Who wins the kicking job and how do they simulate game pressure ?

[IgotBILLStopay]

19 minutes ago, billspro said:

Bass is likely too good to stash on the practice squad unfortunately. It’s better to get rid of a kicker a year too soon rather than a year too late. It’s a good year to roll with a rookie kicker, the environments won’t be very hostile this year. If it’s even close they keep Bass especially with the cap saving that we will need next year. 

 

I dont disagree with what you say and am actually quite optimistic on his long term outlook. I did given him a 20% chance to win the job.  Here are the things going against Bass winning the job on opening day

 

a. Rookie kickers do take time to find consistency in the NFL - and it will be harder without a full TC and preseason games

b. Hauschka is pretty decent himself - so Bass will have to demonstrate superiority over a decent player

c. Bass is yet show prowess in inclement weather - he has only kicked in good conditions  till now

d. His FG accuracy declined from 90+ percent in 2018 to 71.4% in 2019, which is the one red flag I have on him

 

 

[Mickey]

Simulating game pressure is easy. I have it on good authority that they have built a temporary closet at the 50 yard line where the holder is set up. When Bass gets close to the ball, just before he kicks it, Fred Smerlas bursts out of the closet and yells "Booga-Booga-Booga!!!!!"

[JESSEFEFFER]

2 hours ago, BuffaninSarasota said:

 

and you know this how ?

Lingering effects of the Henry Anderson cheap shot in 2018?  That keeps getting brought up as an inflection point in Hauschka's performance.

[416BillsFan]

My gut says Hauschka gets the go with Bass one of the 4 protected on the PS. Though that could backfire, with kickers being notoriously in their own heads: SH could miss a FG then overthink the rest of his kicks, costing us a game.

[Locomark]

6 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

One makes the team, and one will end up on the PS.  Bass may get it.  One piece of good news for Bass’s chance is there won’t be fans in the stands so that makes it easier for kickers to get it through the uprights.  The coaches will figure it out in camp.

I really think they need to keep one and keep the other in the PS no matter who wins the role. We saw last year the Hauschka had distance issues but we also know that a rookie kicker could be erratic or he could make a huge difference by booting 57 yarders.

3 minutes ago, 416BillsFan said:

My gut says Hauschka gets the go with Bass one of the 4 protected on the PS. Though that could backfire, with kickers being notoriously in their own heads: SH could miss a FG then overthink the rest of his kicks, costing us a game.

This seems to me to be the most likely because this season is at such a turning point in the franchise. Bass stays as insurance and is protected every week. 

[Locomark]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Indeed. Another guy they really liked and kept Hausch over initially last summer.

This year is different due to Covid. I think they know they need to have 2 kickers as a just in case. This way they groom the kicker of the future, create competition, and have a backup in case Hauschka has a positive covid issue or injury. 

[RyanC883]

I think House money with his ability to be automatic within 50.  I think Bass will make the 53 and likely starts next year, perhaps even handled kickoffs or 50 plus kicks.  Too risky to put a kicker like him on the PS.   If another team has an injured kicker that is threatening to derail its season (happened to Pit back in like 2015) I could see House traded for something.  Bass on the PS would be grabbed by another team, IMO.  

2 hours ago, BuffaloRebound said:

I actually think the potential of no fans or a lot less can greatly help a rookie kicker especially one that didn’t play for a college that plays in front of 70k+ fans.  Not saying Bass beats out Hauschka but the uniqueness of this season probably helps Bass.  

 an interesting take that this season hurts his odds without a full preseason. I can see this.  

[Locomark]

4 hours ago, T master said:

Chris Brown was talking about this the other day on One Bills Live & said just due to the fact that Haushka has the experience at being clutch the couple that with the fact that there will be no preseason games for Bass to prove he can be clutch under pressure that that alone could lose him the job .

 

But they did say because he has such a strong leg and can put it out of the end zone on kick offs most all the time and Haushka has a harder time getting it out of the end zone that could be a factor in who wins the job .

 

I guess it will come down to what McD see's from them in camp and all you all say preseason games are useless ? . 

Reality is if they want longer kickoffs but trust Hauschka to do the FGs, then they just hand the punter role to Vedvik and let him kickoff. 

