Let The Great Atlanta Falcon Kicker Debate Begin

by Dave Choate on Jan 13, 2010 6:18 PM EST in NFL News

Coaches in the NFL don't like to spell things out. Mike Smith, for the rakish tilt of his headset and all his other admirable traits, is no different in that regard.

That's why a simple, straightforward question from the Official Site on Monday about Matt Bryant's future with the team was answered by Smith in a manner that was also easy to understand....if you come from the planet Zoobular, where "straightforward" means "shrouded in secrecy."

"Matt Bryant is under contract for next season. When we signed Matt at the end of the season, we also signed him for next season. We also have Steve Hauschka under contract as well."

It's January. I'm cognizant of the fact that the team is months and months away from making any kind of decision about their kicker. Still, this is not a vote of confidence for Bryant, an indication that he may retire, a slam on his abilities or anything else. It's just...Matt Bryant is under contract. So's Steve Hauschka. Do with this what you will. I'm taking my helicopter to my volcanic lair in the Galapagos. Nothing else to see here.

So with nothing to go on and kicker proving to be an important position after Jason Elam's unfortunate season, let's debate this. My feelings on the position next year have been made clear time and time again, as I'd like to see the team go with a young kicker they can mold into a long-term option, though I certainly wouldn't mind one more year of Bryant with the way he kicked in 2009. After all, his 70% field goal conversion ratio is very, very close to Hauschka's 69.2% rate. It's not a strong feeling at this point, but I'd still go with Hauschka.

Feel free to tell me how wrong I am. It's the off-season, after all.

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i would

go with both of them into training camp and then hold a no holds barred steel cage match winner get to be the kicker the loser becomes Jason Elam

by Erihury on Jan 13, 2010 6:49 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

I rec'd this

Because I imagined Steve Hauschka transforming, The Matrix- style, into Jason Elam. Hello, Morten Andersen!

by Dave Choate on Jan 13, 2010 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

Wait wait wait,

Is Morten Still an option?
Im sure he could chip in some 40 yarders. Consistently.

by FlyYouFalcons on Jan 13, 2010 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

I hope he can play even after he gets wheeled out onto the field in a wheelchair.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Jan 13, 2010 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

But honestly, all this says to me is

“We have two kickers. We’re going to keep them for now. Better kicker wins.”

That’s unless I’m missing something. Bryant, if he is so inclined, could mentor Hauschka to be better, but then that might make Hosh better than him, and then he’d be out of a job. Oh, the choices.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Jan 13, 2010 9:37 PM EST reply actions

I'd never be about that veteran tutelage

I’d tell the kid “sure, I promise cutting your own Achilles tendon will make you a better kicker!”

by Dave Choate on Jan 13, 2010 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

Never Wrong!

Dave your never wrong! Just misunderstood like my precious wife! I appreciate you somewhat less than her because she takes care of this old man pretty good!
But when it comes to my Daily Falcon Fix — You are the man! I agree with the young kicker prodigy theory. It would be nice to remedy this precarious position, not withstanding, last years debacles. Lead us onward oh great Falconer of youth…

by Gjmoody on Jan 13, 2010 10:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

A couple of opinons...

I totally agree that we should try to get a young(ish) kicker in place that could play here for a long time. Being a Georgia fan (meaning I saw a lot of games firsthand), I’d like to see them evaluate Brandon Coutu a little more. He was a beast in college, and I think he’s got potential, for sure.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t be upset if they signed Morten Anderson. Seriously. I’ll take guaranteed 40 and unders all day over guys who occasionally can hit a 50 yarder but regualarly miss from inside 40. In emergencies, Koenen can kick from long distance.

Bryant? Hauschka? I dunno.

by TomQ on Jan 14, 2010 8:45 AM EST reply actions

Agreed!

Morton can still kick if he can swing his leg! We could take a shot on some kicker with potential and maybe find a diamond in the rough. Great point!

by Gjmoody on Jan 14, 2010 9:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I have been surprised...

I don’t know why Coutu hasn’t been kicking somewhere. He was an ace in college. I realize the pressure of kicking in the NFL is a lot larger (it’s your livelihood) than college, but man, the guy could kick.

by dwaltlhi on Jan 14, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Why is it so hard for us to get a good young kicker?

Look at New England… Vinatieri becomes a legendarily clutch kicker, so what does NE do when he moves on? Plug in Gotkowski and chug right along.

I know young kickers may not be as cool under pressure as the wily veterans, but sooner or later we should be able to acquire a young kicker and have him stabilize that position for the next decade.

After all, Morten Andersen was once a young, inexperienced kicker!

by Samuel L. Bronkowitz on Jan 14, 2010 9:49 AM EST reply actions

I always thought that the difference between an ordinary kicker and a reliable kicker

is not his leg but his ability to to withstand pressure.
Sure, being able to kick a 60-yarder would be a big plus (and you’d need a kicker with the leg for that, I agree), but 70, maybe 80 percent of all FG are within 40 yards maybe (it would be interesting to see the stats).
I like the idea with Hauschka or Coutu because they are young and could become franchize players in the long run if they can prove they can execute when the game is on the line. But I agree with TomQ – nothing beats the reliability of some veteran kickers. Sure, some of those veterans can also suck – like Elam, but the probability of a veteran screwing up a kick is much lower than the probability of an average young kicker doing the same.
So, basically I like the idea of keeping at least Bryant and having Hauschka as a back up whom they may entrust kicking shorter kicks first in the big games to build his confidence again.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Jan 14, 2010 10:37 AM EST reply actions

Interesting idea, keeping both.

Definitely doable through the preseason, but they may have to make a decision between the two come regular season.

by TomQ on Jan 14, 2010 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

is that because

active roster spots are too precious?

On a different subject – someone here said Koenen can kick long FGs – has he ever done that in a regular season or preseason game?

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Jan 15, 2010 9:15 AM EST up reply actions

Yes...

Active roster spots are too precious.

Koenen has definitely attempted long FGs. He’s not very good, but he’s hit some long ones (I think he made a 58 yarder once).

by TomQ on Jan 15, 2010 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't lump Elam in with the terms "kicker" and "suck"

I mean he IS arguably one of the best kickers of all time, ya know.

To be honest, I think he just lost it. He’d been battling muscle injuries all year, he never really got into his Mr. Automatic groove.

I think he just lost it. Everyone loses it eventually, I think it was just his turn. It’s a shame, but it happens.

"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!" -Wes Durham

by Zippo729 on Jan 15, 2010 2:23 AM EST up reply actions

Good perspective..

by TomQ on Jan 15, 2010 8:47 AM EST up reply actions

you are right

I haven’t meant to label someone as a bust. He was indeed a good kicker, and will remain such until someone can kick as accurately as he used to for years. I actually remember him kicking for the Broncos (and he spoiled my Chiefs back then a lot), and he was also on that team that beat the Falcons in 1999 SB.
He may not have known what lies ahead at the beginning of this season, othetwise he’d peacefully quit I guess.
Having said that, what comes to my mind is the unusual number of kickers this year who failed miserably – and Elam wasn’t the worst of those.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Jan 15, 2010 9:13 AM EST up reply actions

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH KICKERS....

I just wanted to be the first to start the official petition of the falcon fans to mr. Dimitroff for him to sign Osi Yumenyora this offseason PLEASE!!! We need another pass rusher opposite Abraham and with him our secondary would instantly be improved with a monstrous pass rush we would have then!!
And about the kickers, go with both and let them battle it out in the preseason- best kicker gets the roster spot!!

by ATLsince1972 on Jan 15, 2010 10:55 AM EST reply actions