What's the Stover situation?
Now that the Super Bowl is over, we can get back to focusing on the Ravens and their offseason plans.
We've discussed Ray Lewis and the linebackers, we've discussed Jim Leonhard and the safeties, so now let's focus on a guy who has been with the Ravens/Browns almost as long as some current Ravens have been alive.
Matt Stover entered the 2008 season as the 2nd-most accurate kicker in NFL history (83.8%), and he battled back from a tough start to the season to post decent stats on the year (27-for-33, 81.8%).
Stover is a Ravens institution - he's been in Baltimore since the beginning, he won a ring in 2000, he was voted as the franchise's greatest player on ESPN.com.
But he's now 41. His leg isn't what it used to be.
This year, his field goals maxed out at around 47-48 yards. He was taken off kickoff duties. The Ravens had to carry two kickers on their 45-man roster on gamedays for most of the season.
The team had strong-legged rookie Steven Hauschka handle any field goals outside Stover's range, and he showed promise in his limited action. Hauschka connected from 54 yards out mid-way through the season, and he posted the seventh-best kickoff average in the league.
Stover is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so he's got some choices to make. After the Ravens' loss to the Steelers a couple weeks back, the 19-year vet was asked if retirement was an option.
"Retirement has been an option for 10 years," Stover said with a laugh. "My family will come first, so if that needs to be done, it needs to be done. But right now, I'm going to take some time off and we'll see where we land in March and see what the Ravens want to do and see what else is out there in the league too."
On a team that values field position and special teams play, Stover's lack of leg strength definitely cuts into what head coach John Harbaugh wants to do, hence Hauschka's presence. But carrying two kickers can hurt the team in other areas.
We saw in the AFC Championship game how thin Baltimore's secondary was (they had rookie safety Haruki Nakamura see a couple snaps at cornerback), and if Hauschka wasn't needed, the team could've added another DB to help provide some depth.
It's hard to say if the Ravens would stick with the two kicker strategy again next season. If not, assuming Stover wants to give it one more go, would they bring him back and sacrifice the 5+ yards on field goal tries and 4-5 yards on kickoffs?
Here's an even juicer question: Would they let Stover walk and hand the reigns over to Hauschka?
The rookie impressed the coaching staff this season, but I'm not sure if they're ready to make him their full-time guy yet. Also, it would be incredibly tough to ignore Stover -- a guy who has meant so much to this franchise and community for so long.
For his part, Harbaugh said a couple of weeks ago that he wants to see Stover back in the Purple and Black next season.
"He's [41] years old, he's a free agent, and he's still a really good kicker," Harbaugh said. "We're not really too interested in weakening ourselves if we don't have to, but that remains to be determined as well.
"If we can bring him back, we will, and if we can't we're going to have to move in another direction."
There are a lot of questions surrounding the Ravens this offseason, but I think this might be one of the more intriguing and underrated areas. Stover might make all this a moot point by announcing he's hanging up the cleats, but if not, let's keep an eye on Ozzie Newsome and see what direction the Ravens decide to go.
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |
This is sure a tough one. It would be easiest of Stover just hangs them up for good...but for some reason I don't see it. But the facts are roster sports are scarce and carrying 2 kickers is a luxury and would be better spent carrying a position player that gets more than say 5 snaps a game. Hauschka did impress and there are lot of rookies that start out as rookies. I think he'd do just fine.
If Stover wants to play then Harbaugh has a tough decision.
Dan,
Another one of the tough decisions Ozzie has to make in the offseason. I would say that we need to go with Hauschka. I do not envy Ozzie Newsome right now. Of course you know if he gets rid of someone and their replacement plays less than perfect, everyone will say Ozzie made a bad decision. It'll be like that with the Landry/Leonhard deal...if we keep one and get rid of the other, the one we keep has to be outstanding or else.
I'm certainly not for keeping two kickers on the roster if we can use that spot on more help. We all love Matt. But I think we should go with Hauschka, especially since Matt will probably lose a little more range in the offseason. It's very noticeable when we're at the 30-yard line and we still are iffy about having Matt kick the field goal since that's about his max range now.
One thing's for sure: Ozzie will certainly earn his money this offseason. But for once...he doesn't have to focus on QB.
An unrelated question: Houshmanzadeh...what about trying to pick him up? It may be a long shot, but I don't believe he's making receiver money (not yet at least), and we could very well be in the mix. It wouldn't be like he already has a ridiculous contract and he would just want more (ahem, Terrell Owens); we'd be bidding on him as many other teams probably would be.
Just thought I'd throw that name out there.
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Robert,
T.J. is a name that's been tossed around a bit this season, and he's definitely an option, but I think the Ravens might look in another direction. You're right, he doesn't make top-wideout money yet, which makes him an interesting option in this offseason where money will be so tight, but I'm not sure he's a top-wideout guy. He does very well as a solid #2 receiver, but if Baltimore can grab a guy like Hakeem Nicks (UNC), Kenny Britt (Rutgers) or the local boy, Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland), they might prefer to go that route.
-Dan
We were hampered all year because of bad field position resulting from Stover's kickoffs. I will always love him, but it's time to get younger at that position. We made it very far by carrying two kickers on the roster, but at the end of the season, we could have benefited from having some extra DBs during the playoffs. Since Hauschka was undrafted, bring in some other kickers during camp and let them duke it out for the job. We have to garner more touchbacks next season.
I hate to say this but he's got to go, and I think everyone knows that. Emotion can not play a role in this decision and he just doesn't the leg anymore. He's been wonderful, but time marches on.
Hey Dan-
Solid analysis. What do you think of the draft? Personally, I want the Ravens to grab Heyward-Bey. Gamechanging speed, and he's a local dude. Your thoughts?
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Isaac,
Their major needs are at wideout and corner. Heyward-Bey would be a great fit, and his local ties (not only did he go to UMD, but he's also from Silver Spring) are a plus. Also look for them to add a guy or two along the O-line. I'll address more details and look at specific guys as we creep closer.
-Dan
Dan-
Thanks. I write for an amateur site called Bleacher Report, I'm in the process of an article right now. I feel our line is among the best in the league as far as young talent.
Gaither Grubbs and Brown is a beast line. Thoughts?
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Isaac,
Just checked out your site -- good stuff. Looks like you guys have all the bases covered. You're right about the Ravens' line; lots of young talent. Gaither battled through injuries and made great strides this year and Grubbs quietly had a solid season as well. If the Wizzard of Oz can resign Brown, that would be huge, and don't forget about Marshal Yanda, who should be back at full strength next season.
John Harbaugh mentioned that rookies Oniel Cousins and David Hale impressed him this season, but Ozzie still needs to add some more depth across the line for insurance.
-Dan
Dan-
I don't know, something tells me that Ozzie is turning the team into an offensive firepower. A promising QB in Flacco, three great halfbacks, likely a tall, fast, playmaking WR in the first round and that o-line. Did you actually read the exact article I wrote?
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Isaac,
Yup. I agree, things are definitely looking up for the Baltimore O.
-Dan
And I think if anything, the return of Hue Jackson helps. It would be tough for Flacco to come back with a different coach in his second year in NFL>