Matt, I’m a fellow SU alum (‘87 & ‘98), love your podcast, but have to disagree on your kicker take. Brad & Dan are all about 3-phase football; no way they are purposely tying one leg behind their backs.
Upgrading to Bates will make the Lions more unpredictable. Last year teams knew Campbell was going for it if they weren't stopped on 3rd down. Adding a leg like Bates would give versatility to their offensive strategy.
I think the Lions would be just as aggressive in going for it as they currently are if they had a great kicker. I don't necessarily think it's because they have bad kickers just that it's a strategy that's applies a lot of pressure to teams and allows Detroit to be more of a ball possession team which covers their defense a bit.. it's good
The Lions will be playing a much tougher schedule this season, they will need all the weapons they can get. They have to sign a reliable kicker period.
IMHO, I believe strongly that DC, as well as every other tactician, would welcome the addition of another weapon to his offense. In addition, having the ability to score at will from 60+ yards out will likely influence thoughts n behaviors of opposing teams- and DC will leverage that additional concern to the Lion's advantage regularly.
Exactly, if you have a kicker that can boom from from 60+ regularly then that changes the Lions whole offense, they would become an automatic 4 down offense from 50 yards in.
No, I don't think it would hamper Dan Cambell at all but he may go for it on 4th just a little less but having a good kicker is not going to make Dan any less aggressive. They've even talked about getting more competition in the kicking room. It just means might kick a field goal on 4th and 7 on the 40 line we did last year.
They will never improve the kicking game to what people want them to have a guy that can kick 60 to 65 yd field goals if needed if they make that change I will be stunned it's been 4 years now and they have not changed their identity yet
I would like to use your point to contradict. I feel like adding a Bates strengthens their ability to go for it on 4th. You then create pressure on opposing coaches to respect the field goal ability. Would open doors for trick plays or aggressive calls to be more successful. Teams knew our kicking game was sub par so they knew we'd go for it on 4th as often as we did. A great kicking game will keep teams honest and worst case, we can trust in those guaranteed points when we need them. I think it's nothing but pros by grabbing this guy!
A couple points here A) I think with the new math kickers are less "valuable" B) Having a bad kicker does give them an excuse to gamble (but I don't think Campbell really cares about excuses C) Bottom line is you should want a good kicker for end of game scenarios. I was defending Campbell for going for it against SF because of the kicker's bad percentages from 40+ yards. Just get a good kicker and then you don't have to overthink it.
There's a difference between a security blanket and an insurance policy. There is no reason not to have a great kicker. We had Jason Hanson for years; he was amazing. I'm not worried about anyone "cramping Campbell's style". Additionally, it adds a dimension to the game for opposing defenses. IF they have Bates who can kick 50-60 yarders routinely, it makes running a fake FG that much more effective because you will keep the defense guessing as to what you will actually do. I don't see a downside here.
I dont think our kickers lost us any games last year. What is the problem with having a kicker that can make one if you want to? Having options is good
If we take a bad sack on 3rd down and are looking at 4th and 18 from the 50, we would have an option that we didn't last year. I still think Campbell makes all the other calls the same.
Would love to be on the pod. A lion fan moved and trapped in Ohio here. Ahh do not agree with the take on the kicker. I think that Brad realizes the value in kicking, but just is following his model of trying to find value. Dan is always looking for matchups and weapons. I think there were times he would have kicked if he felt comfortable. He put a hurt seibert out there to try and beat the Viking years ago.
The reason why the Lions don't care if they have an excellent kicker because they have moved into a different direction of trying almost every fourth down possible and the only time that they're going to relinquish at 4th down is if they're in a close area say 30 yds., or closer. Then they will kick the field goal. They no longer need anybody that can kick 65 yd field goals because if it mattered to them they would have already have signed the guy from the Panthers. The Lions are going to be the new Innovative team that tries it literally every single fourth down. It will not change.
I don’t think it make’s any sense to add a high caliber kicker, why not add someone that can hit from deep it’s more like security blanket, just cause you have them doesn’t mean you have to use them
No part of going for it on 4th down was we were not good against the pass and didn't trust our defense that is fixed, we also didn't trust our kicker on 45+ on grass zero makes in 4 years that will be fixed
All this talk about all phases of the game from DC and every Lion. Field goals are a phase of the game man. You can’t tell me our record over the past three years would not have been better with Prater still a Lion. It’s infuriating and it could cost this team a playoff game or even a Superbowl.
If you got a kicker that can kick 60 yd field goals consistently they would be stupid to go for 1st downs on the opponent 45 yd line when your 4th down percentage was only 51.2 % successful...and if you fail your giving the other team half the field to work with
Not really given Brad's track record in the draft and the coaches track record getting guys ready to play. Arnold & Rakestraw were 2 of the best CB's in the SEC.... I think we're good 👍
Matt, I’m a fellow SU alum (‘87 & ‘98), love your podcast, but have to disagree on your kicker take. Brad & Dan are all about 3-phase football; no way they are purposely tying one leg behind their backs.
1 of 3 legs?
Okay, yeah, that checks out.
You're over-thinking it Matt. If the kicker can make it and Campbell wants to kick it, that's a good thing.
Upgrading to Bates will make the Lions more unpredictable. Last year teams knew Campbell was going for it if they weren't stopped on 3rd down. Adding a leg like Bates would give versatility to their offensive strategy.
I think the Lions would be just as aggressive in going for it as they currently are if they had a great kicker. I don't necessarily think it's because they have bad kickers just that it's a strategy that's applies a lot of pressure to teams and allows Detroit to be more of a ball possession team which covers their defense a bit.. it's good
The Lions will be playing a much tougher schedule this season, they will need all the weapons they can get. They have to sign a reliable kicker period.
