Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

Almost doesn't count in the NFL and that has never been so apparent as it has been watching kickers this post season. It has simply been an ugly playoff season in the NFL. 4 out of 8 games were nearly unwatchable for the faint of heart, and the Jet/Bengal and Colt/Raven games weren't much better. Thankfully, fortunate scheduling has left a sweet taste in the football fan's mouth each weekend, as we've been treated to two great contests.

Contributing to the ugly playoff rounds has been a display of kicking the likes of which APT has never seen. Playoff kickers are kicking at a miserable 57.7% in this year's playoff games, including going just 2 of 5 from 30-39 yards. 30 to 39 yards is supposed to be a chip shot for these pros!! Here are the numbers on the field goal percentages for playoff kickers over the past decade (couldn't find 30-39 numbers on 2001):

Year: FGs - Pct. - 30-39 yards

2001: 37/46 80.4%
2002: 33/47 70.2% 13/14
2003: 38/49 77.6% 13/18
2004: 28/34 82.4% 11/12
2005: 25/29 86.2% 9/10
2006: 46/50 92.0% 8/9
2007: 25/33 75.8% 9/13
2008: 32/38 84.2% 10/10
2009: 15/26 57.7% 2/5

So just LAST SEASON, kickers were 10 for 10!!! from 30-39 yards. I know we only return 5 of last season's playoff kickers, but they are responsible for 5 of this seasons missed field goals (see Nate Kaeding above). Jay Feeley, Ryan Longwell, Matt Stover and Garret Hartley have 3 games to improve the numbers, but unless they manage 11 straight makes (26/37, 70.3%), it will be the worst of the decade.

This idea first came about during the regular season, when 32 NFL teams used 42 different kickers (Mike Nugent, Billy Cundiff and Sean Suisham twice), with only Adam Vinatieri losing a job due to injury. But looking at the numbers, the season, actually wasn't all that bad (84.5%). However the playoffs have told a different story.

Here's hoping things improve, from a guy who appreciates the kicking game as much as anyone. For those of you who've ever gotten sucked into a game by the leg of Shane Lechler or Mike Scifres, those who wait to use the bathroom because Jeff Feagles gets a chance to pin the opposition inside the 5, those who beg at the end of a half for the Raiders to give Sebastian Janikowski a chance to kick from 70, those who were amazed at Nate Kaeding's 69 CONSECUTIVE 40 and under FGs (broken this weekend), and those who were touched by Matt Bryant's game winning 62 yarder after the death of his young daughter. For all you, APT hopes these NFL kickers shake it off and get it right.

APT