1 hr. ago
The Los Angeles Rams are facing growing concerns over their special teams after an 18-16 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals left Sean McVay's side with a 2-4 record.
Los Angeles lost kicker Blake Grupe to a knee injury during the game, raising the possibility that the team could need another replacement after releasing Harrison Mevis following his missed kick against the Buffalo Bills.
The latest setback has added to the pressure on a Rams team that entered the season with Super Bowl ambitions but has struggled to find consistency.
According toThe Athletic's Nate Atkins, the Rams are becoming increasingly nervous about their special teams unit as the problems continue to mount.
"The problems are just so widespread that it can be hard to know where to start," Atkins wrote. "The kicking game is chief among them, because the Rams could need a third starting kicker if Grupe's knee injury is serious, after Grupe replaced the waived Harrison Mevis last week."
#grupe #mevis #kicker
Los Angeles lost kicker Blake Grupe to a knee injury during the game, raising the possibility that the team could need another replacement after releasing Harrison Mevis following his missed kick against the Buffalo Bills.
The latest setback has added to the pressure on a Rams team that entered the season with Super Bowl ambitions but has struggled to find consistency.
According toThe Athletic's Nate Atkins, the Rams are becoming increasingly nervous about their special teams unit as the problems continue to mount.
"The problems are just so widespread that it can be hard to know where to start," Atkins wrote. "The kicking game is chief among them, because the Rams could need a third starting kicker if Grupe's knee injury is serious, after Grupe replaced the waived Harrison Mevis last week."
#grupe #mevis #kicker
2 months ago
Another layer has been added to the seemingly never-ending saga the New York Jets have had in recent months and years regarding their kicking situation.
Fresh off adding a new kicker via the NFL's wavier wire, the Jets have brought in another... just for a workout to this point.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it's Josh Karty who has had a workout in New York:
Free agent kicker Joshua Karty, who has kicked the last two seasons for the #Rams , is working out for the #Jets today. pic.twitter.com/Zo10rdDjW4
In the last week alone, the Jets' kicking situation has been all over the place. From naming Jason Sanders the starter, to his abysmal effort in the preseason finale, to Blake Grupe being claimed off of waivers... we could have another curve ball.
#Jets #york #kicking #kicker
Fresh off adding a new kicker via the NFL's wavier wire, the Jets have brought in another... just for a workout to this point.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it's Josh Karty who has had a workout in New York:
Free agent kicker Joshua Karty, who has kicked the last two seasons for the #Rams , is working out for the #Jets today. pic.twitter.com/Zo10rdDjW4
In the last week alone, the Jets' kicking situation has been all over the place. From naming Jason Sanders the starter, to his abysmal effort in the preseason finale, to Blake Grupe being claimed off of waivers... we could have another curve ball.
#Jets #york #kicking #kicker
2 months ago
The New York Jets took advantage of having the No. 2 spot in the NFL waiver wire priority to address one of their biggest concerns heading into Week 1.
The Jets claimed kicker Blake Grupe off waivers. He's been named the starting placekicker for the opening game.
Veteran kicker Jason Sanders was part of the Jets' final cuts. Sanders quickly re-signed back to the practice squad, so he'll continue working on his offseason struggles behind the scenes.
The Jets cycled through various failed kicking experiments this offseason, including Younghoe Koo, Will Ferrin, Cade York, and Lenny Krieg.
Grupe has not been a very reliable kicker throughout his NFL career, which is why he was available in late August.
#york
The Jets claimed kicker Blake Grupe off waivers. He's been named the starting placekicker for the opening game.
Veteran kicker Jason Sanders was part of the Jets' final cuts. Sanders quickly re-signed back to the practice squad, so he'll continue working on his offseason struggles behind the scenes.
The Jets cycled through various failed kicking experiments this offseason, including Younghoe Koo, Will Ferrin, Cade York, and Lenny Krieg.
Grupe has not been a very reliable kicker throughout his NFL career, which is why he was available in late August.
#york
2 months ago
The Indianapolis Colts' kicking competition is coming down to the wire.
For much of training camp, it seemed like Blake Grupe had the advantage. In the practice setting, he was making kicks at a much higher rate than Spencer Shrader.
However, over the last two weeks, with the preseason games taking place, Shrader has "really closed the gap," special teams coordinator Brian Mason said on Monday, via The Athletic's James Boyd.
#colts STC Brian Mason says Blake Grupe is at 86% on FGs this offseason and Spencer Shrader is at 81%. No decision yet on who will be Indy's kicker this season.
"Shrader really closed the gap, I think, these last two weeks."
Adds that "in game kicks carry the most weight."
Shrader is currently 4-for-4 on field goal attempts entering the final preseason game, which includes hitting two kicks from over 50 yards.
#much
For much of training camp, it seemed like Blake Grupe had the advantage. In the practice setting, he was making kicks at a much higher rate than Spencer Shrader.
However, over the last two weeks, with the preseason games taking place, Shrader has "really closed the gap," special teams coordinator Brian Mason said on Monday, via The Athletic's James Boyd.
#colts STC Brian Mason says Blake Grupe is at 86% on FGs this offseason and Spencer Shrader is at 81%. No decision yet on who will be Indy's kicker this season.
"Shrader really closed the gap, I think, these last two weeks."
Adds that "in game kicks carry the most weight."
Shrader is currently 4-for-4 on field goal attempts entering the final preseason game, which includes hitting two kicks from over 50 yards.
#much
2 months ago
One of the Indianapolis Colts' most important positional battles has taken a major turn over the last two practices.
Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader are competing for the kicking job, and Grupe not only has the early advantage, but the gap has widened.
During Tuesday's practice, Shrader made just four of his six field goal attempts, with his misses coming from 45 and 57 yards, according to Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports.
This performance comes on the heels of Grupe going 6-for-6 on his attempts in Monday's practice.
Grupe is now 12-for-12 on attempts in training camp, while Shrader is 9-for-12. Even going back to the spring, Grupe had the better outing during offseason programs.
#shrader #practice #indianapolis #blake
Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader are competing for the kicking job, and Grupe not only has the early advantage, but the gap has widened.
During Tuesday's practice, Shrader made just four of his six field goal attempts, with his misses coming from 45 and 57 yards, according to Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports.
This performance comes on the heels of Grupe going 6-for-6 on his attempts in Monday's practice.
Grupe is now 12-for-12 on attempts in training camp, while Shrader is 9-for-12. Even going back to the spring, Grupe had the better outing during offseason programs.
#shrader #practice #indianapolis #blake
3 months ago
Training camp for the Indianapolis Colts kicks off in about a month, so as part of our preview of what's to come, we will be evaluating each positional battle that is expected to unfold.
What took place during offseason programs laid the foundation for each of these competitions and provided us with some insights into where things may stand. That said, how training camp and the preseason unfold will ultimately determine who wins these roles.
Rounding out our camp competition preview is the kicker position.
Competing for the Colts' kicking job are Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader.
Shrader missed most of last season after sustaining an ACL injury. Before that point, he was 14-for-14 on extra points and 13-of-14 on field goals, which includes hitting a game-winner against Denver.
What took place during offseason programs laid the foundation for each of these competitions and provided us with some insights into where things may stand. That said, how training camp and the preseason unfold will ultimately determine who wins these roles.
Rounding out our camp competition preview is the kicker position.
Competing for the Colts' kicking job are Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader.
Shrader missed most of last season after sustaining an ACL injury. Before that point, he was 14-for-14 on extra points and 13-of-14 on field goals, which includes hitting a game-winner against Denver.
