Is there a timeline on Legatron's injury? Sam Ficken needs to go.
- Thread starter Tony iz Ramlike
- Start date
-
To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.
ReekofRams
Hall of Fame
Hey has anyone bothered answering the question in the title of this thread?
Hey has anyone bothered answering the question in the title of this thread?
I answered it in another thread recently: 4 to 6 weeks.
It's time for the Rams to make a change at kicker until Greg Zuerlein returns
By: Cameron DaSilva
https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/09/28/nfl-los-angeles-rams-sam-ficken-kicker-greg-zuerlein/
Since he went down, the Rams have tried Johnny Hekker and Sam Ficken at kicker. Unfortunately, Ficken hasn’t looked any better than Hekker did in Week 2 when he was called upon on short notice. That’s a problem for Los Angeles and Sean McVay knows it.
In two games since taking over for Zuerlein, Ficken has made just 1 of 3 field goal attempts and booted a kickoff out of bounds. His first miss was from 46 yards just before the half against the Chargers, which would’ve given the Rams a 24-13 lead. Not a gimme by any means, but certainly one he should make.
His most recent miss, however, is the one that’s especially troubling. From 28 yards out with the chance to give the Rams a 13-point lead and almost put the game out of reach, Ficken missed wide right. The Vikings came back and kicked a field goal on the ensuing possession to cut the lead from 10 to seven, giving Kirk Cousins a chance in the final minutes to tie it up. Had Ficken made the kick, Minnesota couldn’t have settled for a field goal, forcing the Vikings to go for it on fourth.
McVay didn’t address Ficken’s woes after the win, but his decision-making during the game was telling enough. Rather than trying a 54-yarder to give the Rams a 31-20 lead in the third quarter, McVay opted for a fake punt with Hekker throwing it deep to Josh Reynolds on fourth-and-10. Not a terrible call, but also one he doesn’t make with Zuerlein healthy. McVay kicks a field goal in that situation nine out of 10 times.
So what are the Rams to do now? They’ve remained loyal to Ficken twice now, giving him every chance to prove he’s an NFL kicker. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t seem to be in the cards for him. He’s 3-for-6 on field goals in his career, while also missing an extra point last season.
Granted, Chris Boswell of the Steelers – who signed a five-year contract this offseason – has been even worse in 2018 (1-for-4 on field goals, 9-for-11 on PATs), but Pittsburgh is stuck with him. The Rams have a chance to move on from Ficken right now before things get worse.
Pro Bowl kickers aren’t just walking the streets looking for jobs, but bringing in some competition for the time being might not be a bad idea.
The Rams are too good on offense to have a kicker who can’t make a 28-yarder in the fourth quarter. That’s must-make by every stretch of the imagination and it could’ve cost the Rams a win.
Can't find the specific tweet i saw the other day but here is one. My hope is we have him for Green Bay. Our next three games shouldn't be too stressful against Seahags, Denver, and the Whiners. After that we got Green Bay, New Orleans, and a few weeks later Kansas City. So I'm praying for a green Bay return.
View: https://twitter.com/Rich_Hammond/status/1045788129284698112
View: https://twitter.com/Rich_Hammond/status/1045788129284698112
You have ten days and I disagree about a couple of years ago on Zuerlein, Zuerlein was a proven kicker after a couple of years, you obvously give those guys more leeway, however, Ficken wasn't even that good in college and had never kicked for another team, IMO, he does not handle the pressure well and Rams have been fortunate so far, but nothing wrong with bringing in competition and see how Ficken reacts and if he out kicks the competition, great, but I'm betting he won't.
There are a few kickers out there like Cairo Santos, little concerned with his health as well as he has a history of groin issues too, but Andy Franks former Dolphin worked out last season for the Rams too, but if Santos is healthy, he would be a major upgrade over Ficken, who again seems to get the "Yips." Great article @Prime Time totally on point.
There are a few kickers out there like Cairo Santos, little concerned with his health as well as he has a history of groin issues too, but Andy Franks former Dolphin worked out last season for the Rams too, but if Santos is healthy, he would be a major upgrade over Ficken, who again seems to get the "Yips." Great article @Prime Time totally on point.
