Billy Cundiff Released; Justin Tucker Wins Kicking Job

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1346009429' post='1130283']
For the record, he won't [i]just[/i] be remembered for that miss. At least not by us Ravens fans. After a pro bowl season in 2010, he struggled mightly last year, and his numbers from the 11 season are more of a telling story of what his career has been as a kicker: rocky.

Tucker simply beat him out for the job. Congrats, [b]Josh [/b]and good luck, Billy.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i][clears throat][/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]

[flynismo]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1346001136' post='1130055']


And perfect example of what I am talking about lol
[/quote]

Which is what? Being judgmental because people got sick of mediocrity all season long? Or because we are thrilled that Tucker outplayed Cundiff, took his job, and as a result restored some faith back into our kicker position?

I'm glad Cundiff is gone. Obviously, the FO agrees with that sentiment.

[Ravenslifer]

I think we all expected this would happen. There will be some growing pains with Tucker, like with any young player, but I think he'll be worth it. Hopefully for himself and his family, Billy gets another opportunity somewhere else.

[jimmypowder]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1346012952' post='1130346']
I think we all expected this would happen. There will be some growing pains with Tucker, like with any young player, but I think he'll be worth it. Hopefully for himself and his family, Billy gets another opportunity somewhere else.
[/quote]

If he can make better then 56% of his kicks in away games,he will already be better then Cundiff was last year.

That is a very very low bar!

[52BirdsOfPrey20]

I am Commander Shepard and this is my favorite cut in the NFL.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='jimmypowder' timestamp='1346013832' post='1130367']
If he can make better then[b] 56%[/b] of his kicks in away games,he will already be better then Cundiff was last year.

That is a very very low bar!
[/quote]

Ouch. I didn't realize Billy was THAT bad on the road last year. Who knows, maybe a fresh start and a chip on his shoulder is just what Billy needs. I'm just interested to see Tucker (all the rookies really) in his first trip to Heinz field.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1346001436' post='1130063']
It's all how you spin it really.[u][i][b] I mean you would be mad too if you were the starter and they don't give you an equal opportunity to kick all game.[/b][/i][/u] But it's whatever, some people see it differently, interested to see final cuts.
[/quote]

What did he have to be mad about? He got beat fair and square in a direct competition. Thursday's game was just a final test for a decision that was beginning to form much earlier.

The whole "it's Billy's job to lose" thing was BS and a smoke screen. If I have a kicker that was 13 for 23 on the road and also missed the most important FG(on the road) in Team history, he wouldn't be a "starter" the next year unless I had no other viable options. I'm sure folks that know football much better than I felt the same way.

There was no reason for his petulant attitude during the interview. He had to know the writing was on the wall long before that game.

[jimmypowder]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1346013960' post='1130373']
Ouch. I didn't realize Billy was THAT bad on the road last year. Who knows, maybe a fresh start and a chip on his shoulder is just what Billy needs. I'm just interested to see Tucker (all the rookies really) in his first trip to Heinz field.
[/quote]

Yeah most kickers would have been canned after the season with those type of stats. pretty much he made 1 out of 2 kicks in away games .Completely unacceptable!!!!!!!!

[PeRK82]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1345999797' post='1130027']
Woot woot!

My weekend just started with this great news.

The Tucker era has begun. Go get it, kid!!!!
[/quote]


Tucker will look good wearing All Black Booyaa

[PeRK82]

I was sold when he kicked that 50 plus yarder.


I'll just quote John Dillingers Last Words, seems so fitting [color=#4b0082]" Bye Bye Black Bird " [/color]

[PeRK82]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1346012952' post='1130346']
I think we all expected this would happen. There will be some growing pains with Tucker, like with any young player, but I think he'll be worth it. Hopefully for himself and his family, Billy gets another opportunity somewhere else.
[/quote]

He really can't do any worse,
Well, he can miss a FG to win in the SB.
Other than that, Billy has missed all Clutch kicks in my book.

[truthistold2u]

[quote name='RavFan01' timestamp='1346011776' post='1130323']
I am so glad Tucker won the job. I feel like Cundiff doesnt realize that kick in the AFC Championship game was bigger then he thought. You dont miss a 32 yarder in high stakes like that and then cry to the press like a child about not playing in a preseason game and get away with it. [u][b]Cundiff will be on another team within a week[/b][/u], so I wish him the best. Tucker looks awesome. Go Ravens!!!!!
[/quote]

That much demand for the 27th most accurate kicker?

[Gordo52]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1346014634' post='1130386']
[/quote]
Are you working on any videos? I think a preseason highlight reel would be pretty cool.

[Tank 92]

This was the correct decision, but I'm not ready to crown "King Tuck" just yet. I need to see a full, consistent season from him.
It's not that I don't have faith in Justin to perform, just keepin' it real.

