Yeah, I noticed Ficken was really hammering those XPs when all he needed was a modest kick with some pop to get it out quick and over the DL.
XPs shouldn’t have so much on them that they break like curve balls. Just pop it up and take the easy kick.
Ficken’s kicks generate a lot of spin and because his strike doesn’t consistently release a neutral ball, he’s prone to some wicked hooks. A neutral ball spins end over end with no wobble.
GZ kicks like a mule, but also typically releases a neutral ball.
Hopefully Ficken will acquit himself well.
Hmmmm. It seems to me that there is generally a LOT of movement on GZ’s kicks and he also pounds the extra points.
All I’m saying is that Ficken will not be another GZ but is probably the best choice given the options. Otherwise, I highly doubt the Rams would have brought him back because they were lazy or couldn’t see that some other kicker was a better option.
I’m sorry but moreso than practically any other position, fans don’t know shit about kickers as NO ONE really pays much attention to them outside of looking up their stats.
I’m going with the idea - and I realize it’s a stretch - that Bones and even McVay looked at WAY more than stats. I’m also going to guess that they considered situations, ability to kick it deep, kicking off multiple surfaces, etc...
It’s just not plausible to me that the Rams didn’t consider other kickers. I suppose it’s possible but I don’t buy it.