would lions save any money by

[zyxt9]

Releasing Akers? I realize it would be minimal, just wondering if that might come into play in deciding on K.

I'd still go with the younger leg personally.

 

[schles192]

If my job was on the line I would go with the vet.

 

[mhughes0021]

I'm so confused by our kicking game. You have akers kicking fgs, martin kicking off, martin punting, thor kicking fgs, thor punting, clingan punting. If martin and thor do both well....I'd just assume keep those 2 and in case of injury you have an automatic back up.

 

[LKP]

Save about 200 K. Lions don't need the room. Not worth losing a vet kicker. If Martin can kickoff, I'm fine with Akers.

 

[elrod817]

Save about 200 K. Lions don't need the room. Not worth losing a vet kicker. If Martin can kickoff, I'm fine with Akers.

My avatar disapproves of your comments.

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

I still don't seem to understand what the extra value is being a vet when we're talking about kickers. They don't need to know but a handful of plays in the playbook, and if Akers isn't doing kickoffs then it doesn't even matter whether he knows coverages. Maybe there is a thought that the vet is less likely to meltdown in key situations, but even that seems tenuous. Kickalicious just hit two long field goals in his debut. Is an overtime kick going to be more pressure than his first live action ever?

Moreover, being a vet has shown no statistical advantage in kicking situations in the past. Distance and individual skill are vastly more likely to affect the outcome. 200K is very little to the Lions, but I'm really hoping we don't pay for a veteran presence that has no real value.

 

[lgolfer]

I still don't seem to understand what the extra value is being a vet when we're talking about kickers. They don't need to know but a handful of plays in the playbook, and if Akers isn't doing kickoffs then it doesn't even matter whether he knows coverages. Maybe there is a thought that the vet is less likely to meltdown in key situations, but even that seems tenuous. Kickalicious just hit two long field goals in his debut. Is an overtime kick going to be more pressure than his first live action ever?

Moreover, being a vet has shown no statistical advantage in kicking situations in the past. Distance and individual skill are vastly more likely to affect the outcome. 200K is very little to the Lions, but I'm really hoping we don't pay for a veteran presence that has no real value.

I'm hoping Havard Rugland can win the job by playing great in the preseason, but Akers' experience gives him an advantage. He's been in many more pressure-filled situations and knows how to react accordingly. It makes a difference. And a game-winning kick in the regular season or playoffs would have much more pressure than his 1st ever kick.

 

[tonyballs]

Looks like we found a fn gem in Martin. A boomer at punting and kickoff? Priceless....and people ripped on this draft pick...lol.

As for kickalicious? Keep him if he plays well the next few games. He'll be cheaper and i dont trust Akers at all anyways.

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

I'm hoping Havard Rugland can win the job by playing great in the preseason, but Akers' experience gives him an advantage. He's been in many more pressure-filled situations and knows how to react accordingly. It makes a difference. And a game-winning kick in the regular season or playoffs would have much more pressure than his 1st ever kick.

I understand your opinion here, but I just don't think there is evidence to back it up. "Clutch" performance is largely a myth created by fans and the media. Players tend to play the way they always have in clutch situations, it's the people watching that put more value on late game plays.

 

[LKP]

Akers was perfect in the Super Bowl. I don't know why everyone wants Rugland. Especially since Martin can boom it on kickoffs.

 

[zyxt9]

Akers was perfect in the Super Bowl. I don't know why everyone wants Rugland. Especially since Martin can boom it on kickoffs.

Because if their equal in ability you would go with the one who is starting his career instead of at the end of his career. Why would you go with the guy who will retire in a year or two instead of the guy you could have around for over 10 years? So you can go through the process of finding an above average kicker again sooner? Don't we have enough positions being turned over frequently to where we could benefit from not having yet another position to worry about????? Sure be could bolt in FA, but chances are he would be with Lions longer than Akers even in that scenario.

 

[elrod817]

Akers was perfect in the Super Bowl. I don't know why everyone wants Rugland. Especially since Martin can boom it on kickoffs.

I'm not certain why you're so attached to an old kicker coming off a bad season. That being said you'll more than likely get your wish...

 

[Mitchrapp]

Hanson could make long kicks but couldn't kick it to the end zone. Have a 2nd guy for that..

Btw, elrod - happy B-day.

 

[elrod817]

Hanson could make long kicks but couldn't kick it to the end zone. Have a 2nd guy for that..

Btw, elrod - happy B-day.

Thanks Mitch!