Kicker decision between Bass /Prater

[vanhalen26]

I’d go with the longer leg, which I’d figure is Bass by a good margin.

 

Watching warm ups Sunday, praters range was much less than the saints.

[GASabresIUFan]

Neither?  I’d try out Blankenship.

[ALLinALLEN]

If he comes back and we cut Prater...and Bass misses just ONE kick that's makeable....we suddenly have a kicker problem. With Prater, I feel confident in every kick. That's way more than I can say now about Bass (who I actually would get nervous for on crucial EXTRA POINTS FFS!)

[Chandler#81]

Tyler who?🫡🤔

[davefan66]

Prater missed 1 kick this season and if you watch the replay, looks like it was blocked.  Maybe the trajectory was low, but with the change on direction it looked blocked.

 

He consistently splits the uprights. Consistently hits it where he wants it in the landing zone.

 

For those who fear what happens in cold weather? Dude used to play in Denver where it snows heavily in October.

 

Prater continues, Bass can sit his …!

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Neither?  I’d try out Blankenship.

 

He doesn't have the leg for Buffalo. Very shaky beyond 50. 

[H2o]

Prater is the guy, until he is not. I expect that to be this entire season. I don't think Bass comes off of IR unless Prater comes completely unglued. I don't see that happening. He's been doing this at a high level for way too long. I trust Prater more than any kicker we have had in a long time. 

[ganesh]

57 minutes ago, H2o said:

Prater is the guy, until he is not. I expect that to be this entire season. I don't think Bass comes off of IR unless Prater comes completely unglued. I don't see that happening. He's been doing this at a high level for way too long. I trust Prater more than any kicker we have had in a long time. 

I don't think you can keep him in IR if he is completely healthy.  I see the possibility of activating Bass (and the 21 window to decide whether he is good to get back) and then move Prater back to the PS.   They will then take decisions on Bass if he sucks.

Edited Wednesday at 10:47 AM by ganesh

[Mailman]

1 hour ago, H2o said:

Prater is the guy, until he is not. I expect that to be this entire season. I don't think Bass comes off of IR unless Prater comes completely unglued. I don't see that happening. He's been doing this at a high level for way too long. I trust Prater more than any kicker we have had in a long time. 

For the first time in several years, I dont stress when Prater trots out for the kick. 

[H2o]

24 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I don't think you can keep him in IR if he is completely healthy.  I see the possibility of activating Bass (and the 21 window to decide whether he is good to get back) and then move Prater back to the PS.   They will then take decisions on Bass if he sucks.

They can choose not to activate him and leave him stashed all year. They aren't going to take a chance trying to slip Prater through waivers and put him on the PS. We have all seen Bass, and how erratic he is. That ain't changing because of competition and an IR stint. The job is Prater's unless he falls apart, and I don't see that happening. 

[JohninMinn.]

Bass is a head case.

[SectionC3]

I suspect that unless Prater falls apart Bass is done here and we figure out next year when that time comes. 

[Brand J]

Yeah, Prater holds onto the job unless he starts missing kicks. So far almost every single FG/extra pt has been dead center, while Bass likes to flirt with the uprights. Tyler has to continue to sit.

[Warriorspikes51]

Prater....  14/16 in the playoffs.  Better % than Bass
 

Bass makes me nervous.   Prater I feel confident and other than 1 weird somewhat meaningless kick he's been perfect

12 hours ago, ALLinALLEN said:

If he comes back and we cut Prater...and Bass misses just ONE kick that's makeable....we suddenly have a kicker problem. With Prater, I feel confident in every kick. That's way more than I can say now about Bass (who I actually would get nervous for on crucial EXTRA POINTS FFS!)

 

Prater would be scooped up by another team 

[Dillenger4]

8 hours ago, H2o said:

Prater is the guy, until he is not. I expect that to be this entire season. I don't think Bass comes off of IR unless Prater comes completely unglued. I don't see that happening. He's been doing this at a high level for way too long. I trust Prater more than any kicker we have had in a long time. 

BINGO Bongo! 100%

[HardyBoy]

On 9/19/2025 at 5:34 PM, BillsShredder83 said:

Prater has left me feeling a helluva lot more steady.  The fact Prater is kicking well and Bass' job may be on the line, makes me even more nervous he'll be a headcase returning.

 

Praters miss was how far out though? Football reference only has a range, between 40-49yds.  The fact it was wildly off makes me a little more comfortable it was flukey.... hes obv been $$ in practice too, because McD didnt hesitate to bring him back out for a risky'ish kick. Came out and drilled a 47yd despite that miss.

 

I think we have a lot to potentially lose by releasing him and trying to get him on PS when Bass comes back.... I dont feel much of a risk letting Prater keep hitting the ball.  Worst case scenario, Prater crumbles, and Bass is protected on IR/getting 100% healthy.

 

We have this kicker 'hall pass' thats only valid if we use it!  Id be sick making the switch before Prater did something to make us!!!  Let Prater finish out year, next year we can try the Bass thing again (absolutely wouldnt have a 6th or 7th round swing again either!)

 

Isn't Prater's contract fully guaranteed (he was on the roster week 1) with offset language...he could legit turn down any offers and come back on the bills practice squad and the only thing that changes is he wouldn't be actually kicking...now if you needed to go back to prater, then you either cut bass and get hit with all that dead cap and you likely lose him to waivers since it would be post trade deadline, but you could also elevate prater in the playoffs...

 

Let me know if I have anything confused on how that stuff works

[Boatdrinks]

3 minutes ago, HardyBoy said:

 

Isn't Prater's contract fully guaranteed (he was on the roster week 1) with offset language...he could legit turn down any offers and come back on the bills practice squad and the only thing that changes is he wouldn't be actually kicking...now if you needed to go back to prater, then you either cut bass and get hit with all that dead cap and you likely lose him to waivers since it would be post trade deadline, but you could also elevate prater in the playoffs...

 

Let me know if I have anything confused on how that stuff works

Didn’t they wait until after 1st game to sign Prater to active roster to avoid guaranteeing salary ? 

[HardyBoy]

3 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

Didn’t they wait until after 1st game to sign Prater to active roster to avoid guaranteeing salary ? 

 

Didn't he kick in game 1? Maybe they have to be on the roster at the start of week 1 and he signed that Thursday after the week started?

 

It would make sense they waited to avoid the guarantee, but he played week 1...

[Mike in Horseheads]

7 hours ago, HardyBoy said:

 

Didn't he kick in game 1? Maybe they have to be on the roster at the start of week 1 and he signed that Thursday after the week started?

 

It would make sense they waited to avoid the guarantee, but he played week 1...

He kicked the game winning FG wk 1

[juno999]

I believe it’s Prater’s job until it isn’t. Unless he begins missing kicks it’s his job. It wouldn’t surprise me if Bass is out all year.