Kasay far from done.

[Cat'sGrowl]

I respect the hell out of Kasay, but I think field position is more important than having a super accurate FG kicker inside of 40 yards. Of course, if you can keep 2 kickers, you get the best of both worlds.

The difference is, is that Kasay is still reliable from 50+ range.

There's not a whole lot of kickers who kick from that range consistently.

I think we've kind of taken the kicker position for granted here in Carolina simply because we've had a great kicker for our entire history. Nobody here knows what it's like to not be able to get the job done because you know your kicker might actually miss from 53.

And to the poster above who said "Kasay was never held accountable for the botched kickoff in the Super Bowl"

Thats gotta be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

What do you want us to do? Spank him?

Sorry John, bend over, this ones for '03...

As it's been said, Kasay has better numbers than Stenerud, and the only other kicker in the league today who has a chance at going in, Vinatieri.

I think the guy has earned the right to not have his bear bottom spanked because of one mistake, especially when he was a HUGE reason we were even in the Super Bowl to begin with.

[pantherfan49]

The difference is, is that Kasay is still reliable from 50+ range.

He is 2/7 from 50+ in the past two seasons.

[Wither]

John Kasay has not been able to reach the endzone on kickoffs for about 4 years now.

Although he has better career numbers than the only kicker in the Hall of Fame, Jan Stenerud, he's never been held accountable for the kickoff that cost Carolina the Super Bowl. Of course, there's no telling how New England would have handled starting at their own 20 versus their own 45... I'm just sayin'.

Lloyd averaged 66.7 yards per kickoff last season- which translates to every kickoff returner starting 2 yards deep in the end zone. Of course, 29.1% of his kickoffs were touchbacks and were never returned. Special teams averaged giving up 24.8 yards per return- which means opposing teams basically started at their own 23 yard line with Lloyd kicking off.

The last time Kasay did any kickoff duties was 2007 and looking at his career kickoff numbers, he's never been able to reach the end zone on average. 2007 was his last full season of kickoffs and he averaged 60.5 yards, which means the opposing teams were catching the ball at the 5. 2006 and 2005 were in the 63-yard range and 2004 was below 60.

Couple these with the fact Carolina's special teams have never been a very good kickoff coverage team, Lloyd was at least 6 yards longer than Kasay and we can only hope Baker or someone else does the kickoff duties for the sake of field position.

For those of you who believe John Kasay not only walks on water, but also creates the water he walks on, I apologize for having blasphemed in this post. Sorry, but if it were up to me I'd give him a new jersey that said "Jurassic" across the back.

So... what you are saying is he sucks at kickoffs. We got it. The point is he can still do FG's well.

[The Saltman]

I saw him kicking 55 yarders easily this TC. Who will be doing the kickoffs for us this year?

So... what you are saying is he sucks at kickoffs. We got it. The point is he can still do FG's well.

that isnt exactly what the OP started the thread about.

[Wither]

that isnt exactly what the OP started the thread about.

Did you even read what I quoted?

For those of you who believe John Kasay not only walks on water, but also creates the water he walks on, I apologize for having blasphemed in this post. Sorry, but if it were up to me I'd give him a new jersey that said "Jurassic" across the back.

I felt the guy was implying Kasay wasn't worth a damn so I told him why he was.

[The Saltman]

Did you even read what I quoted?

no...I can't read...

[Wither]

no...I can't read...

Don't worry; I can't either. I have special software that reads everything out loud to me.

When it reads your stuff it sounds like a retarded kid, though.

[The Saltman]

When it reads your stuff it sounds like a retarded kid, though.

touche...but if it is any consolation when it reads your stuff I hear a man sounding like smitty. I usually cower under my desk.

[Wither]

touche...but if it is any consolation when it reads your stuff I hear a man sounding like smitty. I usually cower under my desk.

If only. I would pay to have anything in common with Smitty. Speaking of which, anyone know what kind of toothpaste he uses?

Interestingly, when it reads nc_biscuit's posts all I hear is sexy moaning. With Jangler all I hear is an ice cream truck.

[MadHatter]

The difference is, is that Kasay is still reliable from 50+ range.

There's not a whole lot of kickers who kick from that range consistently.

I think we've kind of taken the kicker position for granted here in Carolina simply because we've had a great kicker for our entire history. Nobody here knows what it's like to not be able to get the job done because you know your kicker might actually miss from 53.

And to the poster above who said "Kasay was never held accountable for the botched kickoff in the Super Bowl"

Thats gotta be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

What do you want us to do? Spank him?

Sorry John, bend over, this ones for '03...

As it's been said, Kasay has better numbers than Stenerud, and the only other kicker in the league today who has a chance at going in, Vinatieri.

I think the guy has earned the right to not have his bear bottom spanked because of one mistake, especially when he was a HUGE reason we were even in the Super Bowl to begin with.

Kasay was THE reason that we were even in the playoffs. He had soooo many clutch and late FG's to win games that it was not even funny.

Kasay is THE MAN.

[zebrainz]

As far as John Kasay and field goals, even with Lloyd kicking off, it seemed John lost more leg strength towards the end of the season last year (even accounting for the effects of colder weather). Fox stopped using him for anything past 45 yards for any reason, and was more likely to go for it on 4th downs in the 40-45 yard window (still talking late in the year). John is still money inside the 40 and there's nobody else currently in the game I'd rather have kicking those. Nobody. I'm perfectly willing to wait another year before the search for a reliable FG kicker who can handle kickoffs begins. That can be a painful process paid for in the "W" column. I thought it might happen this year when we signed Aaron Pettrey, but he's already been cut and signed with the Lions as a camp leg due to Hanson's injury. Just my take.

Just to clarify the kickoff situation...

reederstake from earlier this week

8. Rodgers said K Todd Carter is doing well on kickoffs, but that he’s a little concerned how he’ll do in front of big crowds. Can’t imagine they had big crowds at Grand Valley State. He also isn’t sure if the team plans to keep a kickoff specialist this year or if Jason Baker will handle that duty. He made it pretty clear John Kasay will not be in that mix.

Also, from the same reederstake link:

If he [Todd Carter] can’t do it then the Panthers will turn to punter Jason Baker to handle that role.

Baker has kicked off before in the league, but distance has always been an issue.

“He just hasn’t done it in a couple of years,” Rodgers said. “So we’re revisiting that with him and seeing where he’s at. We want to have options. I think he’s been better than some people who have watched him would have thought.” So again, this is something that will be played out in the preseason.

From what I remember, Baker could get it near the goal line, but struggled with placement and consistency. He's definitely a better option than Kasay for KOs at this point.

[KillerKat]

I really hope Baker can handle the kickoffs. We really need an extra roster spot.

[DudeNamedJeremy]

should have never let rhys lloyd go

[ed bell]

We've had an ELITE FG kicker for the ENTIRE history of this franchise...some folks just don't realize how crappy it is to have a shaky FG kicker. It sucks and it will be a real eye-opener if we ever go through that when Kasey is gone.