[GunnerBill]

12 minutes ago, Locomark said:

Reality is if they want longer kickoffs but trust Hauschka to do the FGs, then they just hand the punter role to Vedvik and let him kickoff. 

 

That is another option, though more of a longshot.

[Jauronimo]

42 minutes ago, Locomark said:

I really think they need to keep one and keep the other in the PS no matter who wins the role. We saw last year the Hauschka had distance issues but we also know that a rookie kicker could be erratic or he could make a huge difference by booting 57 yarders.

This seems to me to be the most likely because this season is at such a turning point in the franchise. Bass stays as insurance and is protected every week. 

You can't put veterans on the practice squad.  The only Kicker who is eligible for PS is Bass.  

 

Quote

Practice squad eligibility rules include players with less than one accrued NFL season (six games on an active roster), players who have been on an active roster for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s), players who have earned no more than two accrued seasons with any number of games and players with any number of accrued seasons. 

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-reportedly-proposes-expansion-of-practice-squad-and-here-are-the-details/

[Aplusfool]

In July 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL increased the practice squad size to 16 for the 2020 season, with six slots open to players with any amount of experience. Additionally, each week, teams may designate up to four practice squad players who then cannot be signed by other teams to their active rosters.^[18] Additional protocols are in place for activation of large numbers of practice squad players in the event of an outbreak.

[DCofNC]

I think you see them start w Hauch, but in a time when you could be without a kicker for 2-4 weeks depending on how a Covid test goes and the lack of quality kickers available, I’d be sure to have a Kicker and an QB stashed just in case.   Not having a quality option to kick could easily cost you a game/playoffs.  It’s too big of a risk, especially when you consider kickers are generally responsible for the most points of any individual on the team.

 

For the same reason, I would really have liked to seen Buffalo go after Dalton in FA a lot more aggressively, but if Josh goes down, we get to see Barkley again.. God help us/any team if their QB room gets hit w a round of Covid, it will be an interesting year.  I would personally be requiring full PPE for any time they are not on the field and at very least, full shields on the face masks to reduce the chance of spread as much as possible. I would also not have the QBs or kickers in the same room more than necessary.  
 

I’m not scared of the virus, but you know damn well they aren’t getting to play if they get a positive test and that’s entirely too much risk for the team.  If would be no surprise to me, if a team loses all their QBs in one week, has to go w a guy off the street.  Some of the older, experienced fa’s are going to make bank this year.   Sure wouldn’t be shocked to see Sam Bradford starting again this season. 
 

if I’m a GM, my protected PS list has a QB, K, and T on it For Sure.  You just can’t plug anybody in those spots and hope for the best.  Probably can get by with a P from the street, RB you should be able to live without, etc, but can you imagine if somehow you were to lose you starting QB (maybe even your back up too), LT, and K for 2 weeks? Not many teams can even think about winning in that scenario.  It could easily happen. 

[BuffaloRebound]

58 minutes ago, Aplusfool said:

In July 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL increased the practice squad size to 16 for the 2020 season, with six slots open to players with any amount of experience. Additionally, each week, teams may designate up to four practice squad players who then cannot be signed by other teams to their active rosters.^[18] Additional protocols are in place for activation of large numbers of practice squad players in the event of an outbreak.

There’s your answer.  1 of the 4 who can’t be signed will definitely be a kicker.  Probably a QB too.  Most likely where Bass and the QB from Georgia will end up.  

[Alphadawg7]

14 hours ago, Locomark said:

Will Bass win the job?

How will the team simulate games / pressure in a way that they can comfortably decide to go with the rookie ?  

Do they toss Bass on the practice squad ? 

If they pick Bass, do they try to keep Hauschka on the practice squad and protect him as insurance ? 

 

If this was a normal year, I would say its 50-50 given House Money not being so "money" the last 2 years in consistency and also some diminished power it would appear.  

 

Given the lack of preseason, I think it heavily favors the veteran over the rookie.  Going into a year with such big expectations, its going to be hard to put something so important into the hands of a rookie without having the forum for him to earn his stripes.  No preseason, and not much contact even in practice before the season begins is going to make it really hard for any rookie that wasn't drafted in the first 3 or 4 rounds, to crack NFL rosters of good teams.  

