Graham Gano's strong preseason performance quieted critics, until he missed his first FG try of the season. Here's why the Skins are right to keep him, and will be right to keep him even if he misses another kick or two early in the year.
First, itchy trigger-fingers have burned the Redskins before when it comes to kickers. Many years ago the Skins cut a young David Akers, who promptly joined the Eagles and performed for them at an all-pro level for the next 10 years.
More recently, in 2009 the Skins cut Shaun Suisham after his misses cost the team. But Suisham had a long track-record of accuracy. So the Steelers smartly picked him up, and Suisham hit 14 of 15 FGs for them last year on their way to the Super Bowl. Suisham remains the Steelers' kicker this year. (What is it with Pennsylvania teams plucking super-accurate kickers from the Skins?)
More to the point about Gano ... he's young and going to be a great kicker. He’s a beautiful blend of talent and technician. His leg strength is unquestioned. But his leg is also accurate. He made over 90% of his FGs in his last year of college at Florida State, and over 80% in the UFL. I also love how he has methodically changed his technique since last year to create a more consistent approach to kicking FGs (changing from a three- to a two-step approach). On kickoffs, his directional kicking last year was phenomenally consistent. And with the rule change bringing kickoffs to the 35 yard-line this year, I wouldn't be surprised if Gano achieves an 80% touchback rate.
In sum, even if Gano misses one or two more field goals early in the year, he'll be a great kicker for the next 10+ years and the Skins should keep him. It’s about time the Skins got less impulsive and took the long view on a kicker.
As always, comments welcome and encouraged...
(Note. This post was an updated version of one originally posted September 2.)
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