Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/24/redskins-reel-in-neil-rackers/]Redskins reel in Neil Rackers | ProFootballTalk[/url]

Boom

re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

I remember Rackers for setting a record by going 40 for 40 with the Cardinals back in the day, but he hasn't done anything much since then. I'm all for competition though, hopefully this will bring out the best in either him or Gano.

Thank God

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=mooby;911255]I remember Rackers for setting a record by going 40 for 40 with the Cardinals back in the day, but he hasn't done anything much since then. I'm all for competition though, hopefully this will bring out the best in either him or Gano.[/quote]

He's been pretty solid the past 4 seasons

[url=http://www.nfl.com/player/neilrackers/2504287/profile]Neil Rackers, K for the Houston Texans at NFL.com[/url]

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

You're right, looking at those stats he certainly seems solid to me. He didn't even go 40 for 40 back in the day either, it said he went 40 of 42. I guess the record I was thinking of was most field goals made in a season? Idk but either way, solid signing.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[YT]S44LGarzaYE[/YT]

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Honestly though I think we keep forgetting how bad the special teams' line play was last year, Gano had 5 blocks and most if not all of them were the result of the lines' inability to block, along with holder issues. I hope we get that shored up this offseason.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Only 15 touchbacks last year vs 32 for Gano... Per Keim on Twitter. Wonder if they could keep both guys?

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

If you can keep Banks as a return specialist, then maybe they cut Banks, keep both?

:Smoker:

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;911268]If you can keep Banks as a return specialist, then maybe they cut Banks, keep both?

:Smoker:[/quote]

I would prefer to keep Banks than to keep 2 kickers although I see the value in having both kickers. Gano is stronger (ideal for touchbacks) and younger (25)while Rackers is more accurate but he is 35.

Even though Banks was not as successful last year as he was the year before, he is still dangerous - especially as a punt returner for field position (and kick returner if he takes it out).

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=Mattyk;911267]Only 15 touchbacks last year vs 32 for Gano... Per Keim on Twitter. Wonder if they could keep both guys?[/quote]

Rackers had 15 touchbacks on 36 kickoffs while Gano had 32 touchbacks on 73 kickoffs so its not as big of a discrepancy as it seems.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Speaking of special teams and their play. Why does Danny Smith get a free pass?

BTW I like this signing none the less.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Tremendous signing, major upgrade in accuracy, no material dropoff in leg strength.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=imaskin4life;911274]Rackers had 15 touchbacks on 36 kickoffs while Gano had 32 touchbacks on 73 kickoffs so its not as big of a discrepancy as it seems.[/quote]

Beautiful post, devil is in the details.

Rackers achieved touchbacks on 43% of his kickoffs, Gano achieved it on 41%.

Bye bye, Graham.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Glad to see we signed a vet...I don't understand the need to groom a young kicker...I'd rather have one that's been around....and now with the kickoffs so short...that favors older more accurate kickers with shorter range...no need to keep an extra kicker just for kickoffs...that seems a major waste of a roster spot to me

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Rack'm up!!!!

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Makes it easier to kick FGs on Madden. Love the signing

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

But now we won't get any more fun OH NO GANO! rants...

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

This will be a very stiff challenge for Graham Gano. While he hasn't reached elite status yet, Gano actually has a great chance of winning the competition over Rackers in preseason.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

He's a top 10 NFL kicker. I will say this, if he's better than Gano it isn't by much. No I am not saying Gano is a top ten-fifteen NFL kicker, but one kick can be the difference between kickers 11-15. 2 or 3 kicks can be the difference between kickers 11-25. Gano is definitely getting better in my eyes. Rackers is declining in my opinion, thats what makes these two comparable and will make this kicking competition close and great to watch this preseason. I'm not going to lie though, I'm kind of pulling for Gano even though I had wanted him gone 2 years ago.

Can't hurt.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=artmonkforhallofamein07;911276]Speaking of special teams and their play. Why does Danny Smith get a free pass?

BTW I like this signing none the less.[/quote]

THIS!


F... Danny Smith.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Neil Rackers used to be great at kicking off. Now he's old. So I would bet the plan is to keep both kickers, and then use Gano on kickoffs.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Rackers = a season of pulled groins and hammys ala John Hall :benched:

Stick with the young stud who drills 59-yarders... stick with

:point: [SIZE="3"][B][COLOR="DarkRed"]GANO[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] :point:

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=CrazyCanuck;911305]Rackers = a season of pulled groins and hammys ala John Hall :benched:

[B]Stick with the young stud who drills 59-yarders... stick with[/B]

:point: [SIZE="3"][B][COLOR="DarkRed"][B]GANO[/B][/COLOR][/B][/SIZE] :point:[/quote]

Shhh! That kinda crazy talk gets you flogged in these parts!!