 

The one thing that Bass has going for him though is that Haushka likely wont have a ton of interest on the open market and quite possibly wont get signed.  So if the rookie struggles early, they could potentially bring back Haushka during the season, or a comparable veteran kicker.  

 

Still, while I personally think I would like to see the rookie win the job, I still think it will be a lot harder this year under these circumstances.  Haushka last year wasn't terrible, but he also wasn't good enough to be safe either.  

[GunnerBill]

10 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

If this was a normal year, I would say its 50-50 given House Money not being so "money" the last 2 years in consistency and also some diminished power it would appear.  

 

Given the lack of preseason, I think it heavily favors the veteran over the rookie.  Going into a year with such big expectations, its going to be hard to put something so important into the hands of a rookie without having the forum for him to earn his stripes.  No preseason, and not much contact even in practice before the season begins is going to make it really hard for any rookie that wasn't drafted in the first 3 or 4 rounds, to crack NFL rosters of good teams.  

 

The one thing that Bass has going for him though is that Haushka likely wont have a ton of interest on the open market and quite possibly wont get signed.  So if the rookie struggles early, they could potentially bring back Haushka during the season, or a comparable veteran kicker.  

 

Still, while I personally think I would like to see the rookie win the job, I still think it will be a lot harder this year under these circumstances.  Haushka last year wasn't terrible, but he also wasn't good enough to be safe either.  

 

100% agree with all this Alpha. A lot of people are letting heart rule head on this one. 

[Chandler#81]

3 hours ago, Locomark said:

I really think they need to keep one and keep the other in the PS no matter who wins the role. We saw last year the Hauschka had distance issues but we also know that a rookie kicker could be erratic or he could make a huge difference by booting 57 yarders.

This seems to me to be the most likely because this season is at such a turning point in the franchise. Bass stays as insurance and is protected every week. 

?

2 hours ago, Jauronimo said:

You can't put veterans on the practice squad.  The only Kicker who is eligible for PS is Bass.  

 

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-reportedly-proposes-expansion-of-practice-squad-and-here-are-the-details/

This. We drafted him. Bass won’t make it through waivers.

Maybe whisper to the kick blocking ST “pssst! We have to make a big decision on our Drafted guy vs the tried & true, expensive and aging vet. Bring your nastiest best! For the TEAM!”

[JESSEFEFFER]

How many times did we see a team waive their PK after a loss to the Bills last year?  Jets, Titans Cowboys?  Maybe there was another?  Kickers are not scheme specific nor do they need to learn a playbook.  Thus, there is no patience for young kickers to learn on the job nor is there much tolerance for any kicker that costs a team wins. 

 

There always seems to be a market for free agent kickers once the season begins and I don't think PS is a normal consideration but this is not a normal year.  I can see them starting the season with both on the roster and letting it sort itself out.  Once injuries hit and that extra roster spot becomes more valuable, one might have to go.

[1st Ammendment NoMas]

I don't think you blow a 5th round pick on a kicker to cut him.

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

18 hours ago, Locomark said:

Will Bass win the job?

How will the team simulate games / pressure in a way that they can comfortably decide to go with the rookie ?  

Do they toss Bass on the practice squad ? 

If they pick Bass, do they try to keep Hauschka on the practice squad and protect him as insurance ? 

Just like this

[JMF2006]

9 hours ago, BuffaninSarasota said:

 

and you know this how ?

 

I don't know for sure it just seemed like he lost a lot of distance on his kicks McD didn't trust him on the longer kicks.

[Doc]

As long as Bass is able to make about as many FGs as Hauschka, he'll win the job.  They didn't spend a draft pick on him for nothing.

[Locomark]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

As long as Bass is able to make about as many FGs as Hauschka, he'll win the job.  They didn't spend a draft pick on him for nothing.

So Doc, don’t you think Bass has to outright out perform H in practice to win this thing? We know Bass has a bigger leg but I think a tie goes to Hauschka 100% of the time just because he is a known commodity and we can stuff Bass on the practice squad. The question is what are the odds that Bass comes in and truly outperforms Hauschka in practice daily? This is why I hate having no eyes on practice. 

