Shayne Graham is out there. Kris Brown is currently "retired." I'm sure there is Anderson "brother" available somewhere.
Available? This clip claims it is so: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ts6ZrUitpSI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
One of the Gramatica brothers?!?!? Yeah, no. This is NOT the time to cut the young man. There are a few more chances for him to redeem himself.
The Texans can't let the fact that they used a fifth rounder on Bullock cost them a game by holding onto him for too long. And at this rate he is absolutely going to cost them a game at some point. I'd like to see them bring in Rugland, the Lions tried to keep him using a loophole in NFL rules but were unsuccessful. And if the Texans had to drop Bullock, is anyone really worried about another team signing him with the way he has kicked so far? It seems like they could very easily get him back later on if they decided to.
I'm not even worried about another team signing him if he goes on to become an elite kicker. Kickers are easily replaceable. Waste another 5th rounder on another top collegiate kicker if need be. There's no reason to worry about anything other than your current season when it comes to kickers. And that applies even more for contenders like us.
Bullock signed a 4-year, $2,203,108 contract with a $178,108 signing bonus. Only signing bonuses are guaranteed in the NFL (per CBA Rules). In Bullocks's case, his $178k signing bonus is prorated over his 4-year contract (~$44,527 per season). His cap hit last season (first year) was $434,527, which included his base salary + prorated signing bonus. His cap hit this year (for the entire season) is $449,527. [source] If the Texans release him during this season, depending on the week (Bullock makes just under $24k per game), their cap this year would be hit for the remainder of his prorated signing bonus (i.e. guaranteed salary) which is ~ $133.581. That's it. The $133,581 is known as 'dead money' and it is the ONLY figure that counts against the 2013 overall cap. Even though Bullock signed a 4-year deal, CBA rules accelerate his remaining guaranteed salary (i.e. signing bonus), and this figure ($133,581) counts against this year's cap. The team cap would not be affected by Bullock's contract the following years. [source] To put this into perspective, the NFL has set the 2013 base line cap at $123MM per team. The Texans also have the option to release Bullock after June 1, 2014, and spread out his dead money over the 2014 & 2015 seasons. That's a $44,527 cap hit over those years. [source] In short, Bob McNair has ZERO problems firing Bullock next week should he perform miserably again. Rick Smith will advise McNair that Bullock's cap hit isn't much of a casuality, and shouldn't deter them from moving in a different direction. The Texans are a playoff team with Super Bowl aspirations; as such, they should have the upmost confidence in their kicking game.
1 out of 5 is TERRIBLE for an NFL kicker. Even from long range. Replace him before he has his 3rd bad game in 3 games.
Justin Tucker. Oh wait, Kubiak wanted to draft an Aggie. Brilliant decision on his part to select Bullock over Walsh and Tucker.
I think he's been put in a bad spot bc all his FG attempts are long rangers...thats not an easy way to start off your career. Im sure he'd prefer some 30 yarders to get into the groove. Having said that, his next kick will determine his fate. His future as a Texan will ride on the very next one, regardless of if it is a 35 yarder or 50 yarder. If he misses, he is done. No pressure.
Not a real inspiring list. Brett Baer Casey Barth Brandon Bogotay Maikon Bonani David Buehler Derek Dimke Chris Koepplin Garrett Lindholm Morgan Lineberry Rhys Lloyd Brett Maher Olindo Mare Brandon McManus Justin Medlock Zach Ramirez Dave Rayner David Ruffer Havard Rugland Jeremy Shelley Austin Signor Giorgio Tavecchio Carson Wiggs
I don't remember seeing all the posts on draft day calling for the drafting of a kicker other than Bullock.
I don't remember seeing all the posts on draft day calling for Bullock, either. I doubt many would have advocated drafting a kicker in the 5th round, especially if that were to come with being reluctant to quit letting him kick despite his performance.
