Factoid
When it comes to kicking, the ultimate measuring stick is success from long range. Every kicker is reliable enough on kicks under 40 yards. We start to see separation in the range of 40 to 49 yards, and it’s the 50-plus range that’s really telling.
In that category, five kickers have converted over 60 percent in their career – Nate Kaeding, Rob Bironas, Josh Brown, Phil Dawson and Ryan Longwell.
Those are the guys, at least in my opinion, who are definitely worth more than the veteran minimum.
Of the lower-rated guys, one sticks out as an exception: Jeff Reed. His percentage is low, but he’s kicking half of his games at Heinz Field, whether it’s simply a lot harder to convert those kind of kicks. He’s also a top-caliber kicker (he’s a headache off the field, but that’s a separate issue).
FIELD GOAL ACCURACY FROM 50-PLUS YARDS, CAREER
(Kickers with at least 10 attempts).
FG FGA Pct
9 13 .692 Nate Kaeding
13 19 .684 Rob Bironas
25 37 .676 Josh Brown
10 16 .625 Phil Dawson
22 36 .611 Ryan Longwell
7 12 .583 Lawrence Tynes
16 28 .571 Rian Lindell
18 33 .545 Kris Brown
42 79 .532 Jason Hanson
11 21 .524 Josh Scobee
25 49 .510 Sebastian Janikowski
37 74 .500 John Kasay
10 20 .500 Jay Feely
9 18 .500 Shayne Graham
19 39 .487 Neil Rackers
14 29 .483 David Akers
8 17 .471 Mason Crosby
15 32 .469 Joe Nedney
18 39 .462 Olindo Mare
6 13 .462 Jeff Reed
10 22 .455 Adam Vinatieri
13 32 .406 Matt Stover
4 12 .333 Billy Cundiff
3 12 .250 Matt Bryant
—Ian Allan
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Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Jun. 22 at 06:27 AM
From 50-plus yards, Gostkowski has only had 5 attempts in his career.