Does Anyone Really Think Neil Rackers Is Going To Win The Kicking Gig?
by Tim on Aug 24, 2010 2:32 PM CDT
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PrintI know I don't. For all the hope that Rackers v. Brown would be a legitimate kicking competition, I can't shake the feeling that the hay is in the barn.
Kris Brown is the devil Kubes knows. Kris Brown hasn't looked awful in OTAs or training camp; indeed, an objective observer with no memory of last season might even say Brown looks good. That's nice and all, but isn't Kubes doing the Texans a disservice by not taking 2009 into account as he makes his decision? Because if the kickers are truly as neck-and-neck as reports from camp indicate they are, why wouldn't Brown's struggles last year enter into the equation?
Yet barring a meltdown in the next eleven days that resembles what Brown did during the 2009 season, I think Neil Rackers will be $350,000.00 richer for his time in Houston and ultimately plying his trade somewhere else. Am I alone on this? Or are you of the mind that the fabled kicking competition of 2010 in Houston is already over and done with, notwithstanding Rackers nailing a FG from 52 yards out a few nights ago?
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I haven't bothered to watch the replay...
because I don’t want to feel like kicking stuff, but as I was watching the game, it seemed liked Rackers’ kickoffs were particularly poor. Not that Brown’s were awesome but Rackers’ kickoffs looked linedrivey. Am I misremembering? Someone braver than me want to look at their DVR?
You don't even need a DVR, they're in the ESPN boxscore
Brown: 69, 67, 59
Rackers: 72, 55
Rackers the best and the worst, and they both flubbed one.
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by riversmccown on Aug 24, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
And here's the Arizona game for those wondering
Rackers: 67, 68, 73
Brown: 68, 75
That shoots holes in the “deeper kick-off” theory.
"Lord, beer me strength."
Kubes complained about both of their kickoffs last week.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
It's not just the length of the kickoff...
It’s the shape. Kubiak doesn’t want linedrive-sque sorts of kicks because the kickoff group can’t catch up. Typically, Coach Joe puts a greater emphasis on placement versus distance. He doesn’t want any big returns.
I hope beyond all hope
Rackers wins this. If they keep Brown and he misses another down to the wire FG, we will all scream bloody murder, chug bleach, and jump off of Reliant. If they take Rackers, and he misses one, we’ll all say, “Well they made a legitimate change. Can’t make them all.”
I am Sancho
by HoustonTransplant on Aug 24, 2010 2:38 PM CDT reply actions
It has to be Rackers
Forget that he’s been better in camp and has the slightly more impressive pre-season FG. Forget that we have yet to see Kris Brown actually attempt a kick in a pressure situation.
Rackers should get the job because if Brown’s in Houston and when he misses (since every kicker misses at least once) he’ll have a fanbase ready to skin him alive. He’ll hear “same ol’ shit.” As we see with this disappointing pre-season performance, the fans are quick to go Chicken Little. He’ll hear it and then he’ll get the pressure shanks again because he’s a proven headcase kicker.
"Lord, beer me strength."
I agree with the part about how the fans will react
Of course there will be fans who would have a similar reaction if we were forced to go for it on fourth down late in a game because Rackers didn’t have the leg for a 55 yarder.
I know some of the reports out of camp early indicated that Brown had a few more misses than Rackers….but that’s just the times when someone was there to report about it. I haven’t heard any reports on how they have kicked in practice in a week or two. So it’s entirely possible that Brown has performed better.
If Brown performs better, or it’s a true dead-heat, and he can convince Kubiak that he’s mentally tough enough to handle a miss without it turning into a slump…then he should win the job. If Rackers is better…then he’s better.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
All of those game-winning/tying field goals came within 50 yards. It’s great to have the potential to make a 55 yard field goal, but I’d rather have a kicker who can consistently make the easy kicks while also being able to shake off a miss.
"Lord, beer me strength."
I don't disagree with that
I’m saying if they really have performed equally then you take the one with greater range.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
The last guy I figured who would be a Kris Brown apologist....
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
How is it that being an apologist
All I’m saying is if they are truly dead even when they count up makes and misses the separating factor would be distance.
