have 'open competition' at kicker
 

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...ot/7454147002/

The Indianapolis Colts' place-kicker job is up for grabs.

Coach Frank Reich made it clear Wednesday that while incumbent Rodrigo Blankenship has the inside track on retaining his role in 2021, recent free agent acquisition Eddy Pineiro will have a chance to win the job in training camp and during the preseason.

"It's open competition," Reich said. "But Hot Rod is the incumbent. Hot Rod had a good season for us last year, so that's obviously taken into consideration. He'll have to earn it again this year. ... It is open competition."

Blankenship, a 24-year-old undrafted free agent out of Georgia, won the job last season in a battle with incumbent Chase McLaughlin that Colts leadership described as an incredibly close competition. In fact, Reich went as far as to call the decision to go with Blankenship rather than McLaughlin "the toughest one" the Colts had to make on cut-down day.

Reich hinted Wednesday that given Blankenship's track record with the team, he will enter the "open competition" with more of an edge than McLaughin carried as the incumbent last season.

Blankenship enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, making 32-of-37 kicks (86.5%) and 43-of-45 extra points (95.6%), giving the Colts some needed stability at the position after a rocky final season from future hall-of-famer Adam Vinatieri.

Blankenship's 32 made field goals ranked fourth in the NFL, though his mark of 86.5% ranked 16th among kickers with at least 15 attempts.

While Blankenship was largely dependable on short-to-mid-range kicks during the season, his 33-yard miss late in the third quarter against Buffalo in the playoffs loomed large in a game the Colts lost 27-24.

I like Blankenship but he does not have a big leg and can't be counted on to make them over 45.

Vinny didn't have a big leg until he was well past his 30's. I think that aspect of his game can be developed.

yeah

i hope he gets cut

Blankenship knows his issue is leg strength. If he didn't put time in to improve over the off season, I hope Pineiro wins the job. Having said that, I'm rooting for Blankenship and improved range. Ballard wants competition so you need improve to make the team. Sets a mindset hopefully.

I'm down with this idea of Ballard being a bit ruthless and being serious about competition at every position.
Its one thing to say it, and pretty much all teams do, but you'll often see it implied that certain positions never get challenged.
It works except when you have a spoiled/entitled baby in that spot, as it appears Aaron Rodgers is at this point.

No one respects the kicker but they are super important. Games are so close now. How many come down to a last second kick? Just get the best one they can.

Good. If you can't hit a 50-55 yard FG in the NFL, find another job.

Or you better be near 100% accurate below 50 yards. Blankenship was neither. That said, I like him personally and hope he changes that this season.

How many kickers meet that?

I hate the fact that some games come down to whether you have a good kicker or not. The Colts were damn lucky to have the GOAT as our kicker, as were the Pats.

Specs missing a chip shot 33 yard field goal against the Bills drove me more insane than I already was. He changed the whole dynamics of that game.

So hell yeah, he should have competition. He isn't good enough to not have competition at his position.

That can hit a 50 yard FG? Most in the NFL.

Here are the five kickers who had under 50% success rates from 50+.

Greg Zuerlein: 3/9
Joey Slye: 1/6
Mike Badgley: 2/6
Wil Lutz: 1/3
Rodrigo: 1/3

However, all of them other than RB have career averages of 50% or more about 50%, so they'll get a bit of a pass. My guess is for a guy like Slye, a year or two of 1/6 performances will get him out of the league really quickly.

Granted, I didn't see all these kickers and how they missed, but what was concerning about RB was the fact he didn't seem to have enough leg on his misses.

In fairness to RB though (and it does feel like I'm bashing him too much), he is quite accurate below 50 yards (91%), so I have to admit part of my statement earlier was incorrect. If he can just get his accuracy above 50 yards better I hope he has a long career here.

Article says Blankenship has improved leg strength, is hitting from 65 yards. Would be nice

https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2021/...cking-improve/