Billy Cundiff And Competition

[GrimCoconut]

I know we have Billy Cundiff and he is here as our starting kicker this year and this isn't a topic about cutting Cundiff for another kicker. Rather, this is a topic designed to discuss Billy Cundiff's chances of making the 53 as well as his competition to make the 53.

Harbaugh says everyone competes every year. We brought in this kid Justin Tucker, but how about we bring in Ryan Longwell who was just cut from the Vikings? I'm not saying to use him to [b]replace[/b] Cundiff, but competition couldn't hurt. Personally, I'd like to see us bring him here depending on the deal and how well he performs. He has been a very good kicker over the years. The biggest knock on him is that he primarily kicked inside, but I feel like he would be a nice camp body at the very least.

[Grapple Raven]

According to Aaron Wilson's Twitter, Shayne Graham signed with the Texans today.

I hope we hold on to this Justin Tucker kid, cause he will be snatched pdq I imagine. I must say that I was impressed with that field goal in the Longhorn/A&M game...to make that 40 yarder to win the game after he was iced was clutch! He has decent stats too.

Good article on Tucker by A. Wilson yesterday...

[url="http://www.ravens24x7.com/columns/The-Beat-with-Aaron-Wilson/Rookie-kicker-Tucker-looks-forward-to-duel-with-Cundiff"]http://www.ravens24x7.com/columns/The-Beat-with-Aaron-Wilson/Rookie-kicker-Tucker-looks-forward-to-duel-with-Cundiff[/url]

I'll say I like this kid's attitude!

[Purple Punishment]

Cundiff better get it together. This kid isn't playing around

[ravens__]

There's no way in the world we are bringing in Longwell; dude can't hit touchbacks or kick outdoors.

I am interested to see what Tucker can do, though.

[berad]

Even though Cundiff stunk it up last year, it's still his job to lose. He's the Pro Bowler with records to his name and he's got the money. Cundiff will really have to screw up this offseason for it to be a true competition.

[52Strong]

My understanding, based on what De Coasta said, Tucker is only an extra leg for camp.

“Ideally we’ll bring a kicker who can also punt intraining camp to save Billy and Sam [Koch’s] legs.” -Decosta

[CapoRocky]

Tucker has the ability to play both positions, which almost ensures that he will be put on the practice squad, if he can't straight up beat out Cundiff in camp. Good luck to Graham.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1336521280' post='1074314']
Even though Cundiff stunk it up last year, it's still his job to lose. He's the Pro Bowler with records to his name and he's got the money. Cundiff will really have to screw up this offseason for it to be a true competition.
[/quote]

Maybe some blame it on the injury, but it is hard to regain your confidence once you consistently fail. Especially when it was a major failure like the AFCCG. It will forever be in his mind every time he lines up with the game on the line. I'm sure announcers will say that a kicker "cundiffed" the ball when they miss.

[berad]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1336572868' post='1074925']
Maybe some blame it on the injury, but it is hard to regain your confidence once you consistently fail. Especially when it was a major failure like the AFCCG. It will forever be in his mind every time he lines up with the game on the line. I'm sure announcers will say that a kicker "cundiffed" the ball when they miss.
[/quote]

Yup. I don't have a whole lot of confidence in him, either, but the fall from one of the best kickers in the league to one of the worst was so dramatic. He has to have something... right?

[TheMadRaven]

I personally hope Tucker somehow wins the starting position. I can't even look when Cundiff lines up on Madden let alone real life. I miss Matt Stover man lol.

[BmoreLuv]

[quote name='TheMadRaven' timestamp='1336581101' post='1075028']
I personally hope Tucker somehow wins the starting position. I can't even look when Cundiff lines up on Madden let alone real life. I miss Matt Stover man lol.
[/quote]

lmao @ Cundiff lining up in Madden....

I think Cundiff will be released after he misses his first 3 kicks especially if it comes before game 4 or 5...
Tucker will be our kicker in the making if he has enough leg...which I'm guessing he does. Plus its Super cool how
he's pumped to be a Raven

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1336521280' post='1074314']
Even though Cundiff stunk it up last year, it's still his job to lose. He's the Pro Bowler with records to his name and he's got the money. Cundiff will really have to screw up this offseason for it to be a true competition.
[/quote]
I agree with you. The injury last year also set Cundiff back and lowered his confidence. I still think he is our kicker. We have seen Cundiff win games for us before. Our whole special teams as a whole last year really was bad. Billy over the summer will probably build up his confidence like the year before he went to the pro bowl. I like Cundiff.

[TheMadRaven]

[quote name='TheMadRaven' timestamp='1336581101' post='1075028']
I personally hope Tucker somehow wins the starting position. I can't even look when Cundiff lines up on Madden let alone real life. I miss Matt Stover man lol.
[/quote]

Man negative for this? I thought it was funny :-)

[bMore Heathen]

The thing I don't understand with Cundiff is 2 years ago he had 40-something touchbacks. Last year the league moves the kick offs up 5 yards and he couldn't get it to the endzone. It's not like he was kicking it higher to get more hang time.
I don't get it!!

[akacrow]

Yes, and lots of it.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='bMore Heathen' timestamp='1336679207' post='1075819']
The thing I don't understand with Cundiff is 2 years ago he had 40-something touchbacks. Last year the league moves the kick offs up 5 yards and he couldn't get it to the endzone. It's not like he was kicking it higher to get more hang time.
I don't get it!!
[/quote]
I just don't get it either. It really makes me wonder how a kicker loses so much from one season to the next.

