Realisticly What do you think happens to Tucker, K.O. and Upshaw this off season?

[52520Andrew]

only 1 miss and that was the kick in San Fran where he fell in the hole and was 1 of 5 to be perfect on extra points

Sounds pretty good. I know of another kicker who wasn't good from long range but was nearly automatic on the shorter stuff. He is in our ring of honor.

[Wildabeast88]

Sounds pretty good. I know of another kicker who wasn't good from long range but was nearly automatic on the shorter stuff. He is in our ring of honor.

I will take that all day also the new extra point rule you need someone automatic plus he hits the clutch ones

[usmccharles]

I will take that all day also the new extra point rule you need someone automatic plus he hits the clutch ones

and he does have a huge leg, remember he hit that 61 yarder in Detroit for the win. Also, pretty sure he's attempted the most 50+yarders in the league since he's been in

[Bullrush]

Who came up with this myth that Tucker doesn't have a big leg? He's regularly hitting 50+ yarders, almost all his kickoffs are touchbacks.

[The Raven]

Who came up with this myth that Tucker doesn't have a big leg? He's regularly hitting 50+ yarders, almost all his kickoffs are touchbacks.

 

While I agree that he has a big leg, he doesn't regularly hit 50+ yarders. He was 4/9 in 2014 and 4/10 this year. If that's your definition of "regular" you need a new dictionary.

Edited January 16, 2016 by The Raven

[Tank 92]

While I agree that he has a big leg, he doesn't regularly hit 50+ yarders. He was 4/9 in 2014 and 4/10 this year. If that's your definition of "regular" you need a new dictionary.

If I'm not mistaken I think 3 or 4 of those 2014 misses were in the 57 to 62 yard range. Not sure there are many kickers making those on a consistent basis.

[The Raven]

If I'm not mistaken I think 3 or 4 of those 2014 misses were in the 57 to 62 yard range. Not sure there are many kickers making those on a consistent basis.

 

Even if you account for those four, 12/19 over two years is not "regular."

[Tank 92]

Even if you account for those four, 12/19 over two years is not "regular."

OK. Throw out 2015 and he's pretty darn "regular", with his kicking that is. lol Hopefully the new field helps as I think most of the misses were at home.

[GrimCoconut]

OK. Throw out 2015 and he's pretty darn "regular", with his kicking that is. lol Hopefully the new field helps as I think most of the misses were at home.

I'm not sure how much that'll help. Natural turf isn't as consistent so that means we could see more kicks like that botched one in SF. Then again I never played football as a kicker so I have no idea. Only kicking I ever did was in soccer.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

We said we'd franchise Tucker. Probably because cheaper. I hope to god we can keep KO but highly doubt it.

[rmw10]

I'm not sure how much that'll help. Natural turf isn't as consistent so that means we could see more kicks like that botched one in SF. Then again I never played football as a kicker so I have no idea. Only kicking I ever did was in soccer.

 

I practiced for the football team for a week.  They needed a soccer player to kick since they were actually facing a decent kicker, so a few of us went out and helped out at practice for an hour each day.  We spent 2 days on natural grass and 3 on turf.  I hated the turf.  I didn't think I could ever get my foot planted.  It was a lot more "slippery" in a way.  I only have that one week to speak of as experience lol, but it's food for thought.

[Tank 92]

I'm not sure how much that'll help. Natural turf isn't as consistent so that means we could see more kicks like that botched one in SF. Then again I never played football as a kicker so I have no idea. Only kicking I ever did was in soccer.

The field in SF was in terrible shape and I can pretty much guarantee you'll never see a hole like that at M and T. Tucker has never had an issue at places like pburgh which historically has been pretty bad grass. I'm not quite sure what the recent issue at home is related to.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

We need Tucker, and Defense, not necessarily players, but scheme

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

the backup option has to be found via the draft. No sense in paying that much money for a backup when you can draft one for next to nothing, no way both of them are on this team next year, it's one or the other ..or even possibly neither. I see no scenario where we keep both.

You say you can't pay a guy that much to be a backup... But you're willing to pay nearly as much for him to not be on the team at all??

Our best line is still Monroe, KO, Zuttah/Urschel.

You can resign KO to eventually take over at LT but for next year play him at LG and cut Monroe the following year when you don't have as much dead money.

Even if not the whole paying him that much to be depth argument is silly considering it's $7.5 mill to keep him (if he's not willing to take a paycut, which isn't a foregone conclusion) and $5.5 mill to cut him.

In essence then, you'd only be paying $2mill for a starting caliber backup... Which more likely is your starter for one more year before you let him go.

I'd rather resign KO and save the money by cutting Zuttah and letting Urschel take over at center.

[usmccharles]

Tucker graded out the best kicker per pro football focus, there's always that

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Tucker graded out the best kicker per pro football focus, there's always that

Huge Tucker supporter here I want him back for the long term and truly believe it will happen. I am just wondering if some of his issues this year stemmed from his wife and baby on the way and not having a contract with any team beyond this season. It really could have been stressing him and affecting him through out the season. just a thought.

[Tank 92]

yeah, let Tucker go, save the $4 mil. and find another one like him in the later rounds.

 

 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Even if you account for those four, 12/19 over two years is not "regular."

If you look at it relatively... in comparison to what the league does from those distances on average from 50+... I'd bet his career average from 50-55 yds is well above league average, and probably even historical average.

