Is Rookie Kicker, Nate Freese on his Last Leg in Detroit?
Aug 28, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) holds the ball while kicker Nate Freese (3) makes a field goal during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Having points slip away is brutally painful. In fact, when a team leaves points on the field whether it be a turnover in the redzone, or perhaps a missed field goal, it makes it nearly impossible for that team to win in today’s NFL.
The Detroit Lions have experienced this painful undertaking first hand on multiple occasions already in 2014. Rookie kicker, Nate Freese has gone a dismal 2-5 with a long of 28 yards. Not including blocked kicks, that matches the number of misses from David Akers all of last season.
For those of you out there interested in these kinds of things. Jason Hanson started his career 3-for-6 kicking field goals.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 15, 2014
Despite his struggles, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is sticking with his seventh-round pick out of Boston College — at least for now.
"“At this point in time, he is our guy,” Caldwell said before Wednesday’s practice. “I think (he’s) a young guy who has potential. But just like anything else in our business, it’s performance business. And we all certainly understand that thing, and he understands it as well.”"
Coach Caldwell’s support of Freese may or may not have some basis on the fact that the team used a draft pick on him in the 2014 NFL Draft.
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During training camp and preseason, Freese battled Giorgio Tavecchio for the kicker position on the Lions regular season roster. It appeared to me that Tavecchio even won that battle with Freese’s missed extra point in the second preseason game vs. the Oakland Raiders.
The Lions however went on to waive Tavecchio and place their faith in Freese with hopes that he would develop into someone they could rely on post Jason Hanson.
This weeks division match-up with the Packers could be Freese’s last chance however, especially if he struggles indoors. The great Hanson himself was in Detroit this week to offer support to Freese, but as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports, the Lions have their bases covered if they have to explore other options.
Freese on Hanson stopping by practice Friday: "He’s knowledgeable about the game. It’s awesome having him around.”
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 19, 2014
Lions kicking around idea of new kicker, worked out Rob Bironas, Alex Henery, and Garrett Hartley, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2014
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With that in mind, is there still a chance for Freese to succeed? Absolutly, there is a chance that Freese could still be a good kicker in the NFL, seeing that he is only a rookie. However, none of that changes the fact that the Lions may need to go out and sign another kicker in case Freese continues to perform badly.
What is the time table if he continues to struggle? How long can the Lions wait to make a move?