Rating: (0 votes - average)

Wil Lutz a rarity: a kicker the Saints are actually sticking with

Mike Triplett
ESPN Staff Writer



METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints have used 11 kickers over the past 10 years and five kickers over the past four.

So it’s a bit of a shock to the system to see second-year pro Wil Lutz running unchallenged in training camp, with a virtual stranglehold on the job for the second year in a row.

But that’s exactly what the Saints were hoping for when they made the surprising decision to sign Lutz as an undrafted rookie last year during Week 1 of the regular season, after he had been cut by the Baltimore Ravens. They wanted to finally find a young kicker they could develop and count on for the long term.

The Saints had to stick with the strong-legged rookie from Georgia State through some growing pains early last year. But he finished the season strong. And now the Saints appear to have been rewarded with a battle-tested 23-year-old who looks and feels comfortable in the job.

“I feel like I’m hitting the ball well,” said Lutz, who has looked great early in training camp. “Of course there’s always a couple I’d like back to hit better. But I think the operations are smooth right now, and it’s good to be hitting the ball well this early. So I’m excited to hopefully keep it going.”

Lutz said it certainly helps that he has spent the entire offseason with one team, instead of showing up five days before the season opener like he did last year.

He also seemed to gain a lot last year from working with veteran special teams assistant Kevin O’Dea, who was brought in late last season after the Saints were plagued by blocked kicks.

Though it wasn’t Lutz’s fault every time (the linemen and the snap-hold operation got their share of the blame), the Saints were infamously doomed by blocked kicks last year.

They lost to the Denver Broncos, 25-23, in Week 10 when a potential game-winning extra point was blocked and returned for a two-point conversion. Their 16-13 loss at the New York Giants in Week 2 included a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. And their 23-20 loss at the Carolina Panthers in Week 11 included a blocked field goal that set up a touchdown just before halftime.

More here ...

AsylumGuido

When was the last time that Payton didn't have two or more kickers in camp?

WillMacKenzie

If we lost 3 games on special teams last year, we could've been 10-6 on that alone. Add a moderately better defense and who knows what could happen when everyone least expects it

ChrisXVI

He hasn't missed a single kick yet in training camp.

spkb25

Yeah we lucked out on him. No doubt.

spkb25

Our offense cost us a few games too. The panthers, The Broncos, and the Chiefs come to mind. Far too many turnovers on our side of the ball and/or turning the ball over deep inside the opponents territory.

But yes, ST did not help us and really hurt us or helped cost us games a few times last year. McMahon has needed to go for years.

I agree, improved ST and a defense that is improved from last year (we really need to get after the QB) with this offense could have us pushing for the division and /or playoffs

Your team stinks

dam1953

Funny how we can't find a kicker in 10 years but the Raven's found two and essentially gave us one. Just another example of how weak the Saint's scouting was. Let's hope that "was" is the key word.

vpheughan

Weak as well as blind! The Saints had a NFL kicker in their own back yard: Tulane's Cairo Santos!

QBREES9

Where were scouts on this one. Cairo Santos!

jeanpierre

And I'm undecided if that's a good or bad thing - his is a case of wait and see till live bullets...

But from what the reporters are tweeting, the booming confidence is evident, and that's a good thing...