It’s hard for me to figure out what to do about a kicker or how to value one. That being said, the pressure of the moment does not affect Meyers. You can’t count on him outside 60, but that’s not because of the pressure, that’s a physical limit. Inside 54 yards he’s as good as there is. Go ahead and call a time out. There’s no sweat on his face. He knows he’s giving it his best shot and that can’t be said of every kicker by a long shot. Some just wilt from the pressure. We could get a younger kicker with longer range, but if we need a 50 yard kick in the championship game, can the new guy get it done? I’d hate to find out we saved a few million and will be watching the Super Bowl without the Seahawks playing in it.
There's no right answer here. $7 million was too much to pay a kicker a couple years ago, but rule changes have made it necessary to rethink this. It's not only the ability to make 60+ yard kicks and/or consistently make all the "easy" stuff. It's also consistently avoiding touchbacks while dropping your kickoff as close to the goal line as possible. K-ball and especially dynamic kickoff rules have had a far greater impact on the game than most fans realize.
I wonder what Meyers and his agent think his worth is? Maybe Nick Folk's latest contract will move them towards a reasonable number. Is letting him play out his overpriced final year a viable option? I used to be with Michael Shawn Dugar on #neverkick, but after watching Sean Peyton give away a Super Bowl appearance by doing just that -followed by watching the Seahawks happily settle for field goals to win a championship; I feel that slogan is about as worthless as "let Russ cook."
I'll be the first to admit I was against paying a kicker so much last year, but his consistency was worth his weight in gold last season. Find a way to keep special teams intact for now.
It’s hard for me to figure out what to do about a kicker or how to value one. That being said, the pressure of the moment does not affect Meyers. You can’t count on him outside 60, but that’s not because of the pressure, that’s a physical limit. Inside 54 yards he’s as good as there is. Go ahead and call a time out. There’s no sweat on his face. He knows he’s giving it his best shot and that can’t be said of every kicker by a long shot. Some just wilt from the pressure. We could get a younger kicker with longer range, but if we need a 50 yard kick in the championship game, can the new guy get it done? I’d hate to find out we saved a few million and will be watching the Super Bowl without the Seahawks playing in it.
How have the K-Ball rules helped kickers?
Funny you should ask....
https://www.bing.com/search?q=K-Ball+rule&FORM=SSQNT1&PC=EDGEDB
There's no right answer here. $7 million was too much to pay a kicker a couple years ago, but rule changes have made it necessary to rethink this. It's not only the ability to make 60+ yard kicks and/or consistently make all the "easy" stuff. It's also consistently avoiding touchbacks while dropping your kickoff as close to the goal line as possible. K-ball and especially dynamic kickoff rules have had a far greater impact on the game than most fans realize.
What popped up in my head while reading your excellent post is the question: What do the Seahawks expect to need from a kicker in the next few years?
Last year, we didn’t need a long ball kicker as much as we needed a very consistent middle distance kicker.
In that situation, what is the likelihood of getting worse if we move on from Meyers?
I wonder what Meyers and his agent think his worth is? Maybe Nick Folk's latest contract will move them towards a reasonable number. Is letting him play out his overpriced final year a viable option? I used to be with Michael Shawn Dugar on #neverkick, but after watching Sean Peyton give away a Super Bowl appearance by doing just that -followed by watching the Seahawks happily settle for field goals to win a championship; I feel that slogan is about as worthless as "let Russ cook."
I'll be the first to admit I was against paying a kicker so much last year, but his consistency was worth his weight in gold last season. Find a way to keep special teams intact for now.
Jason Meyers, 190 lbs x 16 oz. x $4,720. oz of gold = $14,348,800.
... maybe for a three year contract. hah, hah
Thanks for that! LOL
I agree Beastmode808.
Maybe they should ride out his final contract year and train up someone new on the practice squad in the mean-time.