There’s two things that bug me about the tone of the whole kicking argument
-Everyone is assuming that Rackers has been better in camp, but we’ve only had a handful of Brown went 8 for 10 and Rackers went 9 for 10 type reports. We haven’t seen, or had anyone report, on a vast majority of either ones kicks in camp. Kubiak could be blowing smoke up everyone’s ass with the dead even talk, but we don’t know how the vast majority of the kicking battles went.
-It appears that people have decided that Rackers should win the job no matter what, and if Kubiak doesn’t make the same decision it’s because he’s knowingly saying “I am not taking the best guy”. Kicker is the easiest spot to evaluate. How many did you make vs. how many did you miss and from how far away. Sure theirs a mental aspect to it as well, but I don’t see how in the world we can honestly evaluate Brown’s mental make up from afar.
I don’t care who wins honestly. If Rackers is significantly(depending on your definition of significant) more accurate then I would think he gets the job. If he’s not he won’t. I’m assuming that Kubiak will make the decision on how they have performed.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
if they are truly dead even..
you take the guy with the better track record…Rackers. The guy who hasn’t missed 11 field goals in his previous season. The guy who doesn’t have immense pressure from his team and city because he shanked away a playoff season on 3 different occasions just a year previous. This should be an easier decision then its being made out to be..i don’t understand.
by leacheatsbabies on Aug 24, 2010 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions
You're ready to forgive and forget that Kris Brown blew it for the Texans last year
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Kris Brown didn't blow it!
Any team who has to rely on a field goal kicker to make the playoffs probably shouldn’t be there anyway. Brown didn’t miss any game winners anyway. He missed a couple of game tying kicks but with our offense we shouldn’t have been in that position anyway. If the Texans are going to be an elite team they are going to do it as a team and not based on any 1 player’s performance. A superbowl caliber team will win enough games without needing a field goal kicker at all. Once they get to the playoffs its another story but the Texans have never been a playoff caliber team and Kris Brown is not the reason. I hope with all my being that changes this year but if it does it will be because this TEAM wants is bad enough.
Yes, let's just run a donkey out there and blame it on the TEAM.....
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
That's why there's kickers.
So you can rely on them to put up 3 points when your drive stalls.
by Jordann on Aug 25, 2010 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree 100%
But if you are a superbowl quality team then a field goal will only make the difference in a couple of games during the season. Much different once you get to the playoffs where the teams are all good, if not great. Rip – I seem to remember a movie a while back where a donkey was kicking. Might not be a bad idea!
Plenty of teams rely on their kickers
to win superbowl games. To win play off games. To win a game in general. That’s why they’re on a team and some teams pay tons of money to have that position locked down and not have to worry about it when you’re down 2 points with the time expiring and you’re in FG range.
Did you watch the super bowl?
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Those damn Saints
The nerve, kicking a 40-yd field goal to beat MN in the AFC Championship game. They are such assholes for being a recent example of a major fucking hole in Mikus##’ s theory about kickers.
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
Roger Goodell does not approve this post
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
hah thats right not super bowl
the one before. Its just stupid to claim Kickers are not important, and are only important if you suck.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Even in the SB
It was 3 FGs (46, 44, & 47 yards) that kept them within striking distance of the Colts until the 4th quarter.
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
My theory!
I think blind hatred of Kris Brown has blinded everyone to a part of every post I’ve made on this subject. IT IS MUCH DIFFERENT IN THE PLAYOFFS! Yes, in the playoffs a kicker is extremely valuable since the teams are so closely matched. During the season they only make a difference in a couple or a few games, if you are an elite team that has a chance anyway. An elite team easily makes the playoffs without an elite kicker. Average is sufficient. It would be great if we could have elite players at every position on the team but these days it just isnt going to happen. It’s not baseball and we aren’t the Yankees! Maybe we should give up Schaub or AJ and go with DanO and Walter as our number 1’s so we can get the best kicker in the world. That, I think, will get us to the SuperBowl!
Kris Brown...
I think the whole thing was just to get Kris refocused. In reality they are basically the same, but I think KB can make longer kicks.