There's threads crack me up and bring back such fond memories!!! It wasn't too long ago threads like this were coming up about replacing Zeurlein eitherI was really hoping Ficken would get a game ball haha
For real...just stay the damn course.
I believe the operative phrase here is horse shit! In 2014 he was an 80% FG kicker and missed an XP. Then in 2015 he was a 66% FG kicker and missed 2 XP. It was a regular thing around here to want him gone in every GDT and vent thread. People were furious we didn't even bring in competition for him in 2016. He then goes on to have a decent year at 86% followed by a Pro Bowl season in 2017 and suddenly he was great the whole time? Sorry you can't sell that, GZ had many problems and people wanted him gone.
I know it sucks but we can't rush him back. If he comes back to soon we could lose him again. Need him for the playoffs
So lets go hypothetical...with the 3 FG opportunities in Thurs game:
#1. 36 yd line/54 yd FG
#2. 16 yd line/34 yd FG
#3. 10 yd line/28 yd FG
If we give Ficken attempts at all 3 - looks like we could count on him making 1.
Net result is 3 pts and poor field position on the 54 yd attempt
If we do the following for each situation:
#1. punt inside 10 yd line - 0 pts
#2. go for it on 4th down and make it leading to a TD - 7 pts
#3. go for it on 4th down and don't make it - 0 pts
The net result is good field position on 2 and 7 pts. This may be McVay's strategy going forward. TDs over FGs.
#1. 36 yd line/54 yd FG
#2. 16 yd line/34 yd FG
#3. 10 yd line/28 yd FG
If we give Ficken attempts at all 3 - looks like we could count on him making 1.
Net result is 3 pts and poor field position on the 54 yd attempt
If we do the following for each situation:
#1. punt inside 10 yd line - 0 pts
#2. go for it on 4th down and make it leading to a TD - 7 pts
#3. go for it on 4th down and don't make it - 0 pts
The net result is good field position on 2 and 7 pts. This may be McVay's strategy going forward. TDs over FGs.
Yeah Greg the Leg (for much of career) hasn't been much more than average...
Until last year when he was great. (See the rest of the team as well)
Ficken making Greg and anyone else look god like.
JZ was off and I notice he only played 14 games. He was 20-30. He was 5-8 from 40-49 yards and only hit on 3-9 from 50+. He had a groin injury. I just remember he missed a lot of long ones. Rams have to make sure he is healthy before returning.
http://www.nfl.com/player/gregzuerlein/2534797/careerstats
https://www.sbnation.com/fantasy/20...-zuerlein-injury-update-fantasy-football-rams
ReekofRams
Hall of Fame
ReekofRams
Hall of Fame
[QUOTE="OldSchool, post: 1113455, member: 1084" Sorry you can't sell that, GZ had many problems and people wanted him gone.[/QUOTE]
Okay some did and he had a tough year after a stellar rookie season and I do believe the did bring in some competiion, but stuck with him. Again, I don't believe Ficken is on the same level as he really struggled at Penn State, however, I would like to bring in some competition and see how Ficken responds, if the Rams, still feel Ficken is the guy, okay I guess, but while I will agree with you on Zuerlein IMO, Ficken I don't think has the goods and again based on college and his play thus far and as always, JMHO.
Okay some did and he had a tough year after a stellar rookie season and I do believe the did bring in some competiion, but stuck with him. Again, I don't believe Ficken is on the same level as he really struggled at Penn State, however, I would like to bring in some competition and see how Ficken responds, if the Rams, still feel Ficken is the guy, okay I guess, but while I will agree with you on Zuerlein IMO, Ficken I don't think has the goods and again based on college and his play thus far and as always, JMHO.
Let’s see...
Ficken is 1 for 3 on FG’s?
One kickoff out of bounds giving Chargers possession on their 40?
McVay feels forced to call fake punts because he doesn’t trust Ficken?
Some of Ficken’s PAT’s have looked like screwballs in a hurricane?
And some favor keeping Ficken over pursuing alternatives? WTF?
Ficken is 1 for 3 on FG’s?
One kickoff out of bounds giving Chargers possession on their 40?
McVay feels forced to call fake punts because he doesn’t trust Ficken?
Some of Ficken’s PAT’s have looked like screwballs in a hurricane?
And some favor keeping Ficken over pursuing alternatives? WTF?