Edited August 14, 2020 by Locomark

[Gambit]

3 minutes ago, Locomark said:

So Doc, don’t you think Bass has to outright out perform H in practice to win this thing? We know Bass has a bigger leg but I think a tie goes to Hauschka 100% of the time just because he is a known commodity and we can stuff Bass on the practice squad. The question is what are the odds that Bass comes in and truly outperforms Hauschka in practice daily? This is why I hate having no eyes on practice. 

Seeing as Hauschka can't kick past 50 anymore then that's the reason he should lose if they tie. His leg clearly has lost power.

[LB48]

16 hours ago, billsbackto81 said:

Bass has to be lights out to beat out the vet. Hausch may have played poorly in some games last season and very well cost us the Browns game but he was money in the playoff game in Houston.

With team the Bills have built for 2020 they can't afford to take a chance on a rookie kicker!

[Doc]

2 hours ago, Locomark said:

So Doc, don’t you think Bass has to outright out perform H in practice to win this thing? We know Bass has a bigger leg but I think a tie goes to Hauschka 100% of the time just because he is a known commodity and we can stuff Bass on the practice squad. The question is what are the odds that Bass comes in and truly outperforms Hauschka in practice daily? This is why I hate having no eyes on practice. 

 

1 hour ago, LB48 said:

With team the Bills have built for 2020 they can't afford to take a chance on a rookie kicker!

 

Then why draft him?  If he's got no shot to unseat Hauschka, why waste a draft pick?  IMHO he's staying, unless he proves to be a disaster.  Now they could keep him along with Hauschka, but I believe that if it's even or Bass is better, he only stays.

[SirAndrew]

10 hours ago, JMF2006 said:

 

I don't know for sure it just seemed like he lost a lot of distance on his kicks McD didn't trust him on the longer kicks.

I like Hausch because he’s been an important part of this team and their success. I appreciate what he’s done with them, but it’s time to part imo. It’s a prerequisite that an NFL kicker must be able to kick 50+ field goals. We are losing a lot having a guy you don’t trust from that range. We also have an offense who has yet to get in the end zone on a regular basis, and field goals remain a big part of our scoring. We were stuck in that 50+ field goal no mans land many times last season, being forced to punt or just go for it on forth down. Rookie kickers can be an adventure, and Hausch has been good percentage wise. However, Hausch’s good percentage doesn’t account for all the times we pass on the opportunity to kick past 50 yards. Bass could be just as effective with a slightly lower field goal percentage, simply based on the additional long field goals he could make. Those kicks don’t count for a miss with Hausch because they never happen, but we’re still giving up possession when most kickers get on the field for a 54 yard kick. 

Edited August 14, 2020 by SirAndrew

[Beast]

The Bills didn't draft the top kicker in college football to cut him.

[Maybe Someday]

As many have said this will be a unique season. I think they keep both to protect against covid and also to protect their investment. Bass may not be better than Haush now but I think there is at least 1 team that would claim him if they could so we need to protect him on the 53. 

 

They cannot protect Bass on the practice squad 100% of the time. Those 4 protected spots are designated each week, they are not permanent. There is a roughly 36 hour window each week that any PS player could be claimed. 

 

Also didn't that kicker we tried to claim last year start the season on our PS? I know we had him in camp. Might have been a lesson learned. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

I like Hausch because he’s been an important part of this team and their success. I appreciate what he’s done with them, but it’s time to part imo. It’s a prerequisite that an NFL kicker must be able to kick 50+ field goals. We are losing a lot having a guy you don’t trust from that range. We also have an offense who has yet to get in the end zone on a regular basis, and field goals remain a big part of our scoring. We were stuck in that 50+ field goal no mans land many times last season, being forced to punt or just go for it on forth down. Rookie kickers can be an adventure, and Hausch has been good percentage wise. However, Hausch’s good percentage doesn’t account for all the times we pass on the opportunity to kick past 50 yards. Bass could be just as effective with a slightly lower field goal percentage, simply based on the additional long field goals he could make. Those kicks don’t count for a miss with Hausch because they never happen, but we’re still giving up possession when most kickers get on the field for a 54 yard kick. 

 

I don't think you're always going to kick a 50+ yarder.  But if its 3 seconds before halftime and we're on the 35 yard line, he's probably going to miss it.  Less than 50% over 2 seasons and was 1/5 in 2019.  