There is no guarantee that Rackers would make those clutch kicks anyway, hell he only tried like 17 last year or something like that.
GO TEXANS!!!!
Our time will come...
true that....
but he’s capable of long FGs and Rackers just hit a 50 yarder, but it was the first one he’s tried in a while. I just think Kris Brown will be the Kicker whether that’s good or bad we will see.
GO TEXANS!!!!
Our time will come...
Kickoff length/hangtime is a factor too
We don’t want to spot opposing offenses any more field position than necessary…especially after that showing Saturday night.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
I also think...
In order to have the Season the Texans think they will or want to have, the team should be less reliant on FG’s,
GO TEXANS!!!!
Our time will come...
I agree.
Wouldn’t it be crazy if a team just used their PK for extra points and kickoffs? Either go for it always on fourth down or punt (depending on where you are on the field). I think it would be interesting and enjoyable to watch a game like that.
Miss-placed Houstonian living and going to school in the wilderness of Wyoming.
There's a high school team that doesn't kick...at all.
There’s actually been some statistical analysis that backs it up as sound strategy. The high school started because they just didn’t have anyone who could kick worth a damn…and once they did it they felt like it gave them an advantage so they just kept doing it. They don’t kick FGs, don’t punt, always go for two, and I believe they even try the onside kick every time as well.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
Interesting.
Do you have any idea what High School that is?
Miss-placed Houstonian living and going to school in the wilderness of Wyoming.
It was in an article in SI a few years back
Don’t remember the name.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
I remember hearing about them, but don't remember which school it was
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on Aug 24, 2010 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Easterbrook has written an article about it.
You can read it here. There is a school of thought, with some analysis behind it, that says that punting on fourth down is almost never the right play. Coaches tend to do it because they are conservative and fear the consequences of failure (see also how Belichick got reamed for going for it last year vs Indy) but, over time, teams actually do better when they go for it every fourth then when they punt on fourth.
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
www.battleredblog.com
by tehGrindCrusher on Aug 25, 2010 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Against Indy I wouldn't mind doing it as long as we had gotten past the 50
I’m just not comfortable handing them the ball in field goal range though.
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Institutional blindness
Loyalty to vets is one of the problems with the Texans. There seems to be an institutional blindness that manifests itself in times like this and in player acquisition through the draft and free agency. Is there any doubt that if Gatkowski (sp?) had cost the Patriots wins last year he would have been cut in the offseason if not in the following week? The truth is kickers in the NFL are a. common and b. inconsistent from year to year. The best thing to do would be do latch on to a decent kicker and ride him until he crashes and burns. The worst thing to do with a position like this (i.e. not a lot of physical demands but requiring mental toughness) would be to keep a guy who crashed and burned in the manner that Brown did last season. I am tempted to give the FO and Kubes a pass here. But how many passes can we give them? How many offseasons can go by before they draft a decent DT, a top flight safety, better O-linemen?
I think you could make the same "blindness" statement about the fans
Once the fan base makes up their minds about a player it is almost impossible to to change their minds. Look at how bad things had to get with Dunta before people started to turn on him….and I guarantee you there are still numerous fans who think letting him go was a huge loss.
If Kris Brown wins this job it will be almost impossible to convince fans he won it on anything other than Kubiak’s loyalty. Kubiak could show everyone tape of every field goal they kicked in camp that showed Brown was significantly more accurate in practice and had a stronger leg for kick-offs and plenty of people would assume, no matter what, that Kubiak just handed it to him.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
KB has what the ladies love
Length.
Jacoby is my ghostwriter.
by Salad on Aug 24, 2010 2:55 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Actually its width with KB....
Wide right
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or, shank left
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
KB does something the ladies don't like
Misses and hits thigh
I am Sancho
by HoustonTransplant on Aug 25, 2010 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with the writer
Minus a complete unraveling over the next two preseason games, Kris Brown has already been handed the job of kicking. This whole production is a farcical chicanery of motion without meaning. Thanks for visiting, Neil Rackers!
What’s that?
I’m sorry….did I hear you right?
ummm, you can’t be serious.
