What will the Bengals do to address place kickers?

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 6, 2010 2:00 PM EST in Analysis

One of the least talked about positions with the Bengals during the dawn of this year's free agency, is what will the Bengals do for place kickers. After the Bengals signed Dave Rayner in mid-February, speculation was that the Bengals would be letting Shayne Graham leave Cincinnati after missing two field goals in the team's Wild Card loss. Still, the Bengals allowed that the team could bring Shayne Graham back, provided it's a team-friendly deal. While it sounds like the Bengals would sacrifice performance and, you know, the ability to make field goals in clutch situations, I believe that the Bengals leaving open the possibility of Graham returning was a way for Bengals to not lose face by coming off prickish to Graham in the media. I think a chance for his return is next to nil.

Much like wide receivers, the situation at place kicker is on life support. No, I don't think Dave Rayner is the answer. I think he's steward of place kickers, holding the fort until the Bengals sign someone that's more long-term. Will it happen through free agency?

Of the 12 kickers scheduled for free agency (as shown on NFL.com), two were tagged (Seattle's Olindo Mare and Pittsburgh's Jeff Reed), six are restricted free agents and four are unrestricted. Of the restricted free agents, the good kickers were tendered and the rest were guys that you could probably sign off the streets in December.

Kickers	Status	2009 Team	Notes
Jeff Reed	Franchised	Steelers
Olindo Mare	Franchised	Seahawks
Jay Feely	UFA	Jets	Wants to return to New York.
Shayne Graham	UFA	Bengals
Neil Rackers	UFA	Cardinals
Matt Stover	UFA	Colts	Likely to retire
Shane Andrus	RFA	49ers	49ers have exclusive rights.
Rhys Lloyd	RFA	Panthers	Panthers didn't tender. Mostly a kickoff specialist.
Billy Cundiff	RFA	Ravens	Given low tender.
Stephen Gostkowski	RFA	Patriots	Given second-round tender.
Ricky Schmidt	RFA	49ers	Off the street type of kicker.
Shaun Suisham	RFA	Cowboys	Not give tender.
Dan Carpenter	RFA	Dolphins	Dolphins have exclusive rights. Made Pro Bowl as replacement.

There are players like Mike Nugent missing from the list, which makes me believe that others are missing. Nugent was released by the Arizona Cardinals in January.

After observing the list, it makes you think that the Bengals could be better off using the draft, or that period after the draft where players are signed as undrafted free agents, to find a suitable replacement, if not a long-term solution. Guys like Alabama's Leigh Tiffin, Michigan State's Brett Swenson, Ohio State's Aaron Pettrey and Texas' Hunter Lawrence will be available during the draft.

Does it seem likely that Cincinnati would draft a kicker or do you think they should sign someone in free agency?

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Comments

Draft one?

Kicker is such a weird position. Guys come off the street and play better than some other guys that have been in the league for 5 years.

by jsl413 on Mar 6, 2010 2:05 PM EST reply actions

From what I've seen...

…the draft class is extremely weak this year. This leads me to believe that the Bengals will probably sign a CFA to offer competition to Rayner. Suisham is kind of “Grahamish”—reliable from short range, but known for a huge leg. Could be obtained for a reasonable price.

by goffchile on Mar 6, 2010 2:33 PM EST reply actions

Nick Folk

I was hoping they would sign Nick Folk. But the Jets signed him within hours of his availability. Something the Bengals would never do.Why don’t the fans give them the same treatment ? Instead of buying tickets now, wait until the season gets close. See if they can drop their price. Isn’t that why they go slow in the FA process ???

by redberkey on Mar 6, 2010 2:57 PM EST reply actions

under ordinary circumstances

this would be the sort of question that having a fully staffed scouting department would answer for you. Who knows how MB and the Bengals front office will approach it.

by Mr. X on Mar 6, 2010 3:10 PM EST reply actions

Aaron Pettrey please..

by WHYUS!! on Mar 6, 2010 5:12 PM EST reply actions

Draft

if we had to pick one of the free agents, I hate Neil Rackers the least.

by Greener's eyes on Mar 6, 2010 10:14 PM EST reply actions

Out of that list who will really be available

Rackers and Graham are by far the best. Rayner is a 70% lifetime kicker and Suisham was the worst kicker in the league the past few seasons.

I’m pissed at Graham for missing those kicks in the playoffs, but don’t forget the screw job he got from Brad St. Louis, that probably really messed him up in the confidence department not to mention being franchised. I bet with another year he’d be back to 90% form.

As for Rackers, he used to have a huge leg and had one of the best seasons ever a few years ago when he made 40 plus field goals, although he was kicking in a dome most of the time.

Gostkowski or Carpenter would be great too, but I’m sure they’ll be resigned.

We can’t seriously be thinking about starting the season with Dave Rayner, that is a joke.

by St. Esiason on Mar 10, 2010 5:07 PM EST reply actions