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Why would rackers leave Houston because they wouldn't offer him a multiyear contract but come here to "compete" with gano?

Doesn't make sense to me

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=imaskin4life;911274]Rackers had 15 touchbacks on 36 kickoffs while Gano had 32 touchbacks on 73 kickoffs so its not as big of a discrepancy as it seems.[/quote]
this

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Maybe Rackers can overcome the challenge of kicking a FG when there's a 6'8" defensive lineman coming at you untouched by your blockers.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

I must be one of the few who doesn't like this move. Gano is young and improving, has a stronger leg. Are they going to cut him? We'll see how long before people here call for Rackers neck.

[QUOTE=SFREDSKIN;911313]I must be one of the few who doesn't like this move. Gano is young and improving, has a stronger leg. Are they going to cut him? We'll see how long before people here call for Rackers neck.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this. I would much rather have Gano. Even if he is going to miss some that he should make. He gives us the chance to make some that he shouldn't.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

I'd hate to see us prematurely cut Gano. I could easily see him pulling a Suisham and going somewhere else and being near perfect. He has a lot of potential and is still young. I say keep him.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=REDSKINS4ever;911290]This will be a very stiff challenge for Graham Gano. [B]While he hasn't reached elite status yet[/B], Gano actually has a great chance of winning the competition over Rackers in preseason.[/quote]

what the hell are you talking about? Hes been one of the worst kickers percentage-wise in the league the last couple years.

Dont mince words, Gano is horrible

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

we're talking bout kickers ya'll.... Sign Hightower already!

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

This has less to do with our special teams success than Danny being retained. I have no idea how he is still employed here. I'm sure i'm missing something.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

Mr. Smith recently signed a multi-year extension, so he'll stay in Washington.

Players love him apparently

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=SmootSmack;911334]Mr. Smith recently signed a multi-year extension, so he'll stay in Washington.

Players love him apparently[/quote]

Can i safely assume we're paying him in bubble gum?

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

I think our Special Teams are great and Danny is a true motivator. Its never easy to have a bunch of guys that are on the bottom of the roster and playing spec teams for a reason to work with. Danny takes the fall for Gano's misses or some blocked FG's suffered- that's not a true measure of his coaching ability.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=Schneed10;911279]Beautiful post, devil is in the details.

Rackers achieved touchbacks on 43% of his kickoffs, Gano achieved it on 41%.

Bye bye, Graham.[/quote]

Not trying to be a jerk, but those numbers aren't correct.

Rackers: 15/36 = 41.7%
Gano: 32/73 = 42.8%

Personally, I like the Rackers signing a lot. 84% FGM for Rackers vs. 75% for Gano is the glaring one for me. I wouldn't mind keeping both and having Gano around for kickoffs, but I've never felt confident when Gano was lining up a field goal. I'm certainly glad there will some competition this year.

Also, it's not like Rackers doesn't still have a leg, he made a 54 yarder last year and a 57 yarder (his career high) the year before. I don't know that the negligible difference in touchback percentage is enough to keep Gano around, honestly.

Re: Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;911313]I must be one of the few who doesn't like this move. Gano is young and improving, has a stronger leg. Are they going to cut him? We'll see how long before people here call for Rackers neck.[/quote]

I see it as a camp competition to be won by the best player. If so, it's a good move. Gano can return but only if he brings his A game.

[QUOTE=jdlea;911343]Not trying to be a jerk, but those numbers aren't correct.

Rackers: 15/36 = 41.7%
Gano: 32/73 = 42.8%

Personally, I like the Rackers signing a lot. 84% FGM for Rackers vs. 75% for Gano is the glaring one for me. I wouldn't mind keeping both and having Gano around for kickoffs, but I've never felt confident when Gano was lining up a field goal. I'm certainly glad there will some competition this year.

Also, it's not like Rackers doesn't still have a leg, he made a 54 yarder last year and a 57 yarder (his career high) the year before. I don't know that the negligible difference in touchback percentage is enough to keep Gano around, honestly.[/QUOTE]

I would be curious to see the breakdown and percentages with each distance.