Kris Brown, you said, Kris Brown single-handedly kept the Texans out of the playoffs last year? I don’t believe it! What’s he still doing here?
Uggghhhh……..
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
It's tough...
As much as Brown pi$$ed me off last season he still had (untill then) been locked and loaded and Mr. Dependable. I think Kubiak brought on Racker to test Brown to see if it was just a case of the chilly dippers or a real regression in his skill. I like to call it the Brad Lidge syndrome. A clutch player for one reason or another gets off his game and it goes straight to his head, and it’s hard as hell to get it out. But a change of pace, a change of team, or the threat of joblessness kicks the right mindset back and then good prevails. My money is on Brown, and if it’s him…….God I hope I’m right. GO TEXANS!!!!
If I had to choose
I say keep what you know. And his wife is pretty smokin
by AllenOU on Aug 24, 2010 7:11 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
If you're using history...
The known: A kicker with a Texans career average of 77% FGs made and 37 FGs missed from 49 yards or less.
The unknown: A kicker who has averaged 83% FGs made and only missed 18 FGs from 49 yards or less in the same eight-year time frame.
And now that I put it in terms of “easy” kicks…I’m even more anti-Brown than I was earlier today. He’s just got a history of missing easy kicks.
"Lord, beer me strength."
by TexansDC on Aug 24, 2010 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think that bfd voting for rackers 106 times
is an overzealous attempt at swaying kubes through poles that kubes uses for tp. I would like for rackers to be our kicker but am a realist and see it being shankapotomus.
"Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries! Now Go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"
Go Texans!
and you know who's going to get shanked in all of this.....
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
For the record, I agree with the premise that Kris Brown is practically a shoe-in already.....
also for the record, I think it’s insane. Go way way back, back to when the Texans began as a franchise. He had been cut by the Steelers at that time, because he had the very same type of season-long meltdown, missing various kicks throughout. He/They blamed it on the swirling winds at newly built Heinz Field, but plenty of field goals have been kicked there since, so…….
It would seem that he is prone to periodic lapses in his focus/confidence. Periodic to me means it will happen again. I also point to the fact that all was fine with him until we had the very most on the line, more than we had had ever in our short history. More expectations and pressure to win. That very same pressure exists this season, in fact, it’s probably even stronger than last year. Kubes’ job, a few other jobs…..even Brown’s job if he is given another chance-are more than likely at stake this year. I fail to see how I should invest my trust in him.
I’ll take Rackers with a shorter leg. All day and twice on Sunday.
"It's the sport of kings....better than diamond rings.....football."
by Christopher H on Aug 24, 2010 10:27 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs
Your Ideas Intrigue Me
And I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
By the way, welcome, Christopher.
Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...
Thanks for the welcome
I have lurked for a long time, but I had to weigh in, considering how nauseous I got last year watching him shank game winners.
I don’t really have a newsletter, sad to say. I do have a blog on ESPN, but I haven’t blogged there in around a year or so, but I cranked a few novelettes out before then. I’ll try to be more involved here.
"It's the sport of kings....better than diamond rings.....football."
by Christopher H on Aug 24, 2010 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Comparing their long term stats
Rackers is more accurate (82% vs. 77%). However, Brown is much better rushing the football.
Reportedly, Rackers was let go by the Cardinals due to lack of leg strength. Their kick-offs were pretty equal, distance wise. But I am unsure about hang-time.
I feel that we just need to dump Kris Brown
Then pass a team rule forbidding them to sign anyone named Kris Brown, Chris Brown, or any other variation of the spelling (i.e. Chrys, Krys, Cris, Khris, etc..)
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
I'd be all for taking him
Hell, he’s practically their entire offense, & damn near beat UT by himself
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on Aug 25, 2010 7:39 AM CDT up reply actions
they wasted a pick on the Trindon Holliday experiment
I was all for drafting Holliday, but I didn’t know enough about him and his inability to catch a football. Now I do. I don’t want him on my team. The FO should have known about it and they should have given him a private workout before the draft. Shame on them for not doing that. To summarize, if there was a legitimate kicker in the draft, I would not have objected to the Texans using the Holliday pick for a kicker. Not exciting, I know, but sometimes practical is the way to go.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
I think we all where excited to see him picked up.
