As a result to Monday nights game, the Ravens owner Ozzie Newsome decided to cut Hauschka from the team. "We entered the season knowing that we would have to go through some growing pains with Steve," Newsome said in a statement. "That happens with most new kickers in the NFL. But, for where we are as a team today, we need more consistent production from our kicker. Every one of our players has to step up to a Ravens' level of play and that was not happening for Steve right now." The Ravens had cut their All-Star kicker Matt Stover last season because they wanted only one kicker on the roster and someone younger. Stover now plays for the Colts and is 6 for 6 this season where Hauschka was 9 for 13. Hauschka had also missed another short range field goal that could have been game winning against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
The Ravens have signed former Dallas Cowboys kicker Billy Cundiff. He was 66 for 89 in field goal attempts during the 2002-2005 seasons. Hopefully he can help the Ravens push through their next three weeks as they face difficult opponents including their ex-kicker Stover's new team, the undefeated Indianapolis Colts.
References Cited
Hensley, Jamison and Edward Lee. (2009) "Ravens cut kicker Hauschka." The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 19th, 2009, from http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-steve-hauschka-1117,0,7710459.story
4 comments:
I take it since you seem to be a big Ravens fan, that you did watch the Monday Night Football game? I'm a Miami Dolphins fan myself, so I can't wait to get out of class tonight and then watch them play the Panthers. It's very rare that they play any sports game for a Miami team here in Virginia, so my husband and I get really excited when they do play the games.
In regards to your post, do you think the Ravens made a good decision in cutting their kicker, Stover? It seems to me that had they just followed the saying "Don't fix it unless it's broke," they most likely wouldn't have been in the predicament they're in now with Hauschka. Is there some sort of benefit of only having one kicker? Does that mean they get to pick an additional player up for another position?
Hmmm...Monday nights are usually my homework nights so I definitely was not watching the game. I used to enjoy watching football, especially the Chicago Bears, but time doesn't allow me to enjoy TV these days.
As for the missed field goal by Hauschka, well, I'm sure the Viking fans such as my boyfriend were extremely happy for that miss.
I'm glad you put the wins-loses in the blog. It helps me to see how well the teams are playing this year. This also adds good detail to your point.
I was actually going to go back and updatethis blog with my own view on this situation. I was upset that the Ravens got rid of Stover. Yes he was an older player but he was still a great kicker and an asset to the team. I understand Harbaugh's logic though in wanting a new, fresh kicker and one that would only take up one roster spot since he can kick return as well. The advantage to that is they can use the extra spot for someone else. Each team is limited to an 80-man roster. Its situations like this where you really notice that football is a business. However, if we had kept Stover I believe we would definitely be better than our 5-4 record.
I totally agree the game this weekend was a complete joke. I'm not a Raven fan but that worthless kicker had it coming. He has missed to many field goals this year, the most memorable one was the kick he missed agaginst the Vikings. Ozzie Newsome one of the greatest tight end to ever play the game- is turning out to be a great General Manager also.
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