 

21st in FG accuracy, 18th in XPs, 26th in TB%, and better than like 4 guys at 50+ because they didn't make any of them.  

 

I'm at least giving the kid a chance.  

25 minutes ago, Maybe Someday said:

As many have said this will be a unique season. I think they keep both to protect against covid and also to protect their investment. Bass may not be better than Haush now but I think there is at least 1 team that would claim him if they could so we need to protect him on the 53. 

 

They cannot protect Bass on the practice squad 100% of the time. Those 4 protected spots are designated each week, they are not permanent. There is a roughly 36 hour window each week that any PS player could be claimed. 

 

Also didn't that kicker we tried to claim last year start the season on our PS? I know we had him in camp. Might have been a lesson learned. 

 

Honestly i wonder how much having no/reduced fans at games will help kickers.  Pressure is the same, but you aren't in like this crazy loud stadium of people trying to get you to miss.

[Big Turk]

If Hauschka doesn't have the leg to hit from over 50 anymore, I don't even think there is a real competition...you can't be at that big of a disadvantage to other teams around the NFL as that puts you in...

[ChevyVanMiller]

4 hours ago, Beast said:

The Bills didn't draft the top kicker in college football to cut him.

See: Anderson, Gary

[Doc]

17 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

See: Anderson, Gary

 

Anderson was a disaster.  Apparently intentionally.

Edited August 14, 2020 by Doc

[ChevyVanMiller]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

 

Anderson was a disaster.  Apparently intentionally.

Yeah, one of the great deliberate choke jobs of all-time. If he'd have done that in the age of social media he would have been roasted and blackballed from the league.

Edited August 14, 2020 by ChevyVanMiller

[Beast]

58 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

See: Anderson, Gary

 

See: 1982, Anderson, Gary wouldn't even have been picked if the draft was only six rounds long as it is today.

 

Not to mention he was absolutely horrible in the pre-season which led to him

being cut.

Edited August 14, 2020 by Beast

[letsgoteam]

31 minutes ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

Yeah, one of the great deliberate choke jobs of all-time. If he'd have done that in teh age of social media he would have been roasted and blackballed from the league.

And karma payed him back. No Super Bowls and he choked in the NFC Championship game in 98. Maybe the football "gods" (notice the little 'g' since having the 2nd Commandment in mind ?) would have been more kind and G.A makes the kick against the Giants if he stayed on and with the Bills!

[Bangarang]

14 hours ago, LB48 said:

With team the Bills have built for 2020 they can't afford to take a chance on a rookie kicker!

Even if he’s a better option?

[letsgoteam]

A more important question, on the expanded protected practice squad players will those players still have to pass through Waivers or is it automatic placement, wavier protected as well?

[ChevyVanMiller]

36 minutes ago, Beast said:

 

See: 1982, Anderson, Gary wouldn't even have been picked if the draft was only six rounds long as it is today.

 

Not to mention he was absolutely horrible in the pre-season which led to him

being cut.

You have to go read his story. He didn't want to play for the Bills and deliberately missed every FG he attemped in preseason, until they had no choice to cut him. He then went on to have the second most FGs made and points scored in NFL history.

[GreggTX]

PK is nothing like QB. All you have to do is kick the ball a few times a game. Experience isn't an issue. Bass faced enough high and low pressure situations in college for them to judge well enough and he'll be kicking every day in camp. I'm not concerned.

[Simon Says]

On 8/13/2020 at 6:16 AM, machine gun kelly said:

One makes the team, and one will end up on the PS.  Bass may get it.  One piece of good news for Bass’s chance is there won’t be fans in the stands so that makes it easier for kickers to get it through the uprights.  The coaches will figure it out in camp.

Players don't automatically move to the Pratice Squad: have to be waived and another team can  sign them.  If Bass is any good,will Bills risk losing him?

On 8/13/2020 at 8:40 AM, MAJBobby said:

To start the season.

 

Hausch 

Bass on the Protected PS

 

By End of season Bass - It is always a bad sign for a Kicker when your team DRAFTs a Kicker.

the 4 "Protected" spots don't mean you can just move a guy to the PS. Each Tuesday,a team can protect 4 players that are on on PS,so they can't be poached by another team. The PS players are still vulnerable fora day or so