So now we down two draft picks whos next? I hope Kareem makes plzzzzzzzzz make it through the year.
Draft picks
I can’t complain about the draft picks. I’m not really complaining about Holliday, well, maybe just a little. But, reports on the other guys seem good. Early Mitchell hasn’t hit any home runs, but he has shown up from reports from people who analyze tape. Same with Shelley Smith. I hope that guy pans out, because there really need interior linemen. McMannis is impressing on special teams. I like that. The guy has something and being drafted at that position, maybe he will hang on and develop. Dickerson, have to like that guy with his ability and his potential. I really think he can play now. Who else am I forgetting? Feel free to chime in.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Let's give it a couple of years
But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dickerson and – especially – Mitchell have an impact by the end of this season.
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
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by tehGrindCrusher on Aug 26, 2010 6:36 AM CDT up reply actions
/buys ticket
/waits in line to board the bandwagon
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
yeah lets use a 1st rounder on one like the Raiders
It’d be sweet to have a Sebastian Janikowski attempting 70 yarders..since some seem to have a problem with Rackers’ range..
No but seriously, Rackers needs to win this job.
by leacheatsbabies on Aug 25, 2010 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions
I believe I suggested this around draft time
I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but you appear to be unarmed.
by The Night Owl on Aug 25, 2010 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions
We just need a kicker who is reliable for the 30 to 49 yarders...that's Rackers for now
I might be jumping on your bandwagon next season if Rackers doesn’t pan out. Kris Brown should be dumped and I think that is the bandwagon that is running hot right now.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Sadly enough,
I think they’ll give the spot to Kris Brown.
Just a gut feeling.
Do I want that to happen? Hell no. But it’s going to.
Make sure you buy bleach by the gallons guys. I heard they sell industrial sized clorox at Sam’s.
Kubiak is getting raped in the media again for not being tough enough on players.
For not being a tough head coach and being to friendly with players.
ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, if I were him, I would drop Kris Brown and go with Rackers to show I can be a “tough coach”.
"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."
What happens when an unstoppable force meets three defensive players? THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWqMqrZwTU
We don't know what goes on behind closed doors
Maybe Kubiak is not a Kris Brown guy. Maybe he is serious in bringing in Rackers. Personally, I think Rackers is the guy the Texans need and he was the right guy out of all the guys out there to bring in. Now, realistically, yes, you can’t just grab Rackers and say, “You’re the guy!” He needs that competition, too, in order to succeed for this team. So, while I am hesitant to commit on all this, Kubiak is going about it in the right way. He does a lot of things for a reason and his reasons are usually pretty sound. Where I feel he falls a little short is gametime decisions. He needs to improve on that and I think he knows it and is trying. On this kicker thing, he is #1, going to get the better kicker of the two and #2, he is going to get the respect of his players. The team sees what he is doing and they wouldn’t want it any other way if it was their job on the line.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
that's my whole thing
The one who kicks better will make win the job. The end.
This was almost like crying in your bleach over a decision that hasn’t even been made yet. I thought Brown was done here after last year, and would have been behind that decision 1000%. Once they decided to let him compete for the job, the past was the past and it’s all about who performs Better in camp. If Kubes doesn’t give the job to the one who was Better in camp he’ll lose the respect of the players…and that’s as important as X’s and O’s.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
by papabear on Aug 25, 2010 8:18 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I think that toughness thing is overated.
I don’t remember Bill Walsh being a tyrant or anything. Tony Dungy and George Seifert as well, not all coaches have to be from the Bill Parcells mold to be successful.
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^^^ This.
I'll eliminate you like I eliminate gluten from my diet.
www.battleredblog.com
by tehGrindCrusher on Aug 26, 2010 6:37 AM CDT up reply actions
For 8 years ...
