Hauschka Released

[horsey]

[quote name='hammer' date='20 November 2009 - 06:22 PM' timestamp='1258755747' post='287679']
None taken, but there is more to kicking off than the fan can see based on distance alone. Direction (Left or right corner) and hang time are important factors too when kicking off to the best returners in the league, which he was every other week. Look at the Denver game as a specific example. He kicked several into the endzone and had only one touchback. But on several other kicks, thanks to the long hang time combined with excellent coverage, Eddie Royal was stopped at or short of the 20 yd. I've watched many other games besides the Raves this season and there are few guys who kick into the EZ and routinely get touchbacks and the ones that do tend to kick it on a frozen rope that doesn't get very high and allows ample time for a returner to get a head f steam coming out of the EZ. The other risk these types of kicks run is that, like over-swinging on a golf shot, they run the risk of shanking it and hitting a really lousy kick. Rhys LLloyd of the Panthers is a good example. While he hits most of his kicks well and long, they are low and I've seen several knuckle ball shanks that barely get to the 20. Stovers kicks were stalling at the 12 and barely making it inside the 10 last year unless he really connected on a low liner. It's a short play that many people don't pay much attention to other than to note where the kick lands so [size="4"][b]I'm just trying to shed a little light and allow you and others to be a more complete fan of the game.[/b][/size] Check out the stats on NFL.com, I was surprised by the numbers and by where some supposedly good kickers were ranked.

Cheers
[/quote]

A more complete fan of the game? By analyzing stats on kickoff distance and angles?

Come on Dude, enjoying Christmas doesn't have to include wearing a Santa Suit does it? Too much of a good thing is just too much. LOL.
[/quote]


Maybe not more complete but better informed than what your "gut" tells you. I let the NFL analyze it, I just look at it. Besides, people are posting their opinions about his play and comparing him to other players based on their perceptions and I just thought it might be useful to people to be able to look at some stats to see how their opinions measure up.

The bottom line is that the kid was never going to be Stover and until Stover comes back and loses us a couple games people are going to be convinced that he is and always will be the answer.

[horsey]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='17 November 2009 - 05:41 PM' timestamp='1258494065' post='284845']
Based on the lack of clutch kicking Steve knew it was time and I'm sure he and Harbs talked about it - and Harbs told him to keep working out for his next gig. Steve's got to find his zen, so to speak.

That all said, this thread is starting to stink of Philly forums - let the guy leave in peace. It's not like he didn't put in the effort or was some kind of T.O. type. He just couldn't cut it in the clutch this time around. The celebration mentality... just amazing that people find glory is someone's misfortune - at least someone who didn't put any effort into hurting you.


[/quote]
+1
People acting like he was trying to destroy the team. I honestly think most people didn't want him to succeed just so they could say they knew it would happen. I have a feeling that anyone who kicks in Charm City not wearing #3 and named Matt Stover will suffer the same fate of not living up to expectations and will feel much heavier scrutiny after missing a kick than they should.

[PSU RAVEN]

[quote name='horsey' date='20 November 2009 - 06:55 PM' timestamp='1258761332' post='287732']
+1
People acting like he was trying to destroy the team. I honestly think most people didn't want him to succeed just so they could say they knew it would happen. [b]I have a feeling that anyone who kicks in Charm City not wearing #3 and named Matt Stover will suffer the same fate of not living up to expectations [/b]and will feel much heavier scrutiny after missing a kick than they should.
[/quote]

This has [b]nothing[/b] to do with wearing #3 or having Stover as your last name .

It is whether or not the Ravens kicker (no matter what his name is) successfully makes FGs that are expected to be made by kickers of NFL caliber.

Look if he misses 50yd + he gets a pass. But when you miss a 44 yd indoors and a 36 yarder [u]it is a problem.[/u]

I have not seen Stover this year but last year his limited range affected the Ravens play calling and gave away too much yardage on kick offs in the few games they asked him to do that role.

If Stover is having more success this year , good for him, but based on last year a change needed to be made, unfortunately the Ravens picked the wrong guy for the job.

[tctony]

[quote name='PSU RAVEN' date='20 November 2009 - 07:13 PM' timestamp='1258762386' post='287737']
This has [b]nothing[/b] to do with wearing #3 or having Stover as your last name .

