Redskins sign kicker Neil Rackers

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

If Rackers is so good then why is Houston letting him go? Maybe a very small upgrade but I certainly don't see a major one.

Houston has let a lot of key guys walk this offseason.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

If Rackers is so good then why is Houston letting him go? Maybe a very small upgrade but I certainly don't see a major one.

Cap space dood. Just because a team lets a player go doesn't mean the player is garbage. Houston let Mario Williams go. I guess he's garbage too?!

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

Cap space dood. Just because a team lets a player go doesn't mean the player is garbage. Houston let Mario Williams go. I guess he's garbage too?!

I never said he was garbage. I just don't think Rackers is a major upgrade over Gano. As others have said, some of the blocking was terrible on fg/pat's. However I don't think Gano is good enough where he shouldn't have competition either. I still think with Gano being a bit younger that he's still our kicker come Sept.

[Schneed10]

I wouldn't assume all 5 blocked are makes and I wouldn't assumed all 5 should be removed from the equation altogether. I would assume that 3 out of the 5 were made based on his historical % accuracy on FGs, considering the distance at which they were blocked. Most of the blocks occurred on longer (40+) attempts. 3 out of 5 on those feels right.

But even that's not entirely fair unless Rackers went all year without one blocked. But whatever...

So I get:
34 Makes, 41 Attempts: 83%

Solid. But even giving him 3 out of 5 might be generous. In the Red Bryant Seahawks game, those two blocks were on Will Montgomery. But throughout the rest of the year you heard Shanahan rail on Gano in postgames for needing to get the ball airborne faster.

Ultimately I'd treat Gano as a kicker with a strong and adequate leg, but he's not somebody I'd put back there with the confidence that he can win a playoff game for me in the 4th quarter with 45 yarder with time running out.

He's done enough to earn the right to compete for a job, but he shouldn't be guaranteed a job without competition.

[los panda]

how many kick did we have blocked last year? i feel like it may be some sort of modern record

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by los panda

how many kick did we have blocked last year? i feel like it may be some sort of modern record

5 FGs, 1 XP

[los panda]

Originally Posted by jdlea

5 FGs, 1 XP

no excuse for that

[freddyg12]

Hope Gano & the entire unit get it together. Some of those blocks were on Gano a little, others like the seattle game, are inexcusable from the line. Gano can be great, let's stick w/him

[Monkeydad]

Very enjoyable read:

Why Is Shaun Suisham Still In Pittsburgh? | Total Steelers

[MTK]

We can manipulate his numbers all we want, fact is we wouldn't have signed Rackers if there wasn't an issue. He needs to step up his game, period.

[SkinsGuru]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

We can manipulate his numbers all we want, fact is we wouldn't have signed Rackers if there wasn't an issue. He needs to step up his game, period.

true . . . last year when they brought in Graham, that was the same thing . . . Graham caused Gano to up his game a bit, but Graham was much worse than what anyone expected and therefore didn't really push Gano much . . . Rackers should for sure . . .

[Paintrain]

It's been frustrating to watch us parade schmo after schmo out there at kicker rather than address the position with a proven player. It would be nice if Gano were to overcome his issues since he's a younger guy who has a strong leg but Rackers fits the profile of a playoff kicker that can win games rather than someone just filling a roster spot.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

It's been frustrating to watch us parade schmo after schmo out there at kicker rather than address the position with a proven player. It would be nice if Gano were to overcome his issues since he's a younger guy who has a strong leg but Rackers fits the profile of a playoff kicker that can win games rather than someone just filling a roster spot.

This and what Matty said.

Titty is probably the best kicker we've had in a long, long time.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

This and what Matty said.

Titty is probably the best kicker we've had in a long, long time.

LOL I was like "What?!"

[htownskinfan]

I was screaming for Gano's head last yr.Now I have mixed feelings about it since they stuck with him.Part of me wants him here since he's young and maybe he's worked thru his prioblems,the other part of me is glad we have a veteran whos been pretty damn consistant.If we would have cut Gano last yr when he was stinking I would be very happy with the Rackers signing
Preseason wont mean shit,Gano beat out Graham last yr,needs to do a better job in reg season