Kicker?

[cardncubfan]

Prater has made a bunch of game winning field goals for us. Just ones I can remember.

In '21 he kicked game tying and game winning FG's against the Cowboys. Last year against the Falcons. The truth is these kind of kicks are rare, this Cards team just happens to be in a place when they are bad enough to be behind all game but good enough to come back and pinch a win. He's also one of the best distance kickers in the game.

I don't really care, it's a kicker, all I'm saying is keep both for now as it's unlikely that Ryland has gone from worst kicker in the league to one of the best in a single season.

Odds are Prater retires after this season and someone with a career like Prater deserves to go out on their own terms.

Deserve ain't got nothin to do with it...

 

[BirdGangThing]

Prater has made a bunch of game winning field goals for us. Just ones I can remember.

In '21 he kicked game tying and game winning FG's against the Cowboys. Last year against the Falcons. The truth is these kind of kicks are rare, this Cards team just happens to be in a place when they are bad enough to be behind all game but good enough to come back and pinch a win. He's also one of the best distance kickers in the game.

I don't really care, it's a kicker, all I'm saying is keep both for now as it's unlikely that Ryland has gone from worst kicker in the league to one of the best in a single season.

Odds are Prater retires after this season and someone with a career like Prater deserves to go out on their own terms.

ryland has already tied the cardinals most game winning field goals for a season with 9 games to go - prater is too old - and who cares about last year

 

[Cheesebeef]

Prater has made a bunch of game winning field goals for us. Just ones I can remember.

In '21 he kicked game tying and game winning FG's against the Cowboys.

What in the world are you talking about? We got out to a big lead and we’re up 25-14 late in the fourth before a late TD by the Cowboys made the score final at 25-22.

Last year against the Falcons.

Whoopy… a whopping 23 yarder!

The truth is these kind of kicks are rare, this Cards team just happens to be in a place when they are bad enough to be behind all game but good enough to come back and pinch a win.

The truth is when you’re an on the edge squad, you desperately need a clutch kicker if you want to make the playoffs because the margin for error is so thin and the game could come down to that kick.

He's also one of the best distance kickers in the game.

I don't really care, it's a kicker, all I'm saying is keep both for now as it's unlikely that Ryland has gone from worst kicker in the league to one of the best in a single season.

No one said anything about him being one of the best. But right now, he’s clutch, has boomed a 57 yarder showing range and is much younger moving forward.

Odds are Prater retires after this season and someone with a career like Prater deserves to go out on their own terms.

A kicker who’s only been here three years doesn’t “deserve” anything, IMO. Especially when there’s a possible replacement on deck, at a position this team has regularly seen choke through the years… including Prater last year.

 

[MadCardDisease]

A kicker who’s only been here three years doesn’t “deserve” anything, IMO. Especially when there’s a possible replacement on deck, at a position this team has regularly seen choke through the years… including Prater last year.

Yep.

As much as I like Prater he is 40 years old and won't play forever. His contract runs out this year so it seems like the perfect time to move on and get younger.

 

[602 Native]

You gotta love that the dudes name is Chad and is kicking clutch game winners.

Lets hope he continues this hot streak and we can retire Pater who has been awesome for us but is getting old.

 

[Oklahoma Card]

The truth is when you’re an on the edge squad, you desperately need a clutch kicker if you want to make the playoffs because the margin for error is so thin and the game could come down to that kick.

Didn't the Browns miss out on the playoffs a few seasons ago because of the kicker? Might have been the double-doink.

 

[JohnnyCakes]

Prater has made a bunch of game winning field goals for us. Just ones I can remember.

In '21 he kicked game tying and game winning FG's against the Cowboys. Last year against the Falcons. The truth is these kind of kicks are rare, this Cards team just happens to be in a place when they are bad enough to be behind all game but good enough to come back and pinch a win. He's also one of the best distance kickers in the game.

I don't really care, it's a kicker, all I'm saying is keep both for now as it's unlikely that Ryland has gone from worst kicker in the league to one of the best in a single season.

Odds are Prater retires after this season and someone with a career like Prater deserves to go out on their own terms.

Neil Rackers has entered the chat

 

[BritCard]

I agree with BritCard, Ryland lost the kicking job in camp this year to Slye who wasn't exactly a top kicker in 2023. Ryland may just be on a hot streak career year type of situation and then may revert back to the 64% kicker. I highly doubt the Patriots decided to keep Slye over Ryland just because he stunk in 2023 if he was kicking lights out in camp this year especially after using a 4th round pick on him.

It was a competition between the worst two kickers in 2023 and he lost...

He may well have turned it around, he's played well for sure, but it's been 4 games. That's not long enough to move off a proven asset.

 

[BritCard]

Ok let me pose this question. Is Prater going to be around for a rebuild? At 40 years old and costing 4 mil a year is it reasonable to keep him on a rebuilding team?

Ok I guess that was two questions.

No, Prater will be gone at the end of the year. I'm just suggesting we keep him around until then.

1, Because he earned ending his career on his own terms
2, Because Ryland has only had 4 games, it's early days.
3, Because cutting him only saves about $500k

 

[speedy]

Also keep in mind that Prater's last 2 year deal average $3,750,000 per year, so signing Ryland will definitely be a cap savings for next year.

Great point!!! We can sign a couple UDFAs with that space.

 

[602 Native]

I agree with BritCard, Ryland lost the kicking job in camp this year to Slye who wasn't exactly a top kicker in 2023. Ryland may just be on a hot streak career year type of situation and then may revert back to the 64% kicker. I highly doubt the Patriots decided to keep Slye over Ryland just because he stunk in 2023 if he was kicking lights out in camp this year especially after using a 4th round pick on him.

Very true but as you also know kickers can mature and become great after being cut. Prater falls into that bucket as well.

Keep both until Ryland proves himself long term this season.

 

[Ronin]

Howard Balzer

@HBalzer721
·
43m

Most times when teams sign players from the practice squad to the roster, their contract is just for the season being played. However, K Chad Ryland is also under contract for 2025 for minimum salary of $1.03 million.