Redskins Sign K Billy Cundiff, Release Gano

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

Both kickers and kick returners baffle me. At no position do players seem to go from zero to hero and back quicker than those two spots.

Not even QB?

[REDSKINS4ever]

The release of Graham Gano was a very surprising move to me. But I understand Bruce Allen's logic. Billy Cundiff was available. He's been to playoffs and has a lot of experience. Gano in retrospect to Cudiff, only has potential. So for Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen it was a no brainer. I'm still surprised by the move to cut Gano though.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

FG% numbers are not enough to judge a kicker. The mix of kicking distances plays a role in driving the kicker's overall percentage. Let's analyze Gano vs Cundiff from various distances over the last two seasons combined:

0-19 Yards, both 100% (one attempt each)
20-29 Yards, Cundiff 100% on 20 attempts, Gano 88% on 25 attempts
30-39 Yards, Cudiff 86% on 21 attempts, Gano 56% on 16 attempts
40-49 Yards, Cundiff 82% on 17 attempts, Gano 76% on 25 attempts
50+ Yards, Cundiff 14% on 7 attempts, Gano 44% on 9 attempts

Look at the atrocious performance from Gano from 30-39 yards. Those are FGs you have to make, especially if you're still developing as a Red Zone offense. If you're kicking from 30-39 it means the ball sits at the 13 - 23 yard line. It means your red zone offense stalled, and you desperately need to put those points on the board to atone for the lost TD opportunity in the red zone.

With Cundiff, you know you can't count on a 50 yarder to win the game, but at least you can plan for that. You know your 2 minute offense needs to target the 25 yard line to put the game away safely. With Gano, it almost doesn't matter whether you're trying a 55 yarder or a 35 yarder, he's shaky from both distances. You can't count on him to make it, every time he comes out it's a dice roll.

Stronger leg does not equal better kicker. Give me Cundiff.

Schneed's ability to run the numbers is making a believer out of me on this move....good job!

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

Cundiff did choke on a short FG attempt in the AFC Championship game but that doesn't make him a choke artist for life, except in Baltimore.

It was almost certainly Cundiff's missed FG in the AFC Championship game alone that made him unwelcome in Baltimore and available to the Redskins. I think that miss turned out to be a good thing for the Skins.

I recall another guy that choked in the playoffs that ended up with the Skins...his name Byner, that worked out pretty well for us.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

The release of Graham Gano was a very surprising move to me. But I understand Bruce Allen's logic. Billy Cundiff was available. He's been to playoffs and has a lot of experience. Gano in retrospect to Cudiff, only has potential. So for Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen it was a no brainer. I'm still surprised by the move to cut Gano though.

He's also blown it in the playoffs. Being a DC native and a Skins fan, it was pretty sweet to watch him screw the Ravens right out of a potential Super Bowl appearance.

[CapitalDefense]

So how many years before Gano is in the pro bowl for a NFC team?

[CapitalDefense]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

2 things..

1. Cundiff is pretty much automatic from inside 50 yards, which Gano was not. Cundiff is an automatic touchback, Gano could boom them as well but also had the propensity to kick it out of bounds in a poor attempt at a directional kick. Cundiff was considered a top 10 kicker, Gano was bottom third. It's an upgrade.

2. The fact that we are bemoaning a kicker move and the fate of Graham Gano speaks volumes to how stable and sane this offseason has been. It's nice to go into a season with little to no drama for once.

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Opponent Kickoff Touchback Percentage on TeamRankings.com

Not automatic as the poster suggest, actually about 43%of the time on touchbacks, but better then Gano.

[CapitalDefense]

Anybody remember Nick Novak? In San Diego hitting 79.4 % last season?

Ole Cundiff might not be our first week starter either..

Spin: Novak is kicking well, but unfortunately for him, Nate Kaeding is healthy and is also kicking well. It seems unlikely that the Bolts will elect to keep both kickers on the roster when the season begins, so Novak might be auditioning for another team at this point.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by CapitalDefense

Anybody remember Nick Novak? In San Diego hitting 79.4 % last season?

Ole Cundiff might not be our first week starter either..

Spin: Novak is kicking well, but unfortunately for him, Nate Kaeding is healthy and is also kicking well. It seems unlikely that the Bolts will elect to keep both kickers on the roster when the season begins, so Novak might be auditioning for another team at this point.

That would be hilarious.

[CrazyCanuck]

Originally Posted by CapitalDefense

So how many years before Gano is in the pro bowl for a NFC team?

The over/under is 2.5 years. I've got the under.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

I'll take the over all day. Gano isn't going to go somewhere and be lights out.

[CapitalDefense]

Originally Posted by artmonkforhallofamein07

I'll take the over all day. Gano isn't going to go somewhere and be lights out.

Mr. Akers....Kid had one of the strongest legs in the league, if he could harness the power and become accurate look out...., just sayin

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

CapitalD has Kirk over taken Rex?

[Coff]

In an attempt to spare the denizens of reactionaries some time, I'll write the following for whenever Cundiff misses his first FG with the Skins:
CUT CUNDIFF!!!

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

Not even QB?

I just feel like when a QB is good they stay good for a while. Rarely do you have one year wonders at QB and if they end up being one year wonders its usually due to injuries. Kick returners and Kickers seem to have more and more one or two year wonders.

Cundiff for example was a pro bowler in 2010 at a position that picks only two players out of 32 or more. Just last week he was released. Neil Rackers, couple of years ago it would have taken a 2nd round pick to convince the Cardinals to give him up, now he's hoping that someone will call him. Nick Folk, pro bowler for Dallas in 2007. In 2009 they "lost faith in Folk and waived him on December 21, 2009."

Kick returners to. Back in 2010 Brandon Banks was the next big thing. This year we're wondering if he'll make the roster. Dante Hall was the "X" factor for 2 years before he started to slowly become less and less of a game changer. Even Devin Hester who could probably still return kicks is getting relegated it seems to just playing receiver. He was replaced by kick return specialist Eric Weems who the Falcons liked but didn't fight tooth and nail to hold onto.

Also does anyone remember Chad Morton? Talk about a Redskin no one remembers.

I don't know it just seems to me that a lot of these specialist have very short life spans. Punters being the exception to the rule. If you find a good punter you are set for the next 10,000 years.