Last week we discussed the possible kicking candidates for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2010 season. You can cross one of those kickers off your list because today the Arizona Cardinals signed Jay Feely.
I was interested to read Jamison Hensley’s view on the signing, specifically when he said, “The Ravens now have the upper-hand in the free-agent market. The Feely deal takes the Cardinals out of the market for a kicker, and it leaves Neil Rackers and Shayne Graham still without teams. The Ravens could have their pick of either one.”
Or, they could have had their pick of one of the three.
Last year, the Ravens made the bold move of parting ways with Matt Stover with no real plan. They had a kicking competition, if you could really call it that, between two guys with no business playing professional football, Graham Gano and Steve Hauschka. To me, it appeared that the Ravens knew they didn’t want Stover, but had no plan for replacing him with an actual kicker.
But you know that story, Billy Cundiff comes in and saves the day. He booted five field goals in his debut against the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore, talk about pressure.
Since the season came to an end, the rumors about Baltimore kickers have been swirling once again. Despite John Harbaugh’s comments during the season on bringing Stover back to Baltimore, no news about Stover has been reported. Instead, Baltimore has been in the market for some competition for Cundiff, or even a possible replacement.
This year, the kicking market had three viable candidates, unlike last season when, unfortunately, the Ravens decided to leave Stover looking for work. I’m hoping the Ravens have a plan this go around, that they won’t cut a guy if they don’t have a replacement and that they won’t tell the fans they’re holding a competition for a position between two guys that don’t belong in professional football.
But letting one guy go certainly doesn’t leave me feeling like the Ravens have the upper hand. What do you think? Who will we see kicking for the Ravens in 2010?
I personally witnessed both Will-o and my 16 year old daughter Madison kick clutch 20 yarders from the field at M & T with thousands of fans watching. Talk about pressure!!! Maybe one of those two could be part of this year's competition?
Don't laugh, it wouldn't be any worse than Gano and Haushka and that sideshow that took place last year at McDaniel College.
This goes out to the REAL Special Teams Guru, John Harbaugh…you earned your way in this league as a Special Teams Coach, yet you had a "competition" between two clowns with no business being on the field (we saw Haushka's weak kick-offs the last half of 2008)…do you realize that this team has historically relied on its' kicker and doesn't usually score many points? Do you realize a kicker wins one or two games a year that may mean the difference between a bye and not even making the playoffs? GET A REAL KICKER, Special Teams Guru!
The Ravens don't have the kind of money it would take to sign me…besides the league would probably frown on me sporting the number 0. Seriously don't bring Stover back, that ship has sailed. Hold a legitimate competiton or bring back Cundiff.
I'm fine if it's a legitimate kicking competition. My issue was that there wasn't one last season, though fans were told "There Was One"
And, Arizona took one of these guys off the list. I don't see how anyone could think losing competition gives the Ravens the "upper hand"
In order to have a "competition" there must be two viable candidates. Neither Haushcka nor Gano was a viable NFL kicker and the Guru, Harbs, should have known that.
STD – Your missing the picture.. Its not about competition or such, its about Harbaughs ego… He didn't like Stover and basically crapped on all the Ravens fans and players trying to act like he was a Special Teams Guru and that he could teach anybody to kick and he wanted "his" guy. So on a playoff, possible SB team he goes and gets a, basically, rookie. Not taking into affect that he is cutting Mr. Clutch, one of the all-time leaders in field goals and handing the job to a stiff.
So now, one of the two main scoring positions on any team much less a SB team is given to a bum.
It was ridiculous that Stover wasn't even invited to join the "competition." And honestly, that fact should have been enough reason for every fan to know that Baltimore wasn't seriously holding a competition for the position.
Can't be 2488…the media tells me how humble and self effacing Harbaugh is…he can't have an ego!
This is the same media that tells me how humble and self effacing Ripken was…yet Ripken, at the mid way point of the season, announces his season ending retirement in order to have a farewell tour around the country.
Didn't Barry Sanders just up and retire after the season with no fanfare or parades or teams giving him cars?
Barry Sanders
Simply the best football player I've ever seen.
I was an adopted Lions fan during my childhood.
Barry was unreal.
Barry was good but the best I ever saw was Walter Payton. Still think its a shame that Emmitt limped his way to the yardage lead. I would rather Sanders done it with style.
I agree with Will-o above. The Stover ship has come and gone. Have the competition or bring back Cundiff. 2488 and STD, why don't you talk about the competetion instead of taking every opportiunity to throw a jab at Hardballs. You two clowns couldn't kick a ten yard fg. I bet I could do better than you with my bum knee and bottle of vodka. Stay on subject idiots!!
Happy Easter to you too, Pole!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6cxNR9ML8k
You just made the list, buddy. And I don't like nobody touching my stuff. So just keep your meat-hooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff, I'll kill you. Also, I don't like nobody touching me. Now, any of you homos touch me, and I'll kill you.