http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5058753 Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers reached agreement Monday night with the Houston Texans on a two-year, $4.1 million contract, according to a league source. AFC South blog Kuharsky ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky writes about all things AFC South in his division blog. • Blog network: NFL Nation The contract contains just $350,000 in guarantees, according to a source. The New York Jets had scheduled a visit with Rackers on Tuesday, but the Texans intercepted him along the way and struck a deal. The Texans plan to bring Rackers and Kris Brown to training camp this summer as the two kickers stage an open battle for the job. The 33-year-old Brown scored 106 points last season, but he missed field goals that could have forced overtimes in some key Houston losses. He also had field-goal attempts from 35, 28 and 26 yards blocked. Houston finished a franchise-best 9-7 in 2009.
Don't forget he won the NFL's most handsome player contest a couple years ago. Those baby blues don't lie.
He shanked a couple in the playoffs (could have won the game vs GB at the end of regulation), but he's been money in the regular season. 41-45 the last 2 seasons. Also, Kris Brown just crapped his pants. It's one thing to just bring in another kicker to light a fire under the one already on the roster. It's another thing to bring in a guy who's been one of the better kickers in the league the past few seasons.
Brown was 10-19 outside of 30 yards...I'll go ahead and say that this signing is a very welcomed upgrade.
Personally, I have a wait-and-see attitude with all kickers. It's simply so unpredictable with 90% of them. Not surprising given the low # of opportunities(more variation when dealing with small sample sizes) and high pressure(mental aspect). Kris Brown wasn't a bad kicker until last year. And it was clear that he just lost his confidence rather than his legs giving out. Kicking IMO is the most annoying part of football. It's so unpredicatable yet plays a huge part in winning and losing. And unlike the rest of the game, it's not a "team" play so much as it's 95% on the kicker to pull off the play correctly. My least favorite part of the game.
Great news. I love the fact that he was scheduled to meet with the Jets and we took him before they had a chance.
Its a nice sign, seems like a good kicker (at least better than K. Brown) btw Arizona signed Jay Feely some weeks ago.
This news should be a big slap to the face for Chris Brown. He does deserve it, after all the pain he caused. :grin:
This is good. Competition is good. I believe in you, Kris. I agree with the second paragraph in your post but... look at how you opened this post... don't you think playoffs are more important than regular season? I mean, let's say some dude is PERFECT during the season... gets us a high seed in the playoffs... but some other team's defense holds our offense and this dude comes in to kick the potential game winner... and doesn't make the field goal in... doesn't it make him a BAD kicker? Chris Brown is the running back. Kris Brown is the kicker.
Dude was good 2 years ago in their super bowl run. Last year versus GB he wasnt good but I woundnt let that game label him.
In 2008 Rackers averaged 89.3%, and in 2009 94.1% on field goals. After seeing Kris Brown only make 65.6% this will be a welcome change.
Is this a joke? I don't care how Kris Brown performs in training camp, I want Rackers to be the man after what happened last season.
Why do you think Rackers got the boot from ARZ? He was their K. Brown. The best kicker will get the job.
Rackers problems last year were much more isolated compared to the constant troubles that Kris Brown had. You are right ... The best kicker will get the job and hands down that is Rackers
I just remember this youtube on rackers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZghatdM8mo I know these are fake but it def left an impression on me.
