Rackers Game Winning Field Goals...

[Duckjake]

am i missing something, or did the duckjake comment make NO sense?

Let me explain. Cardinal fans don't need to "get a life" because there is no better life than one that involves the ARIZONA CARDINALS OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE!!!!

 

[Dr. Jones]

I am sorry, but I cant let this rest. Rackers has missed a FG in 5 out of our 7 games this year. Two of those games were lost by three points or less.

I have been preaching this all year. The apologists will defend.... It was long range... It was a hostile environment..... Whatever.

The dude has lost his "Clutch".


I would guess that there are more than 5 but less than 10 games over the past two years where a Rackers miss has either been responsible for a loss or led us to decisions later in a game that ended up costing us the game.

 

[phillycard]

I am sorry, but I cant let this rest. Rackers has missed a FG in 5 out of our 7 games this year. Two of those games were lost by three points or less.

I swear you beat me to it cardsfanmd. I was going to post about this very same thing. I'm not ready to do a Parcells/Vanderjagt move yet. But I can no longer back Neil. I'm done. Where is the "clutchness"? That being said, I know we'll have to lean on him again at some point this year. And again a chair will probably be thrown at 2627 Caesar Place.

 

[Black Jesus]

the difference between a 80 yard TD pass and a 54 yard field goal, is that I could kick a 55 yarder, not every time by any means, but then again I am not being paid millions... Not taking away the difficulty from Rackers, just your statement, but when we see Nick Folk do it twice in a row as a rookie for the cowboys, I would hope a kicker getting paid millions could do it every once in a while

 

[cardsfanmd]

Millions? I didn't know 4th round picks make that kind of money nowadays.

Besides, how am i personally attacking you? If you can't stop thinking about what our kicker does, you really need to get a life. Plain and simple. The funny thing is you actually BLAME this guy for missing a 55yd FG. That's like blaming a QB for not connecting on a 80yd hail mary attempt with only 1 second on the clock. You gotta make those throws, i know.

Taling negatively about someone is a personal attack genius. You just made my idiot list for this board so in the future please refrain from reading or commenting on my posts or threads.

Oh, and Rackers missing that kick is more along the lines of an "A" student getting a "C" on a test. Yes, that is an average grade and there is nothing wrong with that except that when you have above-average abilities (leg) bigger things are rightfully expected of you.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

the difference between a 80 yard TD pass and a 54 yard field goal, is that I could kick a 55 yarder, not every time by any means, but then again I am not being paid millions... Not taking away the difficulty from Rackers, just your statement, but when we see Nick Folk do it twice in a row as a rookie for the cowboys, I would hope a kicker getting paid millions could do it every once in a while

I'd give you 50 tries to kick a 55 yarder, and I bet that you would fail all 50 tries. I'll give you $500 if you even make one, but you owe me $5 for everyone that you miss. You game?

 

[Pariah]

I could kick a 55 yarder,

You may be able to kick a 55 yarder without an offensive and defensive line in front of you, but I'd be willing to lay out a ton of money that you couldn't do it with those monsters in front of you trying to block it.

 

[SuperSpck]

I'd give you 50 tries to kick a 55 yarder, and I bet that you would fail all 50 tries. I'll give you $500 if you even make one, but you owe me $5 for everyone that you miss. You game?

If he were a professional kicker than the challenge would be a little more fair. All any NFL kicker has to do is kick the ball.

See those uprights? Kick it between them.

See that guy on the other team standing on his goaline? Kick the ball down there.

I mean, that's Rackers job. No one's perfect and no one expects perfection, but the dude is struggling at his work description right now.
If it was easy than anyone could do it.

It's obviously not easy because very few do it well.

... but when your ONLY job is to put foot to pigskin your going to be criticized when you don't do it right. Not fair, I know and I'd still put Rackers on my team under most circumstances.
The reason he's getting flack is because he's spoiled us by being spectacular one season and being average the rest.
We've seen how brightly he can shine and now we don't get why he can't continue it.

Today I like italics. I don't know why.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Millions? I didn't know 4th round picks make that kind of money nowadays.

Besides, how am i personally attacking you? If you can't stop thinking about what our kicker does, you really need to get a life. Plain and simple. The funny thing is you actually BLAME this guy for missing a 55yd FG. That's like blaming a QB for not connecting on a 80yd hail mary attempt with only 1 second on the clock. You gotta make those throws, i know.

He choked and the blame goes on him. He has more than enough leg and his power is always talked about time and time again. So, saying it was too far is an excuse.

That is a kick he has to make.

That being said, the game is over, and it is on to the next game vs. the Bucs. I think there is no need to run the guy out of town for it.

It seems he has a problem with composure, more than he does with the act of kicking the ball.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If he were a professional kicker than the challenge would be a little more fair. All any NFL kicker has to do is kick the ball.

See those uprights? Kick it between them.

See that guy on the other team standing on his goaline? Kick the ball down there.

I mean, that's Rackers job. No one's perfect and no one expects perfection, but the dude is struggling at his work description right now.
If it was easy than anyone could do it.

It's obviously not easy because very few do it well.

... but when your ONLY job is to put foot to pigskin your going to be criticized when you don't do it right. Not fair, I know and I'd still put Rackers on my team under most circumstances.
The reason he's getting flack is because he's spoiled us by being spectacular one season and being average the rest.
We've seen how brightly he can shine and now we don't get why he can't continue it.

Today I like italics. I don't know why.

He claimed to be able to do it, like a professional. I strongly disagree and willing to put money against it.

 

[nashman]

Its not like he missed it badly folks, it happens sometimes. I feel like he should make it and it was very close. If he continues to miss it could become an issue as of now he just needs to practice and get it fixed.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

He choked and the blame goes on him. He has more than enough leg and his power is always talked about time and time again. So, saying it was too far is an excuse.