[The Raven]

If you look at it relatively... in comparison to what the league does from those distances on average from 50+... I'd bet his career average from 50-55 yds is well above league average, and probably even historical average.

 

Career average, yes indeed. It worries me though because his second two years were pretty rough, despite his fantastic first two seasons.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Career average, yes indeed. It worries me though because his second two years were pretty rough, despite his fantastic first two seasons.

I agree. But I'd rather the guy who's automatic from 35-50, and take the chance that the recent shakiness from 50+ isn't a trend then to put my eggs in another basket.

The chances of finding someone better aren't that great and the chances of moving on and settling for worse is pretty good considering Tucker has been historically accurate.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Tucker is going to stay....

[Crabcakes&Football]

I want all 3 back. Tucker is the main priority. Upshaw is an asset to our defense, but his skillset is not expensive to replace. Let him test free agency. I'd love to have KO back who is a beast, but only as a guard, for guard money. He did well in his limited duty as a left tackle, but he's hardly a proven commodity at that position, and he's a much more natural guard.

[elemento]

KO - I'd love to have him back, but Guard money. If he goes delusional asking LT money because of a 4-game stretch, let him go. 

 

Upshaw - I'd keep him for cheap. Not willing to give him a big long-term contract though. 

 

Tucker - they have to keep him no matter what. Could be a long-term contract of franchise tag, I don't care as long as he stays. We can't go to the next season without a reliable kicker and Tucker is still among the best despite his "up and down" season. 

[Mad Puppy]

I don't think the Ravens should break the bank for a kicker, though his percentage was worse this year, he did attempt TEN 50+ yard FG this year. That is a lot, and a sign of the season where the Ravens had a lot of trouble moving the ball.

The margin is narrow in my opinion on kickers, a good offense keeps the kicks manageable. 

 

KO should be a priority, After Losing Ben Grubbs in his 1st contract after rookie deal, we should not have to spend a high draft pick on yet another Guard! Not to mention KO could conceivably be a starting Tackle.

I would rather see that high draft pick be a play maker!

Keep KO and you don't have to reload the offensive line starters at the expense of playmakers.

[usmccharles]

I don't think the Ravens should break the bank for a kicker, though his percentage was worse this year, he did attempt TEN 50+ yard FG this year. That is a lot, and a sign of the season where the Ravens had a lot of trouble moving the ball.

The margin is narrow in my opinion on kickers, a good offense keeps the kicks manageable.

what's your definition of breaking the bank? No team is paying more than 5mill for a kicker, and the top paid guy just missed a PAT for a chance at a superbowl appearance. Tucker will be retained at a top 5 price as he should be. Couple pages back I broke down all his kicks and everything Edited January 25, 2016 by usmccharles

[Mad Puppy]

I don't think the Ravens should break the bank for a kicker, though his percentage was worse this year, he did attempt TEN 50+ yard FG this year. That is a lot, and a sign of the season where the Ravens had a lot of trouble moving the ball.

The margin is narrow in my opinion on kickers, a good offense keeps the kicks manageable. 

 

KO should be a priority, After Losing Ben Grubbs in his 1st contract after rookie deal, we should not have to spend a high draft pick on yet another Guard! Not to mention KO could conceivably be a starting Tackle.

I would rather see that high draft pick be a play maker!

Keep KO and you don't have to reload the offensive line starters at the expense of playmakers.

 

 

what's your definition of breaking the bank? No team is paying more than 5mill for a kicker, and the top paid guy just missed a PAT for a chance at a superbowl appearance. Tucker will be retained at a top 5 price as he should be. Couple pages back I broke down all his kicks and everything

 

You will notice above I prefer to resign KO.

I don't think the Ravens should use the franchise tag on the Kicker. Breaking the bank in this case is franchise tag a kicker. As I stated above the margin been top 5 and #20 isn't all that much.

[usmccharles]

You will notice above I prefer to resign KO.

I don't think the Ravens should use the franchise tag on the Kicker. Breaking the bank in this case is franchise tag a kicker. As I stated above the margin been top 5 and #20 isn't all that much.

I have no issue with paying him top 5 as I think he is a top 5 kicker easy. Us signing tucker will not keep. Us from keeping KO

I think kickers under estimated

Edited January 25, 2016 by usmccharles

[Mad Puppy]

I have no issue with paying him top 5 as I think he is a top 5 kicker easy. Us signing tucker will not keep. Us from keeping KO

I hope you are right....

Signing KO opens up the draft a little as well in that I don't think you need to draft a Lineman in the 1st or 2nd round.....

Edited January 25, 2016 by Mad Puppy

[usmccharles]

I hope you are right....

Signing KO opens up the draft a little as well in that I don't think you need to draft a Lineman in the 1st or 2nd round.....

me too. And remember, if we franchised him that's only 2mill more than what he makes now with us. So I'd rather spend two mill for a product we know than take a chance of have a kicker battle every year

[ellicottraven]

I have no issue with paying him top 5 as I think he is a top 5 kicker easy. Us signing tucker will not keep. Us from keeping KO

I think kickers under estimated

Agree. I think Tucker should be paid an average of the top 5 kickers in the league and he deserves it. I do not believe we should make him the top paid kicker and his 2015 performance lends credence to that. Hopefully, Tucker and his agent see the reality of his situation and agree to a fair contract. Keep in mind, we developed and let go Haushka and Gano who are turning out to be awesome kickers in their own right. So, I don't think the Ravens will break the bank for Tucker but retain him at fair value.