I’ve been watching Kris Brown kick for the Texans. I have seen every game the Texans have played and have pulled my hair out at times because of Kris Brown missing a kick or kicking the ball too low into the D-Line. But there have been many more times that I have been jumping for joy because he made a pressure kick or have said wow, how did he make that 56-yarder! Kris had a horrible year last year, the worst of his career, but he’s not too old to kick in this league and I don’t see him repeating last year’s performance. Unless Kris completely breaks down the rest of pre-season he will be the Texans’ kicker and I, for one, will be glad to have him. Go Kris!
Dang you got me!
No I’m not Spencer I just think the bashing has been a little over the top on this post.
Dude,
I’ve seen worse in other post. If you were coming to Kris Brown’s rescue, I think you’re a little too late!
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have the old Kris Brown back. But the new Kris Brown is unreliable. When you’re a young team and every point counts, you have to have a position such as the PK locked down.
There's really no comeback to that...
Why do people try?
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
We all talk about kicking power of both guys.
I will tell you this, our offense is too good to be letting a kicker kick from 50 and above. I know we can get alot closer to make kicks easier for whoever kicks. I don’t think we will kick a 50 yarder this year so with that said i will take rackers. Take this with you i know many ppl might not look into this but Kris brown is from Irving yes DALLAS so if we lose them because he miss field goals, i will perosnally kick his ass off the team and i won’t miss.
Year to year consistency with kickers is low
For people to look at what happen with Brown at the Steelers or with Rackers at the end of the time with the Cardinals isn’t quite right.
Even the best kickers statistics show are NOT consistent from year to year. And last year in particular, was a terrible year for kickers throughout the league. So it was worth paying the premium to see what Rackers had because there was going to be a demand for his services. To create a real competition because there was no way they wanted to go into camp with just one kicker that they knew couldn’t make kicks in practice much less games.
I have no idea who is going to win this competition because I haven’t seen all their kicks.
Off topic question *
In the first game won’t we be in the nickel as our base defense ? Won’t need a 3rd starting linebacker against Peightan.
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Yep
Should be just Diles and Ryans, asides from goal line situations.
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by riversmccown on Aug 25, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Ok cool, so really only missing cushing for 3 games.
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sort of
Cushing would likely be out their over Diles in some situations if he was available.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
We don't have a linebacker that can cover Clark anyways.
So Diles will be getting burned instead of Cush, but I don’t think the loss of Cush is as critical in that game as the next two.
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You can browse the blog, but you can't participate.
Hi CFHTim. You're trolling yet another SB Nation blog. Since you've been banned from several other SB Nation blogs, you don't get a warning. You get banned. If you want to get unbanned, email BBS and state your case for re-admission.
agreed
…but on the rare occasions we do blitz, Cushing is much more effective than Diles.
"Well, at least our players kept their helmets on, so that showed some intelligence"-Bob McNair
Stop the Hating!
I can’t believe all the Kris Brown bashing going on. How quickly everyone forgets all the bad years when Kris was one of the few bright spots on the team. At times he’s been called “Mr. Consistency”. Yes, he had a terrible year last year but seriously, if the only way we make the playoffs is by having a perfect kicking game, how far do you think we will go. Superbowl? Not a chance. This TEAM has to prove it wants to be there – not Kris Brown, not Gary Kubiak, and not Bob McNair. The team (53 players) have to perform and if Kris Neil Rackers Brown is the only reason we are successful, it will be very short-lived anyway. How about we actually stop an offense when we have to? How about we actually score a touchdown in the red zone? Let the TEAM do what they are paid to do and what they most definitely have the talent to do and we will win it all with any kicker or none. Sorry – just venting! Peace!
Who calls him Mr. Consistency?
Dude has a Texans career average of 77% FGs made and has missed 37 FGs under 49 yards (compared to 83% and 18 missed by Rackers during the same time frame). He’s just an average kicker at best.
"Lord, beer me strength."
Okay granted ...
he’s an average kicker. There was a year (don’t remember which without research and I don’t have the time right now) when he hit 20+ consecutive kicks. My point was that Kris Brown or any other kicker is not going to make or break a great team. An average kicker is sufficient on an elite team.
we don't strive for average...
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
by Rip Jersey on Aug 25, 2010 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
You make a good cheerleader for Kris Brown
Let’s keep all the jackasses on the team, because they’re a TEAM.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Why is he a jackass?