It is whether or not the Ravens kicker (no matter what his name is) successfully makes FGs that are expected to be made by kickers of NFL caliber.

Look if he misses 50yd + he gets a pass. But when you miss a 44 yd indoors and a 36 yarder [u]it is a problem.[/u]

I have not seen Stover this year but last year his limited range affected the Ravens play calling and gave away too much yardage on kick offs in the few games they asked him to do that role.

If Stover is having more success this year , good for him, but based on last year a change needed to be made, unfortunately the Ravens picked the wrong guy for the job.
[/quote]

Exactly. I couldn't believe that people actually thought it was a bad decision to let Stover go, based on what happened last year. Hauschka obviously underperformed this year, but that was the chance we took.

As someone else said, good for Matt if he is kicking better this year, but [b]hindsight is 20/20.[/b]

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ravens1990' date='20 November 2009 - 10:40 PM' timestamp='1258774854' post='287774']
Exactly. I couldn't believe that people actually thought it was a bad decision to let Stover go, based on what happened last year. Hauschka obviously underperformed this year, but that was the chance we took.

As someone else said, good for Matt if he is kicking better this year, but [b]hindsight is 20/20.[/b]
[/quote]
Also, keep in mind, even though Stover has stayed in shape when he was on the free agent market, the fact that he was called up mid-season means his leg is probably fresher, seeing as how he wasn't participating in offseason workouts and hadn't had players grazing his leg on kick-blocking attempts. The assumption is, his personal program probably wasn't anywhere near as rigorous as offseason workouts would've been (as strange as it sounds for a kicker), and the rest probably did his leg good all these months.

[hammer]

[quote name='horsey' date='20 November 2009 - 07:48 PM' timestamp='1258760905' post='287728']
A more complete fan of the game? By analyzing stats on kickoff distance and angles?

Come on Dude, enjoying Christmas doesn't have to include wearing a Santa Suit does it? Too much of a good thing is just too much. LOL.
[/quote]


[[size="4"]b]Maybe not more complete but better informed than what your "gut" tells you. [/b][/size]I let the NFL analyze it, I just look at it. Besides, people are posting their opinions about his play and comparing him to other players based on their perceptions and I just thought it might be useful to people to be able to look at some stats to see how their opinions measure up.

The bottom line is that the kid was never going to be Stover and until Stover comes back and loses us a couple games people are going to be convinced that he is and always will be the answer.
[/quote]

Now dude, we are really not going to agree on this, but I can respect and understand your point about the stats. But in this particular case, I think the point about kickoff angles, windspeed and gradient is not a reason for me to watch a football game. It might make you more of a complete statitician, but definitely not a more complete fan of the game.

For me, a fan is geared into the sound of helmets cracking, not the sound of leather being kicked.

Just want you to know that I do understand your point, even if you don't understand mine.

[Osiris]

I think the decision of letting Stover go was a bad one, and the decision of getting rid of Hauschka was even worse.

The guy missed 4 FGs, this happens for rookie kickers! Take a look at Stover's stats:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/1078/career;_ylt=Ak3bRn_K..zXEKrdlEDBMen.uLYF

He missed one from within 29 in his rookie season, he also missed half of his 40-49 FGs in that same season. In his second season, he was 2-6 from that range. In his first year in B-more, he was 5-10 from 40-49.

Harbs needs to know that kickers are not machines! Now what? What will he do? Is this new kicker the permanent solution? I guess not! Who should the Ravens get? Gano? This guy was not consistent in practice.. Waste another draft pick on a rookie kicker who will struggle in his first seasons just like ANY other human kicker?

Mistake after mistake after mistake.. he let Cmac go, Stover.. they were both picked by the 2 best NFL teams.

[PSU RAVEN]

[quote name='Osiris' date='21 November 2009 - 02:30 AM' timestamp='1258788654' post='287802']
I think the decision of letting Stover go was a bad one, and the decision of getting rid of Hauschka was even worse.

