Random Thoughts On Gano's GW FG

[Devil Doc]

If you guys seen how he kicked in the pro bowl games, you will know how good he is. 

[jfra78]

20 minutes ago, CarolinaSunday said:

I'm not entirely convinced that Rivera thought Gano would make it. I have to believe that something got fugged majorly up in those last couple of play calls and that going for the 63 yard field goal ended up being their only choice. I don't think they were playing for a 63 yard field goal intentionally. 

Thats just it.  It wasnt the only option, many teams try the hail mary in that circumstance.  Great kick by Gano.

[panthers55]

11 minutes ago, BionicBunny said:

He also missed a 40 something field goal in SB50

Talib was 3 yards offsides on that field goal attempt and it wasn't called. He should have had that one back.

[JARROD]

You could do a slow mo of the kick and que the Natural soundtrack,..

Add the football coming apart and travelling out of the stadium,..

[MHS831]

The running play before the FG was an interesting call.  I think he wanted to  get 4-5 yards closer, maybe gash one.  When we were stuffed, I thought, "Game over." I was not mad at the call--too much--I understood what they were thinking--a pass play with a holding call or a sack or an interception would have ended the game--Cam had 2 picks already and was not reading the defense well.  I get the run with a kicker like Gano--we just needed about 5 yards....

 

[Proudiddy]

2 hours ago, panthers55 said:

That is what folks are missing in the discussion. If you miss it, the other team has to go 15 yards and they are in field goal position themselves. So you dont just kick it at any time in a game, you do it when you have to have the points like today.

 

2 hours ago, bigpoppa said:

You try that kick at the end of the half or game. Missing a 63 yard field goal when there is time on the clock gives it to the other team on your side of the 50

Yeah, those are the instances I'm referring to.  For some reason, i want to say the scenario has come up multiple times against New Orleans at the end of a first half and we elected to punt or run the clock out.  At least those are the vague instances that stand out.

And IIRC, it's been reported he regularly nails 67 yarders in TC and practice.  I guess it really comes down to minimizing risk...  Gano told PFT today that his first thought was a similar kick he took last year and missed because he drove the ball too low, so his first priority was to make sure to get it over the line.

[Chaos]

It was always said that Gano was automatic under 50, but terrible over 50.  We can amend this to say he's cash money 60+

[panthers55]

53 minutes ago, Proudiddy said:

 

Yeah, those are the instances I'm referring to.  For some reason, i want to say the scenario has come up multiple times against New Orleans at the end of a first half and we elected to punt or run the clock out.  At least those are the vague instances that stand out.

And IIRC, it's been reported he regularly nails 67 yarders in TC and practice.  I guess it really comes down to minimizing risk...  Gano told PFT today that his first thought was a similar kick he took last year and missed because he drove the ball too low, so his first priority was to make sure to get it over the line.

Last year when Rivera elected not to let him kick the field goal in the New Orleans game I heard he went to the spot after halftime and kicked it through to show Rivera he could do it. Maybe that is why Rivera let him kick it today.

[Sevy87]

3 hours ago, panthers55 said:

I remember when lots of huddlers we're bitching about the money we gave Gano and how folks wanted to dump him for Butkur. I kept saying he was a great kicker and worth the money. Kicks like today are the reason why he was a probowler and worth the contract. Now everyone knows what I have been saying.

Preach! Everyone want Gano head on a spike, but since he landed in Carolina he’s been a top 10 kicker & most years top 5. Such a weapon to have. Special team looking solid. 

[PleaseCutStewart]

14 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

Last year when Rivera elected not to let him kick the field goal in the New Orleans game I heard he went to the spot after halftime and kicked it through to show Rivera he could do it. Maybe that is why Rivera let him kick it today.

No, RR just fell asleep on the sidelines and Gano was able to sneak on the field and kick it...

[Pejorative Miscreant]

OK

[cardiackat88.]

3 hours ago, bigpoppa said:

You try that kick at the end of the half or game. Missing a 63 yard field goal when there is time on the clock gives it to the other team on your side of the 50

This exactly!

If there is any “but but” rebuttals, just imagine a 63 yard FG attempt on the opening drive instead of punting it.

[MillionDollarCam]

I think Rivera has done a remarkable job of setting Graham up for success.

In 2016 Gano had the second worst year of his career and many thought he was teetering on being out of the league completely come the offseason. The guys’ confidence was shot and we’ve already seen this year how confidence affects kickers (Crosby, Bailey, etc.). Missed kicks can easily have a stream roll affect and for some kickers they find themselves totally out of the league because of it (i.e. Blair Walsh going from 92% to 72%). Once you get past the guys like Vinatieri, Gostkowski, Zuerlein, Bryant, Tucker, and Gano it’s mostly just a bunch of guys who have less than five years total with their current team because of how hard it is to be a consistent kicker.

There is no argument that Gano has the strongest leg and that his leg is also a huge weapon for the Panthers (which we saw today).

So.. if Rivera trots Graham out there in 2017 and has him kicking and missing 60 yarders then who’s to say that Graham’s confidence doesn’t remain shot and the guy gets cut in the offseason. Instead Rivera set him up for success and seemed to calculate when to send Graham out, sending him out to kick only once from 50+ yards last year. However, Graham saw the ball go through the uprights 29 out of 30 times last year and his confidence seems to have never been higher. His success from last year looks to have carried over to this year and he looks like a much more confident kicker compared to his 2016 self.

Most would argue that if you can’t confidently send your kicker out to kick then why is he on the roster. I’d argue that there are no more than two or three guys who have the range and accuracy to hit the kick Gano did today (Zuerline and Tucker). The guys’ leg is a weapon and if his confidence is high and he’s on then he’s a game changer.

[Trev_GFC]

He’s come across to me as hugely consistent, particularly when you look on redzone and see a missed kick every 20 mins or so. 34 or so in a row at home without fail. For failed attempts we’re scratching our heads beyond 2 or 3 in the last few years including post-season.