All articles tagged with #kickers
The NFL issued a rule requiring identical video-board displays for field-goal attempts on both teams, effectively ending the Patriots’ optical-illusion tactic and preventing any stadium from using different feeds to confuse kickers.
The New York Jets hosted workouts for three kickers — including Justin Tucker — as they search for a reliable replacement after letting Nick Folk walk; Michael Badgley and Josh Karty also attended. Tucker previously faced a 10-game suspension and later reinstatement but has not signed. The Jets’ current kicker situation includes Jason Sanders on the practice squad after beating Cade York for the job, with Blake Grupe claimed off waivers earlier in the week.
An analytics expert says the Patriots use a reverse-view video-board optical illusion with four yellow lines and wind-flag motion opposite the live goalposts to confuse kickers on field goals; observed across Patriots home games for years (52 FG attempts) with the on-screen image not matching the kicker’s view, and attempts to copy it elsewhere have had limited success, highlighting the team's meticulous edge-seeking approach.
As the Jets finalize their 53-man roster, they could target veteran interior linemen Andre James and Trevor Keegan and kicker Ben Sauls after mixed preseason results, aiming to shore up backup OL depth and the kicking game; James provides experience, Keegan flashed upside, and Sauls could offer a longer-term solution despite hip-injury concerns.
The Washington Commanders will release veteran kicker Jake Moody and install undrafted rookie Drew Stevens as the starting kicker after a prolonged competition in camp and preseason. Stevens has shown a powerful leg and strong practice numbers (43 of 48 in practice; a 41-yard make in the preseason) compared with Moody’s 36 of 47 in camp and a preseason miss, continuing Washington’s revolving door at the position.
The Washington Commanders are reportedly releasing kicker Jake Moody, leaving undrafted rookie Drew Stevens as the club’s lone kicker for the 2026 season. Moody, who joined the Commanders from the Bears’ practice squad in 2025 after a stint with the 49ers, went 10-for-11 on field goals and 10-for-11 on extra points across six appearances for Washington.
Entering Week 3 of Ravens training camp, early standouts include rookie guard Vega Ioane impressing along the line and kicker Tyler Loop delivering a strong week of practice, as Baltimore weighs emerging contributors against other contenders ahead of the preseason.
The Giants' Friday OTA emphasized red-zone work with limited contact, featuring depth-chart moves (Thomas limited to install; Mbow at left tackle; Thibodeaux with the 2nd team; Newsome first-team CB; Colton Hood second-team; Schernecke second-team RT; Ezeudu sidelined). Jaxson Dart connected with receivers during team periods, including Theo Johnson with multiple red-zone TDs. The kicking duel between Ben Sauls and Jason Sanders remained unsettled (both 3 of 5), with wind affecting longer attempts. Arvell Reese flashed athletically but allowed a 19-yard TD to Johnson; Malachi Fields had a 7-yard TD. Overall, the session highlighted red-zone emphasis and depth competition.
Green Bay released veteran kicker Brandon McManus after paying a $1 million roster bonus, clearing the way for rookie Trey Smack to win the Packers’ kicking job in 2026 with Lucas Havrisik also in the mix. The move yields about $945,000 in cap savings this year but leaves roughly $4.33 million in dead cap, contributing to Green Bay’s $47.6 million in dead cap overall. Smack, drafted in the sixth round after the Packers traded up, will compete with Havrisik in OTAs and training camp, while coach Matt LaFleur stressed ongoing competition; Smack emphasized focusing on himself and the impact of cold/wind at Lambeau on kicking.
Jason Myers went a perfect five-for-five in Seattle’s Super Bowl win, setting a Super Bowl record and helping push the 2025 season to the highest single-season scoring mark in NFL history. The piece traces Myers’ unlikely path from a tiny-college kicker to Pro Bowls and uses his story to highlight the baffling volatility and unusually opaque nature of NFL kickers, who often arrive from independent coaching scenes and remain highly fungible for teams.
The article provides strategic recommendations for Week 14 fantasy football defenses and kickers, emphasizing the importance of waiver wire claims, highlighting top streaming defenses like Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, and suggesting key kickers such as Evan McPherson and Riley Patterson, to maximize playoff success amid challenging matchups and bye weeks.
The article discusses top streaming defenses and kickers for Week 11 of fantasy football, highlighting recent top performers like the Jets D/ST, analyzing matchups, ownership levels, and scheduling tips for maximizing points, with a focus on exploiting matchups and identifying undervalued options.
The article provides recommendations for streaming defenses and kickers for Week 9 of fantasy football, emphasizing lesser-owned options like the Rams, Lions, Jaguars, Ravens, and Bears, while also highlighting key kicker choices such as Chris Boswell and Tyler Loop, amidst a challenging schedule with multiple teams on bye.
The article provides expert recommendations for streaming defenses and kickers in Week 8 of fantasy football, emphasizing the importance of targeting lesser-owned defenses like the Colts, Bills, Falcons, Chargers, and Bears due to bye weeks and matchups, and highlighting key kickers such as Evan McPherson and Will Reichard for optimal points. It stresses the importance of strategic waiver wire moves and injury considerations to maximize fantasy points during a challenging week with multiple teams on bye.
The article recommends targeting defenses against the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, highlighting teams like the Patriots, Seahawks, and Chiefs, and discusses top kicker options such as Chris Boswell and Eddy Pineiro, emphasizing strategic plays for fantasy football managers.