The guy missed 4 FGs, this happens for rookie kickers! Take a look at Stover's stats:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/1078/career;_ylt=Ak3bRn_K..zXEKrdlEDBMen.uLYF

He missed one from within 29 in his rookie season, he also missed half of his 40-49 FGs in that same season. In his second season, he was 2-6 from that range. In his first year in B-more, he was 5-10 from 40-49.

Harbs needs to know that kickers are not machines! Now what? What will he do? Is this new kicker the permanent solution? I guess not! Who should the Ravens get? Gano? This guy was not consistent in practice.. Waste another draft pick on a rookie kicker who will struggle in his first seasons just like ANY other human kicker?

Mistake after mistake after mistake.. he let Cmac go, Stover.. they were both picked by the 2 best NFL teams.
[/quote]

Good point on Stover's early struggles. I guess it comes down to what were the expectations this year?

If it was rebuilding, then give the kicker time to work it out.

If it is playoffs (Playoffs?) then after those misses he had to go, in fact we should have signed a veteran kicker to begin with.

[horsey]

For me, a fan is geared into the sound of helmets cracking, not the sound of leather being kicked.

Just want you to know that I do understand your point, even if you don't understand mine.
[/quote]

I don't want you to think I sit and watch games with a calculator and graph paper in front of me. I love big hit/long pass/hard run as much as the next fan and I understand your point. I had just happened to come across some information pertaining to a discussion on this board and thought I would pass it along because a lot of statements made by people during this particular discussion seemed not to have much if any basis to them.

[horsey]

[quote name='PSU RAVEN' date='21 November 2009 - 08:25 AM' timestamp='1258806322' post='287816']
Good point on Stover's early struggles. I guess it comes down to what were the expectations this year?

If it was rebuilding, then give the kicker time to work it out.

If it is playoffs (Playoffs?) then after those misses he had to go, in fact we should have signed a veteran kicker to begin with.
[/quote]

+1

I retrospect, maybe the best solution was to Keep Stover another year and have Steve more involved in the kicking game and give him a few of the low pressure game kicks and kickoffs and not just the longer fg's. If the expectation that he was going to step in and make every kick as a replacement for a beloved 19yr vet and fan favorite then that would be a little unreasonable.

[horsey]

[quote name='Ravens1990' date='20 November 2009 - 11:40 PM' timestamp='1258774854' post='287774']
Exactly. I couldn't believe that people actually thought it was a bad decision to let Stover go, based on what happened last year. Hauschka obviously underperformed this year, but that was the chance we took.

As someone else said, good for Matt if he is kicking better this year, but [b]hindsight is 20/20.[/b]
[/quote]

If that is the case then I would say that you are in the minority as most comments I read, with a few exceptions, think that with Stover here all our problems would be solved. I think you're correct that the FO needed to look elsewhere but many people seem to have the blinders on when discussing where the weaknesses are on this team.

[FlaccoFlicker]

Former Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka is one of the kickers brought in for a tryout by the Falcons. Elam is struggling there.
jamison hensley is reporting who is a baltimore sun reporter

[darklight1216]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='24 November 2009 - 03:38 PM' timestamp='1259095092' post='292611']
Former Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka is one of the kickers brought in for a tryout by the Falcons. Elam is struggling there.
jamison hensley is reporting who is a baltimore sun reporter
[/quote]
Aww good for Steve. I hope it works out for him there, but on the other hand I also like to see the Falcons fail so it's going to be good either way as far as I'm concerned.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='24 November 2009 - 03:38 PM' timestamp='1259095092' post='292611']
Former Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka is one of the kickers brought in for a tryout by the Falcons. Elam is struggling there.
jamison hensley is reporting who is a baltimore sun reporter
[/quote]
I've heard people (announcers, sports writers etc.) make fun of all the re-tread head coaches that are out there. But now that I think about it kickers are by far the most common. Hauschka failed miserable here and yet he might get picked right back up by someone else. Heck, I don't remember where but we picked Hauschka up after he was released by his first team. Billy Cundiff has failed to hold down a job for his career and yet here he is with us. Is the world really so void of kickers?

[Bltravens]

It was the Vikings we picked him off of...and to your point about the world being short good kickers, i wish i would known this when i was 16 lol.