He may be an average kicker but that should be all we need to get where we are going. Neil Rackers is the same – average – so if we go with him, great. Average is all that’s needed when all the other pieces are there.
Yes, let's be average....or in Brown's case, below average
That’s all we need! Hahaha! I love it!
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
Short Memory or Tunnel Vision?
Brown is getting blasted for missing three field goals which lost us two games (Indy and Tennessee). Schaub lost a few games for us last year by throwing Pick-6s (Indy II and Arizona), but I don’t see anyone calling for his head. Why? Because he was consistent otherwise when it mattered or his mistakes weren’t as costly as they were in the two games in question.
Now I’m not trying to say that Brown was top 5 at his position last year, but he definitely has been in the past and he definitely could be again. He shows no signs of his years insofar as distance is concerned (as Rackers does). And as for clutch kicking, Rackers missed the most important kick of his season last year IN THE PLAYOFFS from 34 yards out. He also missed two games due to injury.
I say give Brown another year and if he goes all shankapotamus on us again, then we should all hop on the Henery bandwagon. Maybe we could get a 12-yr Husker kicker cycle thing going…
Kris Brown has to go because there are better options
Simple as that. There’s no loyalty when it comes to blown kicks. He should have been gone sooner, but only for Kubiak’s unusual show of loyalty, he’s still here. Any other coach would have given him the heave-ho a lot sooner.
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
If I was talking about loyalty...
…I’d say keep him until he retires regardless of however he does next year (and find some way to get Mittens back here in a backup role so that when Schaub leads us to a SB ring Mittens can have one for leading the league in sacks all those years for us).
What I’m actually talking about is who the better kicker is, and this year that will be Kris Brown.
so, misssing all those other kicks when the game wasn't on the line, that doesn't count towards being consistent?
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
not even close to the point
Consistency just means you do the same thing fairly regularly and I was talking about Schaub when I mentioned it above and why people weren’t griping about him and his clutch mistakes so much.
But since you brought it up, Brown was pretty consistent last year… in missing field goals. Not all of them were in the clutch. Not all of them hurt us. I’m saying it is a problem that needs to be fixed and I believe it will be. I’m saying Rackers is not the answer.
I also...
…believe the Easter Bunny is real. I don’t have any proof, but I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that I don’t have to since this is a blog.
This might be an interesting theory
But I stopped reading once I saw your Carr Apologist membership card.
If the Treasury Secretary doesn't have to pay taxes, then why do I?
pete and repeat
What I’m actually talking about is who the better kicker is, and this year that will be Kris Brown.
Just so you can read the rest without having to look past the card. We can discuss my membership some other time. BTW, isn’t spelling out “the name that shall not be spoken” grounds for ban?
yawn
I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?
I like the long ball.
For that reason< I am happy w/giving Brown the chance. If Rackers had a little more range, I would be okay w/the change. That 52 yarder he barely made decided me. Brown’s 43 yarder right down the middle, which would have been good from 60 yards, confirmed it. You never know when you are going to have to kick a hail mary. See Miami game where Brown hit 4 from 50 plus.
meaningful football games in '08...MAKE THAT 09, okay 10, definitely 10..i am an excellent driver
In a season though....
you rarely kick 50+ yard FGs. Aside from elite kickers (Janikowski, Josh Brown, and Bironas who went 17-21 from 50+ yarders), almost every other kicker averaged about 3,4 attempts and made 1 or 2 of those attempts. Is it really wise to decide the kicking battle on, perhaps, 3 or 4 rare FGs when the mass bulk of their work will come from under 49 yards?
"Lord, beer me strength."
Kris Brown, Why?
I know he was good for a number of seasons. But, (I know you were waiting for it) what has he done lately? This will hopefully not be the first of many blunders this season, like last season. Last year he missed to many easy kicks. Did any of ya’ll “enjoy” any of our wins? Did you change the channel at the end of the game, thinking" Damn, what a great win?"
It would be great to have a great season without worrying if our kicker will make a 35 yard field goal to win.
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