It looks as if the Ravens are thinking about next years kicker. After a disastrous 2009 start with Steven Houshka, the Ravens brought in Billy Cundiff for mop-up duty. Unfortunately, Cundiff was the victim of some questionable snaps by long snapper Matt Katula. It’s looking like 2010 will be a different story.
According to Jamison Hensley, the Ravens have already met with Bengals Kicker- Shayne Graham, the former Virginia Tech standout. They have also contacted Neil Rackers of the Arizona Cardinals. Both have had solid careers. They also missed some big kicks in the playoffs last year.
I think bringing in either one would be an upgrade. My preference is Rackers because he is stronger with kickoffs and doesn’t have the health concerns. What are your thoughts?
Last year the Ravens took a strength and made it a weakness, why? Don't let the third most accurate kicker in NFL history go if you don't have somebody better to replace him, especially on a team that relies so much on field goals. I watched Haushcka in 2008 when they brought him in November to perform kick-offs. Rarely if ever did he kick the ball deep, much less in the endzone. I often complained about the roster spot he held. Then the fiasco that they called a "competition" for kicker last summer…two duds – Gano and Haushka – hell, I saw Will-o nail a 20 yarder at M & T at FanFest – sign him up. It was a battle of attrition. The Ravens couldn't hold two kickers, but the AFC Champions could?!?!
Rackers of Graham would be an upgrade over Cundiff.
STD – You also have to understand that this was also Harbaughs ego playing into not signing Stover. Like you said, you don't take the 3rd most accurate kicker who really did not show he was losing it other than long kickoffs and give the job to basically a rookie. Other than QB, Harbaugh takes the 2nd most pressure filled job on a football team and gives it to an unproven guy.
Harbaugh is an egomanic who thinks he knows everything… Harbaugh does not want anyone questioning him, as you can see in his interviews, or players that aren't "Yes" men… Harbaugh didn't want Ray Lewis back and was hoping he signed elsewhere but he knew that if it was shown that he pushed Lewis out the door he would get a butt whooping from the fans.
I hope the fans wake up and see this clown for what he is, because he ain't a Baltimore kind of guy…
2488 – I agree, Harbaugh is an egomaniac. I just think it’s funny how all the fans that didn’t like Billick because of his ego, have embraced Harbaugh. He’s short with the media, he’s Matt’s next door neighbor…
STD – Matt still cuts the "Egomaniac Clown's" grass…. That's why Matty likes Harbs… I like Matty but when he takes up for Harbs because he lives next to them then thats where I draw the line in the concrete…
I don't care who they bring in, but I just hope it's a guy or gal who can consistently put the kick offs in the end zone. I don't know IF they keep stats on touch backs, but I'l bet the Ravens were among the lowest for the past few years. Stover sucked at it as have the others who followed. Maybe the lingerie football league has a young upstart who can put a foot in some balls?
How about Will-o? Saw him nail a 20 yarder at Fanfest?!?!
Hey, sign up for Fantasy…Draft is tomorrow…what's the deal?!?!
This kicker thing reminds me of an incident I had on a warm summers evening, I was on a train bound for nowhere. There beside me once the most foul smelling, Camel smoking, Aviator glasses wearing, ladies man you would ever meet. I'll call him "Wings". In our little seat formation was I, Wings, the most gorgeous woman you would ever meet who told me her name was Corky, two guys who looked like Penn & Teller, a guy with a head the shape of a potato and a guy who you couldn't understand when he talked whom I named "Mumbles". I will continue this later but to keep the suspense I will provide a preview…. I ran amuck playing my fiddle while whaling on Penn & Teller….
2488 and STD – You two are clowns.
This thread was supposed to be talking about the kicker situation and you two morons twist into a discussion on Hardballs, and imagine that, even Billick was brought into the conversation. Blah, blah, blah. Same ole song. Keep on the topic you two halfwits.
Hahaha, don't act surprised.
There was one?!?
I'd like to point out that Baltimore's rag (aka The Sun) is just running this "news" about the kickers today!!!
BSR beat'em by, what 3 days?!?!
That's how we roll.
Sorry I am late to joining the fray, but I have news for you guys All head coaches in professional sports have egos. That is one of the reasons they ascend to the heights they do. And if they had their druthers no head coach would want to talk to the media.
I was a fan of Billick. Sad to see him go, but it was clear his message was no longer getting through. And I am also a fan of Harbs. I think he is a no bull type guy who demands absolute committment from his guys. I can't blame him for wanting to have control of the locker room and have guys he trusts in it.
I also think the Stover thing is overblown. He would not have been on a roster last year were it not for an injury to a starting kicker. Stover was great while in Baltimore, but he does not have the leg anymore. His absence from the Ravens had little to no impact on the way their season turned out.