[jimmypowder]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1346015153' post='1130400']
This was the correct decision, but I'm not ready to crown "King Tuck" just yet. I need to see a full, consistent season from him.
It's not that I don't have faith in Justin to perform, just keepin' it real.
[/quote]

I'll keep it real.Cundiff made 56% of his kicks in away games last year. I could kick better then that and i know Tucker
can do better then that.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1346001763' post='1130076']
Ah dang. My favorite player cut. Oh well. Billy is a great guy and I'm glad he had apro bowl year with us and set an touchback record. I will cheer for you Billy always. Good luck man! Gotta get used to [b]Tucky[/b].
[/quote]
[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1346001860' post='1130081']
I'm going to be mad if[b] Tucky[/b] doesent live up to what people said he will be.
[/quote]


Please stop calling him [i]Tucky. [/i]Please?

[gilgamesh]

I wish Billy well in his future endeavors. I wish Justin well in his current endeavor.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='truthistold2u' timestamp='1346014824' post='1130389']
That much demand for the 27th most accurate kicker?
[/quote]

5 teams could kick his tyres. The teams that had the 28th-32nd most accurate kickers.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='jimmypowder' timestamp='1346015433' post='1130408']
I'll keep it real.Cundiff made 56% of his kicks in away games last year. I could kick better then that and [i][b]i know Tucker
can do better then that.[/b][/i]
[/quote]

Yep, I agree. But that don't make him "King Tuck"! I hope, and think he will get the crown in Feb. of 2013.

Cautious optimism.......

[Alexir]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1346012735' post='1130343']
Which is what? Being judgmental because people got sick of mediocrity all season long? Or because we are thrilled that Tucker outplayed Cundiff, took his job, and as a result restored some faith back into our kicker position?

I'm glad Cundiff is gone. Obviously, the FO agrees with that sentiment.
[/quote]

Im glad Tucker won the job too, I guess you didn't read the first post I made.

It's just like show some couth about someone losing their job, I notice a lot of people do that for several players or coaches. To each their own, I guarantee the front office was professional about it so I don't think they agree with the sentiment of "good riddance"...

[PSU RAVEN]

OK so Cundiff is cut what do you think they will do with the $1.8 MM in cap space?

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='PSU RAVEN' timestamp='1346018095' post='1130469']
OK so Cundiff is cut what do you think they will do with the $1.8 MM in cap space?
[/quote]

Up the offer to Williams?

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1346018753' post='1130478']
Up the offer to Williams?
[/quote]

No way. Sign Flacco or pass rush help.

[ravensfan2424]

Aren't the Jets looking into Cundiff? and Congrats to Tucker! Hope he pans out to become our Stover 2.0!

[PSU RAVEN]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1346018753' post='1130478']
Up the offer to Williams?
[/quote]
Can never have enough DBs. Even from the strong Jags game still not too sold on the Suggs replacement cartel of Kruger , Kindle and Upshaw

[jazz1988]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1346002097' post='1130090']
Hard to feel sorry for a guy who stands to make roughly $400,000 for sitting on his butt. He's going to try to get another position, which pays more money than a good chunk of people can make in decades. Don't try to make cut players out to be martyrs.
[/quote]


Losing a job is still losing a job. I dont care how much money you make if you lose your job it sucks and it definately isnt a guarantee you will get a job right away. As a Man with a familly all you want to do is continue to work and provide for your family and make sure everything is financially straight.

[rmw10]

All kickers were rookies at some point. No worries on that end.

Glad the organization made the correct move.

[Medications]

Losing a job in this way is just the nature of the gig, it comes with the territory. You get paid more than most people will ever make to kick a ball, but you also don't get much job security. That's the trade off, they know what they're getting into by making that their career choice.

[CharlesK]

One of those tough decisions that come in life. In the end it may be for the best. I didn't see anything real impressive about Cundiff last year (nothing exceptionally bad except for the last kick) and he missed the most important kick of the season. The loss is by no means on him alone (there was unfortunately plenty of blame to go around) but when you are paid as well as the NFL players are played then the expectations are insanely high. If I screwed up royal on the job (like knocking someone's power out or hitting a gas main) then I would be let go after my insurance paid for the damage of course. Tucker has looked very sharp during the preseason. No doubt about it. These days come in the NFL. You shake hands, close out the contract and move on. Cundiff should be able to find work somewhere else. Hope things go well for the gent.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1346017389' post='1130444']


Im glad Tucker won the job too, I guess you didn't read the first post I made.

It's just like show some couth about someone losing their job, I notice a lot of people do that for several players or coaches. To each their own, I guarantee the front office was professional about it so I don't think they agree with the sentiment of "good riddance"...
[/quote]

Ok, I can agree that people could be more sensitive to the guy who just told us he'd leave us on a heartbeat, but thats not a reason to question their fanhood. They want Cundiff gone because it was best for the team, and what fan doesn't want what is in our best onterests?