Gee, you think the Ravens regret letting Matt Stover walk?
by Brad Wells on Nov 18, 2009 11:46 AM EST
in Colts Analysis
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PrintYesterday, the Baltimore Ravens cut kicker Steven Hauschka. Hauschka was handed the starting place kicker job during the off-season after Ravens management decided not to re-sign longtime, legendary kicker Matt Stover who, like Adam Vinatieri, has made a career making big, money, clutch field goals.
Gee, you think Ravens football guru Ossie Newsome regrets that stupid decision?
Prior to getting cut, Hauschka was hitting only 3-5 field goals between 40 and 49 yards and had missed two FGs from less than 39 yards. Against the Cleveland Browns Monday night, Hauschka missed a gimme FG from 36 yards out. Apparently, that's was all Newsome needed to see.
Stover, meanwhile, has found a temporary home with the team that used to play in Baltimore, the Colts. With fellow legend Adam Vinatieri on the shelf for a while recovering from surgery, Stover has come in and been his usual, automatic self. He is 6-6 on FG attempts, hitting all four tries in the 30 to 39 yard range. While sTover likely does not have the leg power to blast a 53-yarder through the uprights, he does do what every good kicker is paid very handsomely to do: Make the gimme FGs.
This is why, for my money, kickers with "big legs" are over-rated. Give me the clutch kickers any day; the guys who make the FGs when the game is on the line. Sure, even the great ones miss one or two here and there, but more often than not they are the ones who propel your team to wins by hitting the big money FG.
Guys like Stover and Vinatieri have made their careers doing that. This weekend, the Colts and Stover will return "home" to Baltimore. Hopefully, he can provide the Ravens with even more regret for letting him walk away from their franchise.
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I agree with the article...
and hope Stover gives us a “leg up” no pun intended LOL. However, Ozzie Newsome is a very good GM. Not all decisions come out the way you like…calling it a stupid decision is fine if you agree that drafting Ugoh and Pollack were stupid decisions by Polian. I find it pathetic that someone can’t make an honest mistake without being called stupid…we are dealing with human beings here and not all of them (meaning the players) are going to turn out like they should on the field.
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
IT’S MATT STOOOOOOOOOOOOVER!
That cracks me up every time I hear it. I’m kind of hoping it gets played over the PA if he has to kick.
Manning makes it Wayne on 'dem hoes! Wayne on 'dem hoes! Wayne on 'dem hoes!
http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com
by MonkeyBusiness on Nov 18, 2009 12:08 PM EST reply actions
I personally hope that
Stover doesn’t give him more regret Sunday. I want the Colts to blow them out by 40 points. Give our hearts a break for once.
Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.
Man, I need a life...
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: I turn 19 on Tuesday, November 17. I accept all gifts. If any of you can figure out a way for me not to have a test Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday on the week of my birthday, that would be the best present ever.
my thought exactly
let Stover just go in for all the XPs
How can you not love a team that does this?
Give your hearts a break?
You guys are 9-0. What is so rough about that?
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
5 of those were tight
including a missed game tying 42 yarder as time expired and a game where they trailed by 17 in the 4th quarter and 13 in the final 4 minutes.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 19, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
True...
after last Sunday night…I am on medication!!!
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Agreed
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No...because we'd have the better kicker in Stover.
Visit FanIQ.com for sports news, bloggings, polls, and more!
Agreed Agreed
Let Vinny play out the year, but we need to get some new talent at kicker, the tires are getting bald with Vinny….Thank you for winning us that Baltimore Ravens game on the SB run…for that alone, I will be eternally grateful…
From a Ravens perspective:
Most Ravens fans are sad, upset, angry, etc., but not me. Stover was not that great the latter part of his career here, couldn’t hit much over 40 and his kickoffs died at the 15 yard line. To me, you need to hit the 50 yarder in the NFL. Hauschka wasn’t ever my choice, the rookie Graham Gano, who lost out in Training Camp is doing great in the UFL. Stover might be a decent backup but we’ll take Adam over him anyday.
aka 'Rexx'
Did Stover trash talk Belichick???
Did anybody else see Stover slap Belichick on the back as he was walking off the field after last weeks game? He clearly said something while slapping his back twice, but Belichick just glared at him and didnt say anything. I’m curious if Stover was giving Hoodie some good old fashion trash talk. What do you think?
They used to be player/coach in Cleveland
at the end of the Brown’s run there before the move. Belichick was cold and impolite because he is a douche, bot because he and stover have heat. I’m pretty sure Bill probably likes Matt.
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
I agree
Stover doesn’t seem like the type of guy.
by ActionOxford on Nov 18, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions
Stover is a very religious guy
and would only say nice things about anyone.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 19, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks for in the info
I was not aware that Stover and Hoodie knew each other. Nevertheless, it would be pretty darn funny if Stover was “giving him the business”.
Gee......I hope we can pull off
the upset. (sarcasm) Vegas has the Colts as a one-point underdog. This is why I never give one shred of credibility to the so-called experts.
We're favored by a point now.
Whew. How else would we have won? I was hoping he would stay underdogs. Maybe a repeat of the Arizona game!
I miss him
Seeing in Colt blue just feels wrong. Well then again, seeing the Colts in Indianapolis sucks to.
Great kicker and person you guys got there. Surprised a franchise like the Ravens would make a mistake like that.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I doubt they missed anything
they just went with the youth and inexpensive option of someone else. The Colts did the same with Hunter Smith. Great punter and guy, too expensive for a man of his position.
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
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