That is a field he has to make.

That being said, the game is over, and it is on to the next game vs. the Bucs.

We get an extra week to talk about it. Gotta love byes.

 

[joeshmo]

I would hope a kicker getting paid millions could do it every once in a while

What is every once in a while?

You mean like 25% of the time. The average for kicking 55+ yards.
Or do you mean 46% of the time. The average for kicking 50+ yards.

 

[Bobcat]

Misses vs Makes

Misses
Bears game 06
Skins Game 07 Missed XP point put him in the position to have to kick GW

Makes
Seattle Game- would of been tied if missed...

I feel like he has missed other game winners, and has not been so clutch

BRING BACK JACKIE...!!! He was so clutch, remember 1998 games in Nov. and Dec. of that year.

BOBCAT

 

[CardLogic]

What is every once in a while?

You mean like 25% of the time. The average for kicking 55+ yards.
Or do you mean 46% of the time. The average for kicking 50+ yards.

It seems that some people have a hard time grasping these simple facts.

 

[SuperSpck]

He claimed to be able to do it, like a professional. I strongly disagree and willing to put money against it.

My fault, I misinterpreted.


but I still like italics.

 

[Russ Smith]

What is every once in a while?

You mean like 25% of the time. The average for kicking 55+ yards.
Or do you mean 46% of the time. The average for kicking 50+ yards.

What is Rackers career number from 55, and what is it with the game on the line. I'll be really surprised if the first % isn't higher than the second.

I don't know where to get that data or I'd do it myself. I'd bet it's the same from 50 I bet he's got a higher % overall than when the game is on the line.

THat's all I'm saying, when the pressure is on, he's not as good.

 

[CardLogic]

I'd give you 50 tries to kick a 55 yarder, and I bet that you would fail all 50 tries. I'll give you $500 if you even make one, but you owe me $5 for everyone that you miss. You game?

 

[football karma]

He choked and the blame goes on him. He has more than enough leg and his power is always talked about time and time again. So, saying it was too far is an excuse.

That is a kick he has to make.

That being said, the game is over, and it is on to the next game vs. the Bucs. I think there is no need to run the guy out of town for it.

It seems he has a problem with composure, more than he does with the act of kicking the ball.

I guess it comes down to how you define choking.

To me, choking is defined as failing under pressure in what ordinarily would be a high percentage act: missing a 2 foot putt, missing free throws ,etc

I dont care who the kicker is -- a 55 yard field goal is hardly a high percentage act.

 

[Russ Smith]

I guess it comes down to how you define choking.

To me, choking is defined as failing under pressure in what ordinarily would be a high percentage act: missing a 2 foot putt, missing free throws ,etc

I dont care who the kicker is -- a 55 yard field goal is hardly a high percentage act.

I used the word choke several times yesterday which isn't something I normally do. But I still think that way it's additive for me, I've seen him miss clutch kicks before, always left, and they weren't 55 yards either. SO I wasn't at all surprised he again hooked it left.

I hope he proves me wrong the rest of the season.

 

[CardLogic]

What is Rackers career number from 55, and what is it with the game on the line. I'll be really surprised if the first % isn't higher than the second.

I don't know where to get that data or I'd do it myself. I'd bet it's the same from 50 I bet he's got a higher % overall than when the game is on the line.

THat's all I'm saying, when the pressure is on, he's not as good.

Finally someone has framed the discussion intelligently.

I agree Rackers is not as dependable under pressure, and that is the criteria of a great kicker. Rackers is simply a good kicker.

However the follow-up is that there are not too many kickers as dependable in the clutch as Adam Vinatieri. Those that are that caliber are already employed.

So certainly it is in the interest of the Cardinal's player personnel staff to be constantly seeking possible alternatives to their current kicker (and all other positions I might add). It was a great move by Indy to "steal" Vinatieri from NE, and it paid off for the Colts.

However arguing over Racker's worth is simply non-productive. He is what he is, an average kicker reliability-wise with a little better than average leg strength.

Currently, there are only nine kickers this season who have made a field goal as long or longer than Rackers has made (52 yarder) this year.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I'd give you 50 tries to kick a 55 yarder, and I bet that you would fail all 50 tries. I'll give you $500 if you even make one, but you owe me $5 for everyone that you miss. You game?

If you make it 50 for every miss vs. 500 for every make, i'll fly my buddy out there for that bet.He's 44 years old and he hasn't kicked a ball in at least 3 years. I know about 5 years ago he nailed a 57 yarder in a sorry-ass flag football championship game to win it.So, it's not like it's alot to expect Rackers to make at least one GW FG once in awhile. With no rush coming at him, i have no doubt that he'll make at least 10 and that's a $3000 profit .

 

[AZCB34]

What is Rackers career number from 55, and what is it with the game on the line. I'll be really surprised if the first % isn't higher than the second.

I don't know where to get that data or I'd do it myself. I'd bet it's the same from 50 I bet he's got a higher % overall than when the game is on the line.

THat's all I'm saying, when the pressure is on, he's not as good.

Rackers career numbers from 50+ is 52.9% and only one season was he below 50% (2006). If you subtract out a horrid 2006 season from beyond 50 yards, his average jumps up to 63% from beyond 50 yards.

I cannot seem to find a percentage from beyond 55 yards however.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I talked to my buddy who's a season ticket holder for the Bengals,and who i'm going to the Cards game with , and he concurs with what PACardsfan buddy told him. The reason Rackers was let go is because he could never make a meaningful kick.

 

[AZCB34]

A few stats from 2006:

Rackers hit 88.9% of his FGs when the Cards were ahead in the game

He hit 64.7% when the Cards were behind

He hit 50% when the game was tiued...only two attempts