IMHO, I believe strongly that DC, as well as every other tactician, would welcome the addition of another weapon to his offense. In addition, having the ability to score at will from 60+ yards out will likely influence thoughts n behaviors of opposing teams- and DC will leverage that additional concern to the Lion's advantage regularly.
Exactly, if you have a kicker that can boom from from 60+ regularly then that changes the Lions whole offense, they would become an automatic 4 down offense from 50 yards in.
It is very simple. Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes want the best players they can get at every position. That includes the kicker too.
No, I don't think it would hamper Dan Cambell at all but he may go for it on 4th just a little less but having a good kicker is not going to make Dan any less aggressive. They've even talked about getting more competition in the kicking room. It just means might kick a field goal on 4th and 7 on the 40 line we did last year.
I like the aggressiveness of the Lions on offense. But Matt, they have to improve their kicking game to make the big field goals when called upon.
They will never improve the kicking game to what people want them to have a guy that can kick 60 to 65 yd field goals if needed if they make that change I will be stunned it's been 4 years now and they have not changed their identity yet
I would like to use your point to contradict. I feel like adding a Bates strengthens their ability to go for it on 4th. You then create pressure on opposing coaches to respect the field goal ability. Would open doors for trick plays or aggressive calls to be more successful. Teams knew our kicking game was sub par so they knew we'd go for it on 4th as often as we did. A great kicking game will keep teams honest and worst case, we can trust in those guaranteed points when we need them. I think it's nothing but pros by grabbing this guy!
They have one of the best punters in the league. I don’t think it matters who they have at kicker. Dan Campbell is a gambler at heart.
A couple points here A) I think with the new math kickers are less "valuable" B) Having a bad kicker does give them an excuse to gamble (but I don't think Campbell really cares about excuses C) Bottom line is you should want a good kicker for end of game scenarios. I was defending Campbell for going for it against SF because of the kicker's bad percentages from 40+ yards. Just get a good kicker and then you don't have to overthink it.
Adding a kicker like Bates makes fake field goals a dynamic on special teams
There's a difference between a security blanket and an insurance policy. There is no reason not to have a great kicker. We had Jason Hanson for years; he was amazing. I'm not worried about anyone "cramping Campbell's style". Additionally, it adds a dimension to the game for opposing defenses. IF they have Bates who can kick 50-60 yarders routinely, it makes running a fake FG that much more effective because you will keep the defense guessing as to what you will actually do. I don't see a downside here.
I dont think our kickers lost us any games last year. What is the problem with having a kicker that can make one if you want to? Having options is good
If we take a bad sack on 3rd down and are looking at 4th and 18 from the 50, we would have an option that we didn't last year. I still think Campbell makes all the other calls the same.
Would love to be on the pod. A lion fan moved and trapped in Ohio here. Ahh do not agree with the take on the kicker. I think that Brad realizes the value in kicking, but just is following his model of trying to find value. Dan is always looking for matchups and weapons. I think there were times he would have kicked if he felt comfortable. He put a hurt seibert out there to try and beat the Viking years ago.
The reason why the Lions don't care if they have an excellent kicker because they have moved into a different direction of trying almost every fourth down possible and the only time that they're going to relinquish at 4th down is if they're in a close area say 30 yds., or closer. Then they will kick the field goal. They no longer need anybody that can kick 65 yd field goals because if it mattered to them they would have already have signed the guy from the Panthers. The Lions are going to be the new Innovative team that tries it literally every single fourth down. It will not change.
I love Dan..but how many games did he lose us by going on 4th downs and failing to convert instead of just punting or trying for a field goal instead
Brad and Dan say they want weapons. A great kicker would be just that. Have him when you need him and cheaper than weapons at other positions.
I don’t think it make’s any sense to add a high caliber kicker, why not add someone that can hit from deep it’s more like security blanket, just cause you have them doesn’t mean you have to use them
No part of going for it on 4th down was we were not good against the pass and didn't trust our defense that is fixed, we also didn't trust our kicker on 45+ on grass zero makes in 4 years that will be fixed
All this talk about all phases of the game from DC and every Lion. Field goals are a phase of the game man. You can’t tell me our record over the past three years would not have been better with Prater still a Lion. It’s infuriating and it could cost this team a playoff game or even a Superbowl.
If you got a kicker that can kick 60 yd field goals consistently they would be stupid to go for 1st downs on the opponent 45 yd line when your 4th down percentage was only 51.2 % successful...and if you fail your giving the other team half the field to work with
Bad take. Once it’s 4th and 10 with 3 seconds left in a tie game or down 3 on a 50+ yard field goal and Badgley misses, you’d be pissed
They been going for 4th downs so frequently because they had no faith in the kicking game or the defense getting a stop
Starting two rookie CB and thinking they will be immediately great is a stretch.
Not really given Brad's track record in the draft and the coaches track record getting guys ready to play.
Arnold & Rakestraw were 2 of the best CB's in the SEC.... I think we're good 👍
Absolutely not. He can still be aggressive depending on feild position.
ask Bates if he wants to kick for the Lions
That’s the most moronic take of all time. As if the lions would not sign a kicker because the coach wants to go for it on 4th down.
Aj brown is highest paid wr
now your crazy
Try advertising a phone company and maybe get a new phone 🤔
One of the dumbest Lions takes ever.
Bad take
This is the stupidest take I've heard in a while
If the Lions are this stupid, then y’all fans deserve the SOL Lions that you get, and Dan and Brad both needs to be kicked out of town.