Who Would You Keep?: Kicker

by Dave Cariello on Jun 24, 2008 3:00 PM CDT

Via New Orleans Saints official website and Daylife.com

This one ought to stir up some debate. You've only got two choices here, but some of you may disagree as to who should be on the final roster. Should the Saints go with experience? Or is time to look toward the future? I'm sure most of you know your choices are:

Martin Gramatica
Taylor Mehlhaff

So which one is coach going to rely on with two seconds left in a game with playoff implications on a snowy day in Chicago in late December? Maybe he will keep both and use Mehlhaff just for kickoffs? Let's hear what you think!

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If the kid can kick...

Keep him and cut Martin. I don’t think we can afford the roster luxury of carrying 2 kickers.

by stujo4 on Jun 24, 2008 3:06 PM CDT reply actions

agreed

grammatica may have done well last year but he’s still a liabilty. gotta go with youth/leg strength here. plus look at grammatica’s hair. and taylor looks like he might could play LB.

by therick2323 on Jun 24, 2008 3:15 PM CDT reply actions

That's a tough one

Gramatica really came through last year. I love his enthusim too. I think my little sister could kick better than Mare, so either would be an upgrade. I think I’ll vote New Guy. and hope for the best!!!!

It's better to die like a lion, than to live like a pussy

by #23fan on Jun 24, 2008 3:33 PM CDT reply actions

New guy

Funny! In that pic, Mehlhaff does look like he could suit up at LB. If he’s got 75% or above field goal accuracy in training camp and the preseason, there’s no question we have to go with the rookie. I like Gramatica (he was a welcome change last season), but he simply doesn’t have the power leg anymore. I keep hearing that Mehlhaff was the top rated kicker out of college this year, so I’m hoping for good things out of him. He is ripped! I can totally see him laying a big hit on any returner that’s able to sneak past the other special teamers on a kickoff.

Go Saints!!!!

by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 24, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply actions

I'll make it 6 for 6 in favor of the new guy

I want to see what Mehlhaff can do.

by Hollywoo! on Jun 24, 2008 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

Mehlhaff Interview

I will be interviewing Mehlhaff next week.

by gotsaints on Jun 25, 2008 12:18 AM CDT reply actions

Well....

I honestly think, and kinda hope, they keep both this year. Next Year go with the kid. That way you keep Gramatica, and the insurance he comes with. He could teach the rookie a few things, and handle possible clutch short yardage situations. Let the kid take kickoffs, and try to jack a couple 50 yarders, see what he is capable of in the NFL. And make sure he doesn’t get all mentally screwed up, and chokes.

Oh yeah, I’m looking forward to Devin Hester get ROCKED by our kicker just when he thinks he’s free…...he ends up on the receiving end of a Top 10 play

by asaint on Jun 25, 2008 7:39 AM CDT reply actions

Salary Cap

We need to continue getting some return from the rookies and recently drafted players. And not just the late rounders either. Keeping a rookie kicker is nerve racking, but if he has the right mindset, I’m all for it. Besides, we’ve got some fat contracts out there and we’re going to need some young (a.k.a. lower salaried) players to replace some of the veterans along the way.

by kman71 on Jun 25, 2008 8:57 AM CDT reply actions

you don’t draft a kicker unless you plan on giving him a shot .it’s his job to lose.martin is a good kicker,lots of experince ,and outstanding at onside kicks .this staff loves to make that call.i would love to see the rookie take a shot at a few in preseason .that and his field goal % decide his fate.i don’t doubt his leg .we would love to keep one kicker,so we could keep another reciver.only two qb’s also, brunell allows us to save another roster spot.

by r c a on Jun 25, 2008 11:44 AM CDT reply actions