[McBoller]

[quote name='Osiris' date='21 November 2009 - 02:30 AM' timestamp='1258788654' post='287802']
I think the decision of letting Stover go was a bad one, and the decision of getting rid of Hauschka was even worse.

The guy missed 4 FGs, this happens for rookie kickers! Take a look at Stover's stats:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/1078/career;_ylt=Ak3bRn_K..zXEKrdlEDBMen.uLYF

He missed one from within 29 in his rookie season, he also missed half of his 40-49 FGs in that same season. In his second season, he was 2-6 from that range. In his first year in B-more, he was 5-10 from 40-49.

Harbs needs to know that kickers are not machines! Now what? What will he do? Is this new kicker the permanent solution? I guess not! Who should the Ravens get? Gano? This guy was not consistent in practice.. Waste another draft pick on a rookie kicker who will struggle in his first seasons just like ANY other human kicker?

Mistake after mistake after mistake.. he let Cmac go, Stover.. they were both picked by the 2 best NFL teams.
[/quote]
I get what you're saying and in some cases I would agree about Haushcka being cut too soon. But you have to understand the nature of his problem. it wasnt physical and it wasnt mechanical. its not soemthing you could coach or correct easily. It was in his head and no one could fix that but hauschka himself, and he had several chances, but continued to prove that this was gonna be an ongoing thing. I think he was cut at the perfect time. He was allowed several chances at redemption and couldnt get it together. Luckily the straw that broke the camel's back wasnt a loss bc of him.

[PuRock]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='24 November 2009 - 03:38 PM' timestamp='1259095092' post='292611']
Former Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka is one of the kickers brought in for a tryout by the Falcons. Elam is struggling there.
jamison hensley is reporting who is a baltimore sun reporter
[/quote]


[quote name='darklight1216' date='24 November 2009 - 04:16 PM' timestamp='1259097389' post='292667']
Aww good for Steve. I hope it works out for him there, but on the other hand I also like to see the Falcons fail so it's going to be good either way as far as I'm concerned.
[/quote]


I have no doubt in my mind that Steve will Wow! them in tryouts and practices. But when put on the field with the fans screaming. Donk! Hooked left.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='PuRock' date='24 November 2009 - 05:48 PM' timestamp='1259102937' post='292771']
I have no doubt in my mind that Steve will Wow! them in tryouts and practices. But when put on the field with the fans screaming. Donk! Hooked left.
[/quote]
Maybe a fresh start is what he needs.

In any event, he should be just fine as long as they're ahead and/or at home.

[mdrsharon]

Poor kicking has cost us a lot this year.
Let's hope we do not have to depend on it for the rest of the season and actually get some TD's.

[SickBoy]

Good snap, Good hold, Matt Stover misses 30 yard feild goal. Indy might give Hauschka a call after that kick,lol. No kicker in the world is automatic, I hate that Hauschka has become the scapegoat. I wish we were not the type of TEAM who point fingers or leaves a member out to dry, the whole team has to play better.

[hammer]

[quote name='SickBoy' date='29 November 2009 - 04:25 PM' timestamp='1259526302' post='295629']
Good snap, Good hold, Matt Stover misses 30 yard feild goal. Indy might give Hauschka a call after that kick,lol. No kicker in the world is automatic, I hate that Hauschka has become the scapegoat. I wish we were not the type of TEAM who point fingers or leaves a member out to dry, the whole team has to play better.
[/quote]

I am assuming that you did not criticize Mark Clayton after [b]"the infamous drop?"[/b]

[Bltravens]

[quote name='SickBoy' date='29 November 2009 - 02:25 PM' timestamp='1259526302' post='295629']
Good snap, Good hold, Matt Stover misses 30 yard feild goal. Indy might give Hauschka a call after that kick,lol. No kicker in the world is automatic, I hate that Hauschka has become the scapegoat. I wish we were not the type of TEAM who point fingers or leaves a member out to dry, the whole team has to play better.
[/quote]
Stover has the pedigree for misses, not only that its his first miss all year. Hauschka was what 0-3 in FGs that we neeeeeded to make? As someone else pointed out Hauschka's problem wasn't mechanical he just wasnt mentally tough in those situations and thats something a coach cant fix or wait on for you to fix yourself.