[JO_75]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1336686468' post='1075909']
I just don't get it either. It really makes me wonder how a kicker loses so much from one season to the next.
[/quote]

Maybe he lost some strength in his legs? That's the only reason I can think of. If I'm a Kicker, I would be constantly doing a bunch of leg exercises to strengthen my Kicking leg in order to be able to kick the ball long distances and make those 50+ field goals if needed.

[BuckinRavenstown]

[indent=1]One thing is almost positive about this young man. With his degree in recording technology, he will be busier than a buck deer in November when he's not out on the field. I can only imagine every single player in that locker room fancies themselves as rappers or rockstars and will want their own cd stamped out[/indent]

[Ozzman123987]

Cundiff has the leg to kick it 60 yards. But he does not have the accuracy to kick it 45. In football you dont need a kicker with a boot, first you need someone who is consistent. Sure two years ago great kickoff guy, but now since the rules changed everyone is. Time for Cundiff to get his act together. He is on a short leash now.

[admartian]

Yep, I think regardless of money, after the inconsistent performances las tseason; he needs to be challenged for real AT THE LEAST.

We should give the new kid a chance.

[Tyler]

I actually read somewhere that Tucker will compete with Cundiff for the starting job. I'm not sure which Ravens beat writer it was tho. Personally, I love young kickers, and to be honest, I still haven't swallowed the huge pill of him missing that kick in the championship game. Actually, I "choked on that pill" (pun intended) trying to get it down.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='52Strong' timestamp='1336572403' post='1074920']
My understanding, based on what De Coasta said, Tucker is only an extra leg for camp.

“Ideally we’ll bring a kicker who can also punt intraining camp to save Billy and Sam [Koch’s] legs.” -Decosta
[/quote]That's all Tucker is... a camp leg. He kicks and punts which is what we were looking for to save our starters.

[Ravenstown52]

[url="http://www.texassports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tucker_justin00.html"]http://www.texassports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tucker_justin00.html[/url]

Pretty good read.

[GrimCoconut]

As much as I like Billy Cundiff, I think he [b]should[/b] compete for his spot, regardless of his contract situation. I know Billy is the man with the money, but that doesn't make him automatically better than someone such as Tucker or even another guy out there. There are countless UDFA kickers who turn out pretty damn good.

Again, this isn't a "let's get rid of Cundiff" thread as much as it is a discussion about what his potential is to make the 53. I personally think he has a very good shot at making the 53, but I do not by any means believe he is guaranteed the spot because of his contract. I personally hope that this Tucker kid and whoever else (if anyone) we bring here for competition lights a fire under him and he trains hard. That is if he isn't already. If Cundiff is better than Tucker (probable but not definite) then he remains the kicker. If not, well, sorry to see you go.

[Yatagarasu]

I think we can carry two kickers since we have plenty of roster space. Remember last year, we filled like 5 spaces just with ST only guys and not all of them saw the field.

Man, everytime I see Billy Cundiff coming up for a kick, I'm on the edge because nothing is guaranteed with him. He looks so unconfident and mentally weak.

[img]http://footballfemina.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/cundiff.jpg?w=342&h=227[/img]

Come on, do you think I can trust a kicker that looks like this? He had a great season two years ago, but last year really shook him to the core since he struggled with adversity.

I want a kicker who's determined and not afraid to face the challenge.

[img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rhTqTvviJrA/TN3D8jKu7yI/AAAAAAAAAB0/a-YJGPxz4po/s320/Matt-Stover-6435395.jpg[/img]

Come on, look at this guy, he's poised and confident.

[arnie_uk]

[url="https://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/201058103200972801"]https://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/201058103200972801[/url]

We may have a bit of competititon

[NeoZer0]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1336512086' post='1074156']
I know we have Billy Cundiff and he is here as our starting kicker this year and this isn't a topic about cutting Cundiff for another kicker. Rather, this is a topic designed to discuss Billy Cundiff's chances of making the 53 as well as his competition to make the 53.

Harbaugh says everyone competes every year. We brought in this kid Justin Tucker, but how about we bring in Ryan Longwell who was just cut from the Vikings? I'm not saying to use him to [b]replace[/b] Cundiff, but competition couldn't hurt. Personally, I'd like to see us bring him here depending on the deal and how well he performs. He has been a very good kicker over the years. The biggest knock on him is that he primarily kicked inside, but I feel like he would be a nice camp body at the very least.
[/quote]

Seriously, Longwell is like 37. We need a long term solution at kicker. Lets see if Tucker can beat out Billy.

[SideStep77]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1336773965' post='1076495']
[url="https://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider/status/201058103200972801"]https://twitter.com/...058103200972801[/url]

We may have a bit of competititon
[/quote]

This definitely changes the view, I wouldn't even bet on Cundiff kicking a 55 yarder in camp right now. I think he will be good competition and get Cundiff to get his act together.

[Blex64]

[quote name='SideStep77' timestamp='1336836041' post='1076806']
This definitely changes the view, I wouldn't even bet on Cundiff kicking a 55 yarder in camp right now. I think he will be good competition and get Cundiff to get his act together.
[/quote]

This is something that bothered me a lot about last season. I read somewhere during camp/preseason (don't ask me where, I couldn't tell you) that Billy had been practicing 55-60 yarders and hitting them somewhat decently. Obviously that wasn't happening in the season, which makes me wonder if its purely a confidence thing with him.

[JO_75]

I know many people may or may not trust rookie Kickers and prefer to have a veteran, but if you look around the league some teams who have drafted Rookie Kickers have cut their veterans to start their Rookie Kicker. I mean Longwell is out in Minnesota, Josh Brown is out in St. Louis, and Jacksonville cut their Punters to start the Punter they drafted. That must say a lot about the Kickers in the 2012 Draft Class.

I just hope Cundiff and Tucker compete and let the best Kicker win.