What about Paul Edinger?

[Bretsky]

I can see it now.... 4 seconds before the game goes into OT, we're playing at the dump, Longwell has a chance to win it with a 30 yard attempt and...WIDE RIGHT.

The next morning, Queen fans will be reading about how Longwell doesn't like his holder.

Hey, it's not THAT entirely off base, is it??

Longwell making game winners was normally automatic. His holders were atrocious last year in practice, the preseason, and regular season. The only thing we can fault him for is talking about the truth.

[GBRulz]

I can see it now.... 4 seconds before the game goes into OT, we're playing at the dump, Longwell has a chance to win it with a 30 yard attempt and...WIDE RIGHT.

The next morning, Queen fans will be reading about how Longwell doesn't like his holder.

Hey, it's not THAT entirely off base, is it??

Longwell making game winners was normally automatic. His holders were atrocious last year in practice, the preseason, and regular season. The only thing we can fault him for is talking about the truth.

I never said he was a bad kicker now did I? Just trying to have a little fun with the purple people.

[Bretsky]

I can see it now.... 4 seconds before the game goes into OT, we're playing at the dump, Longwell has a chance to win it with a 30 yard attempt and...WIDE RIGHT.

The next morning, Queen fans will be reading about how Longwell doesn't like his holder.

Hey, it's not THAT entirely off base, is it??

Longwell making game winners was normally automatic. His holders were atrocious last year in practice, the preseason, and regular season. The only thing we can fault him for is talking about the truth.

I never said he was a bad kicker now did I? Just trying to have a little fun with the purple people.

I know; be nice to me. I'm having a guy pms

[GBRulz]

I was going to ask if you've had your fiber lately..lol

[GBRulz]

nice way to commemorate my 400th post...talking about B and fiber

[MadtownPacker]

Whenever he trotted out onto the field when playing against the Vikes I always knew there was almost no chance he'd miss it.

Very true and thats the real reason I will hate him now. But watch out when you play the bears. I believe most of longwell's choke jobs have come against them.

[Bretsky]

nice way to commemorate my 400th post...talking about B and fiber

400th post talking with B; no better dude to break history with

[Fritz]

What's always been fascinating for me is the way GM's treat kickers and punters - mostly like an afterthought. Like picking up a loaf of bread on the way home - "oh yeah, I almost forgot we need that!"

These are the guys who can either win you the game or flush the hard work of your team down the toilet with a crappy kick or punt (see Bidwell, Josh, versus Philadelphia). I don't know why a GM wouldn't scout this area especially closely, pick up a couple guys, and work with them on the practice squad for a year or two and develop them. Think the the level of talent that's on a practice squad. Who's probably the most famous practice squad player from GB to make the big time? Probably Billy Schroeder. Be still my beating heart.

[Noodle]

Fritz, I'm with you. I guess I can understand the contempt that most fans hold for kickers, but GMs should know better. All these kickers do is win or lose games for you. Especially in an NFL where there's so much parity, it amazes me that people don't seem to get how important field position and FG accuracy is.

Your example of Bidwell is very good. Fans love to grind Sherman for not going for it on 4th and 1, but cripes, if Bidwell sticks Philly inside the ten, that game is over.

Anybody notice how NE has managed to have such a great run? Sure, Brady has played great, but it would have been all for nothing if their kicker hadn't won big games for them, including a couple of SBs. So be satisfied with Billy C if you want, but I'm big time worried.

[BlueBrewer]

I agree also; The player that score the most points in a season for a team should be thought of more highly than the water boy. I was a kicker in high school, obviously a much different situation than pro football but with enough practice, kicking is not that hard IMHO. Why are good kickers so hard to find?

[billy_oliver880]

Why are good kickers so hard to find?

If you are going to kick in the NFL you better be damn good and being able to adapt to different conditions and be able to handle pressure from the fans and from the team.

[Guiness]

What about Todd Peterson? He's floating around out there somewhere, and isn't bad, as far as I've seen.

Agreed, it will be interesting to see if the Vikes can satisfy Longwell's need for a perfect holder. People complain about carrying a dedicated long snapper, but Pederson was essentially a designated holder for a couple of years.

[Scott Campbell]

What's always been fascinating for me is the way GM's treat kickers and punters - mostly like an afterthought. Like picking up a loaf of bread on the way home - "oh yeah, I almost forgot we need that!"

Afterthought? Our previous GM traded up to take a punter in the 3rd round.

[mngolf19]

I believe the rule of thumb is that a bad kicker will cost you at least 1 game a year. In a 16 game season that is huge.

[BlueBrewer]

I believe the rule of thumb is that a bad kicker will cost you at least 1 game a year. In a 16 game season that is huge.

Unless you are the Cowboys and then Billy Cundiff costs you 3 or 4 games and gets eaten by the Tuna.