The wind was blowing at 8 mph to his back. The fieldgoal attempt was 54 yards. There was no wind pushing the ball from side-to-side. The path was pretty straight to the posts. Doesn't seem like too hard of a kick for a Pro Bowler.
Two years ago he missed a 39 yard fieldgoal to lose to the Jets in overtime in the playoffs.
Is he ever going to be a clutch kicker or some one who is good during the season and chokes in the playoffs? Should the Chargers trade him?
It was a really good game though. There's always next year.
2007-01-17 19:30:08 · 5 answers · asked by Jason 3 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
There are at least a half dozen kickers in the league who are better at 40-49 yards and 50+ yards than him. I'm not saying he's bad. I'm just saying he's not clutch. He did play a major role in getting the Chargers to the playoffs though. I think if we run into the same situation next year we'll have to let Rivers go for it.
2007-01-18 21:47:08 · update #1
If you get rid of Kaeding who are you going to get? Mike Vanderjagt? Kaeding may have missed a couple of clutch field goals but the one 2 years ago was rough. A rookie kicker in a clutch spot and he shanked it. Yet it didnt rattle his confidence. He is still a top 10 kicker as far as i can tell.
Against the patriots he missed a 54 yard FG. 54 YARDS is a long way.
2007-01-17 22:59:21 · answer #1 · answered by Bloodsucker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You think YOU could make a freaking 54YARD FG in THOSE conditions? I was a kicker in school and the LONGEST I EVER HIT EVEN IN PRACTICE was a wind-aided 55 yarder that almost swirled wide right and missed. Just because the wind is at ones back doesn't mean it can't swirl crazily off path. Once it leaves the kicker's toe, he has no control over the things that may/may not affect the flight of the ball. If he hits it with good aim, the rest should depend on the snap and hold, but unfortunately wind, rain, cold and etc. have an effect that cannot be compensated for. If Kaeding is let go, it'll be a ridiculous cut, for he is a solid kicker!
2007-01-18 02:21:34 · answer #2 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is NO, he missed a 54 yard field goal. However, you DO let Marty Go!! He's proven he can't coach once the post season arrives. Also he had that dumb challenge that cost them a 2nd half timeout and that could've put the field goal even closer, so the answer again is keep Kaeding, fire Marty!!
2007-01-17 23:43:21 · answer #3 · answered by gerrykrauss1978 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know I think excalibur got a point, I mean that was a tough kick considering the implications. Nate was just probably overthinking. It was a tough loss 4 the Bolts. I have never seen LT that ruffled b4, dude was just plain mad at the world. I know San Diego really wants 2 make past the AFC Championships next yr at least and they woudn't want any if's, so they should probably draft from a pretty deep kicking class this yr, that kid from Oklahoma ain't bad
2007-01-17 23:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by Zhughu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everybody gives kickers a bad rap. Would you let your QB go if he missed a hail mary pass to win the game?
2007-01-17 23:09:56 · answer #5 · answered by harvickfan#29 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