Detroit Lions: Five Important Questions as Training Camp Begins
By Zac Snyder
Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin (6) holds the ball as kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a field goal during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Detroit won 16-14. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Is the kicker position really settled?
Jason Hanson was as dependable as they come in his more than two decades as the Lions’ kicker. However, he may not have been as appreciated as he should have been until we saw what life was like in the post-Hanson era.
David Akers wasn’t a good stop-gap and drafting Nate Freese didn’t lead to a long-term answer. Alex Henery proved to not be the answer during his two games last year but the Lions appear settled in with Matt Prater.
Prater was shaky at the start of his time with the Lions but appeared to return to form after missing the start of the season with the Denver Broncos because of suspension. He is a proven NFL kicker and will be 31-years old during the 2015 season so there should be plenty of life left in that leg.
Touchdowns are always preferable to field goals, but when a field goal needs to be attempted, it needs to be made with regularity. We saw how horrible it is to watch a team without a functional kicking game. Those days need to be over and done with.
Next: Lions predictions from the opposing view