz being blocked and returned for a score - a field goal attempt of less than 40 yards.
Week 10 vs. Denver - Extra point blocked, can't fault Lutz directly though because the guy was right in his face. But it does make you wonder if, after reviewing tape, if Lutz kicking style was something that gave the Broncos the extra shot of confidence that they could block it. You can clearly see teams are trying harder than normal now to block our field goals. That said, still won't blame him here.
Week 11 vs. Carolina - See Giants game. Another game in which we lost by a field goal and our kicker kicked a ball too low, resulting in a block that was returned for a touchdown (the TD was called back due to penalty, but still led to a TD one play later).
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I had a feeling that this guy only wowed in his "unbelievable" workout because there was no defense or rush he was going up against.
It appears he has a severe issue with kicking trajectory. When you watch other teams' kickers, their kicks all come out high. He kicks line drives, which of course can make you look like you can make 70 yarders, problem is, this could result in an inordinate amount of blocks, which is manifesting itself weekly.
The block last night literally was a defender, a yard behind the LOS, raising his hand up and barely jumping. That is inexcusable for a field goal of less than 40 yards.
Am I expecting this guy to be perfect? No. Am I encouraged that he came through for us and actually hit a game-winner versus Carolina? Yes. But I am really starting to question this decision and think it has played a direct role in our subpar win-loss record.
