Making the Case for Graham Gano

[RedskinParadigm]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this board, but I'm excited to talk Redskins football.

I read a practice report today that Graham Gano struggled badly in a kicking competition, going 5-9 on his FGA as compared to 9-9 for Rackers. It seems like a lot of fans are ready to call it quits on Gano (and I admit, I was too) but I saw this piece on Gano that may have changed my mind. There are a lot of good points in here, particularly about how Gano compares to other kickers at his age. I'm starting to think we may need to have a little more patience with Gano. Anyway, I thought it was an interesting read.

http://www.sportingparagon.com/redsk...d-be-retained/

[Morneblade]

it is a very interesting read. And how many times have we talked about "if we only had not cut David Akers, and then he goes on to be one of the best". If Rackers and Gano are the same age it's one thing, but if it's even close I think you have to go with the kid.

[RedskinParadigm]

I completely agree, Morneblade. If it's any sort of close call, we have to go with Gano. It's been so long since we've had a reliable, long-term kicker. Gano's youth may provide us with that opportunity.

[tibbidoe]

Absolutely agree with the article, and welcome to ExtremeSkins.

[stat2883]

I've got a semi-personal rooting interest for Graham, so I hope he pans out. But if its best for the team to part ways, then so be it.

[HTTR F Dallas]

I completely agree with the article... how could you not? Gano deserves atleast one more year to show he can be an excellent kicker. I'd almost be willing to give him 2 more, but to cut him and sign Rackers would be a mistake. We need a solid kicker in 3-6 years, where I think we'll see the best Redskins team on the field that we've seen in a long time.

[Bang]

Good! Somebody's been paying attenton.


Gano is our kicker. He should remain our kicker regardless of this 'competition' with Rackers.
His problems are not him.

~Bang

[Califan007]

You just happened to stumble across this article, huh? lol


At any rate, the article makes the same points I was making several years ago about field goal kickers...especially the aspect of how a lot of the stellar kickers started off slow when younger. The teams that stuck with promising young FG kickers through their early ups and downs tended to reap the benefits later.

[martytheman]

I hope Gano stays, he's young and improving, and will get better. He's not a robot and not perfect, he will miss/make mistakes from time to time.

People here seem to have some crazy vision of a kicker who makes 50 yarders every time without ever missing.
Cut the guy some slack, he's shown he is better than most at kickoffs and return yardage, he will grow into a 85-90% guy with time.[COLOR="Gold"]

[rookieskin]

Awesome write-up.

Deep down in my heart I hope the team will keep Gano regardless of the kicking competition results.

[Audible_Red40]

Boom.

Glad to see it. We all knew the numbers. My confidence grew a lot from his rookie year to his second year. Gano is the least of our worries.

[repo_4]

Good article. I agree with everyone else, if its a close competition you have to go with youth and the big leg. Besides, one bad day in practice shouldn't determine the competition.

[pjfootballer]

Gotta stick with Gano. His leg on kickoffs is worth it over Rackers. If Rackers were about 29 instead of 35, I'd say let the best man win, but he's gettig up there in age. I say stick with the kid.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Good! Somebody's been paying attenton.


Gano is our kicker. He should remain our kicker regardless of this 'competition' with Rackers.
His problems are not him.

~Bang

John, I've been right there with you on calling for the gum chewing dips head right through. Hell, even before you took up the baton and admirably made it your personal quest to have him removed (Something that the organization should of done years back without exasperated fans having to get involved IMHO), I was getting into countless arguments on here bringing up valid points on his failings in many facets of his job.

But outside of the 5 blocks last year, you can't lump Gano's other, often shocking misses like the 'chip shot automatic' kicks from inside the 30 on Smith. Or the directional kicking faux pas. No question the coach is a moron for going away from what had been working, but it's still another facet that Gano doesn't have to his game that's on him.

Regardless of the debate on Graham's worth or not, I can't go with laying all the blame at the Coach' door on oft mental eras from a kicker.

But regardless, welcome to this place of ours OP. Be prepared for your social life to be heavily impacted (it's quite the addiction); but it's always good to welcome new faces and fresh opinion.

Hail.

[DJD2]

That article makes a pretty compelling case for keeping Gano. I think he deserves at least one more year to see whether he progresses or regresses.