FG Kickers
 

What happened???

We use to have FG kickers on just about every team it seemed that could kick 50 yarders almost automatic.

Someone get to the soccer fields and find us a kicker already.

Re: FG Kickers
 

Yeah, but 58 yards is a stretch for most kickers in the league past and present. 4 out of 5 in Hartley's first game back on the active roster on a sloppy field is pretty impressive. Every FG he made was dead center. I never once cringed or looked away from the TV when he kicked.

Re: FG Kickers
 

Yeah the field conditions were horrible for long kicks. That 58 yard kick could well have been good in a dome. And remember, Hartley made 2 game winning FGs in the game. :D

Re: FG Kickers
 

No worries.

Re: FG Kickers
 

He hit it straight, but even the announcer said he hit it fat. He was trying to put a little extra leg into it and just took some turf first. Almost like he was trying to backspin a 9 iron. I think in the dome he makes that kick.

Carney MUST go.

Re: FG Kickers
 

Its time to get rid of Carney thank him for his services and gear up for the playoffs with Hartley. He looked good yesterday outside of the miss and that last minute field goal would of been good in the dome

Re: FG Kickers
 

My guess is Sean Payton keeps both kickers on the roster throughout the playoffs.

Re: FG Kickers
 

Did someone check Hartley's bag for adderol at the gate before the game? He sure looked like he was concentrating really hard. :p

Re: FG Kickers
 

I don't think Euph was diss'n on Hartley. I think his point was that 10yrs ago it seemed like 50-55yd field goals were more common than today... and I tend to agree.

Re: FG Kickers
 

He's right and Morton was automatic. I think we forget how powerful of a kicker he was. He was automatic from practically anywhere.

Re: FG Kickers
 

I wouldn't be opposed to drafting a kicker in next year's draft. It's worked out well with Morestead... why not a kicker too.

Re: FG Kickers
 

Hunter Lawrence (Texas) is clutch.

Re: FG Kickers
 

What's wrong with Hartley?

Re: FG Kickers
 

Hartley deserves a chance. He's 17-18 as a Saint and I can't hold missing that 58 yarder on that field against him.

Re: FG Kickers
 

I will never hold it against a guy for missing a 58 yard FG. Yes, in the past there seemed to be more guys who could nail those. I think part of it is guys really don't practice at the long ones anymore. The way the rules are written it's usually it's usually best to go for it on 4th down or try to pin the other team inside the 10 by punting. Missing a 50 yard plus FG, which even in the day was still a low percentage attempt, really puts the other team in excellent field position. I really believe if the rules reverted back to the way they were, we would probably see more long attempts, which would mean kickers would train better for the long ones.

No reason to get rid of Carney just yet, I believe he may be hurting a little right now, and given the field conditions it was probably better to go with Hartley. Carney has been very good this year and it would be in the Saints best interest to keep him around, at least if they can. At this point, with a playoff game on the line, I would rather see Carney jog out there to kick it.

Re: FG Kickers
 

Just a few years ago we expected the longest field goal record to fall like at any minute but now its like we are so far from it it wan't fall ever.

Kickers practice long kicks all the time even before a game to see how they will fair with the field conditions ect. Practice Hartley was taking 50 yard attempts before the Skins game. No one would fault him for missing a 58 but the point is it seemed every team could kick a 50 yarder now teams need to get to the 25 to be able to attempt a kick.

Re: FG Kickers
 

Do you think it has anything to do with the only use for kicking footballs? Back in Morten's days they could use older footballs that were broken in and not as hard. Maybe that's a factor.

Re: FG Kickers
 

I'm not holding that 58 yarder against Hartley at all. I like Hartley and have been very comfortable watching him kick last season and now. With that said, it doesn't hurt to bring someone in here, whether drafting or free agency, to compete with him. I'm not trying to be spoiled but it would be nice to have a kicker with that extra juice in his leg. I didn't like Glenn being replaced with Morestead last draft, but it's worked out real well.

Re: FG Kickers
 

That's what I was wondering.

Re: FG Kickers
 

MatthewT brings an excellent point. Just 3-4 years ago, the rules were changed in that a missed FG gives the opposing team the ball at the spot of the kick, not the LOS. The longer the FG is, the better the field position the opposing team gets should you miss the FG. So, coaches are more inclined to punt than try long field goals, unless it is the last play of the half/game.