49ers K Jake Moody looking to make massive change to his approach in 2025
49ers K Jake Moody looking to make massive change to his approach in 2025
Ahead of the 2023 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers selected Michigan kicker Jake Moody in the third round (No. 99 overall) of the draft after two All-Big Ten and All-American campaigns that saw him earn the Big Ten Kicker of the Year Award twice.
As a rookie, Moody beat out veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez, whom the 49ers traded for earlier that offseason, for the starting job. Moody went on to make 21 of his 25 field goals (84%) and a league-high 60 of his 61 extra point attempts (98.4%).
Unfortunately, in 2024, Moody wasn't as strong, making just 24 of his 34 field goals (70.6%) and 32 of his 33 extra point attempts (97.0%) while dealing with an ankle injury that actually cost him time during the season.
Now, as Moody prepares for his third year in the NFL, he's switching up his kicking approach, telling The Athletic's Vic Tafur this offseason that he's going from three steps before the kick down to two.
'It's been going great,' Moody said. 'Obviously, when you have been doing something since the sixth grade, it was definitely challenging at the start. I had to keep telling myself to stick with it.'
Tafur also spoke with Moody's longtime kicking coach, Brandon Kornblue, who gave some insight into the changes that the two started implementing back in March.
'You have to be careful when you change something like that, because he had been so successful for so long with the three steps,' Kornblue said. 'Jake and I had talked about doing this in the past, but because he was kicking so well, I didn't feel like it was smart. But then with the injury and all that, he felt comfortable with the change.'
Moody was rather plain with his description of the switch.
'I felt like I've had some inconsistencies with my first jab step,' Moody said. 'So I figured if I just get rid of that step altogether and I just take two steps instead of the three, it's less room for error.'
The coach and player are aiming to make sure the kicks stay consistent while they worry about accuracy over distance, at this point. Moody has plenty of leg, and this change could see him return to the kicker he was in 2023.
After the struggles last year, the 49ers have brought in competition for Moody this offseason. He'll have to beat out veteran kicker Greg Joseph, who has made 116 of his 141 field goals (82.3%) and 112 of his 124 extra points (90.3%) in his six seasons in the NFL split between the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and Washington Commanders.
Last season, Joseph made just 16 of his 20 field goals (80%), so there's a considerable difference between the two. If Moody doesn't outshine Joseph, he could end up losing his job.
More 49ers: 49ers EDGE predicted to take home hardware after first NFL season
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers to debut with Giants at DH, happy to do so: 'I am here to play wherever they want me to play'
Rafael Devers is officially a San Francisco Giant. And he doesn't care where on the field he plays. The Giants introduced their new star slugger on Tuesday, two days after acquiring Devers in a trade from the Boston Red Sox. The deal took place after a public falling out in Boston in which the Red Sox removed Devers from his longtime position at third base and put him at designated hitter. Advertisement Devers isn't projected to play at third in San Francisco, either. That job belongs to five-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman. But Devers isn't worried about it. And he'll be the designated hitter for his Giants debut against the Guardians on Tuesday. Here's what he had to say on the subject at his introductory news conference. "I'm here to give my 100 percent," Devers said through his interpreter. "I don't put any buts. They're the men in charge. "I am here to play wherever they want me to play." Third-base fallout in Boston Had Devers provided the same answer to the same question in Boston, he might still be a member of the Red Sox. Instead, he's taking a new approach with his new team that acquired him to compete in a loaded NL West. Advertisement Before joining the Giants, Devers played his entire eight-plus season MLB career with the Red Sox. He's a four-time All-Star who very well could earn his fifth selection this season. He was the last remaining player on the roster from Boston's 2018 World Series championship team. But the relationship between Devers and the Red Sox grew strained this winter after Boston acquired third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency. That signing presented the Red Sox with an obvious baseball decision. Bregman is a Gold Glove third baseman. Devers, by multiple advanced metrics, is one of the worst third basemen in the sport. The obvious move was to place Bregman at third and move Devers — an All-Star slugger — to designated hitter. But Devers made clear in no uncertain terms during spring training that he had zero desire to cede third base to Bregman. 'Third base is my position,' Devers said in February, per 'It's what I've played. I don't know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear, kind of what my desires were, and whatever happens from here, I don't know.' Advertisement Devers then responded "no" when asked if he was open to playing designated hitter. Rafael Devers is slated to start his Giants career as San Francisco's designated hitter. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Ultimately, Red Sox manager Alex Cora made the proper baseball decision, and Bregman took over at third. Devers, the veteran leader of the clubhouse, was moved to designated hitter against his wishes. Devers might not have been happy with the move. But he continued to perform, with a .272/.401/.504 slash line with 15 home runs and 58 RBI through 73 games. Then came Sunday's stunning news. A Red Sox team in the midst of a five-game winning streak and in the thick of the AL playoff race dealt Devers to the Giants. Why did the Red Sox trade Devers? Despite his dissatisfaction, Devers reportedly did not demand a trade. It added up to a stunning decision by the Red Sox that prompted questions Monday for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and CEO Sam Kennedy. 'We worked at it, we had a different vision for him going forward than he had," Kennedy told reporters during the news conference. "We couldn't get there, what we felt we needed from him that would be in the best interest of the ball club. Advertisement Breslow floated the idea that trading Devers for pitchers Jordan Hicks (4.23 career ERA) and Kyle Harrison (4.48 career ERA) and some minor leaguers would make the Red Sox better this season. 'I do think there's a real chance that at the end of the season, we're looking back, and we've won more games than we otherwise would have," he said. As for whether Devers requested a trade, Breslow said this: 'There were times during the course of conversations with Raffy's camp where they had indicated that perhaps a fresh start would be best for both sides,' Breslow said. 'And we were committed to trying to work through this." Whatever the reason, the Red Sox are moving into a new era focused on rookie slugger Roman Anthony and other top prospects. With Devers in San Francisco, the Red Sox are off the hook for the remaining eight-plus years of his 10-year, $313.5 million contract.
Fox Sports
14 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
As Son of a Super Bowl Champ, Alex Freeman Standing Out For U.S. Men's Team
When Alex Freeman walked onto the field for his U.S. men's national team debut against Turkiye on June 7, his father admitted to having tears in his eyes. "It just gives me chills," former All-Pro wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman said. "He has on a USA jersey. He's representing his country. That's probably the top level of recognition you could possibly get." With Sergiño Dest still regaining fitness after a torn ACL, the 20-year-old started at right back Sunday in the Americans' opening win over Trinidad and Tobago at the Concacaf Gold Cup. He is among the young players hoping to impress coach Mauricio Pochettino as he considers next year's World Cup roster. Freeman's ascent has been unexpected. He played just 11 minutes of first-team league soccer before this season. "Alex, to be honest, I had no idea who you were before you got called up," American midfielder Luca de la Torre said Tuesday, turning toward Freeman and smiling during a news conference. Now 53, Antonio played nine seasons in the NFL, making the All-Pro team in 1998 and winning the 1997 Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. "Growing up I always got asked if football was the path, but when I was younger I always had a secret love for soccer," Alex said. Check out Alexi Lalas and the "FOX Soccer" crew reacting to the USMNT's victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the Gold Cup! He also played basketball as a kid. Alex's mom rejects the notion she directed him away from American football. "The real story is Alex didn't want to play football and he didn't want to tell his dad that," Rochelle Hinkle said. "They all use me as an excuse. He just wanted to make his own lane and his own path. He didn't have, I guess, the words to say it then." Alex played for youth teams at Weston FC, near his home in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Plantation. He wanted to play for Inter Miami's youth academy but was turned down. Freeman was then recruited for Orlando City's academy by Javier Carrillo, his former Weston coach. "Without him taking me in, maybe I might not be where I am today," Alex said. "Obviously moving at the age of 15 was something that was hard for me, being away from my family and everything, but I feel like it made me grow up fast and I feel that that's something that I needed to do." He moved to Orlando in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. "I still have PTSD from that 'cause I wasn't done raising him," his mother said. Freeman debuted for Orlando City B in the third-tier MLS Next Pro on March 26, 2022, and played his first match for the senior team in Major League Soccer on April 29, 2023, entering in second-half stoppage time. He had two more substitute MLS appearances last year, totaling 10 minutes, then took over as starting right back this season from Dagur Dan Thórhallsson. "Alex is player with little experience, but in soccer the desire, the capacity and the talent usually rise above experience," Pochettino said. "The reports we got on him were really good." Freeman is competing for likely two right back roster spots with Dest, Joe Scally, Nathan Harriel, Bryan Reynolds, Shaq Moore and Marlon Fossey. Pochettino envisions narrowing his focus from a current group of 60 players when he makes roster selections for autumn friendlies. "These camps, these games, I feel like it's just motivation for me to earn Pochettino's trust," Freeman said. Alex credits his dad for teaching him training, eating and lifestyle habits. Years ago, they used to kick around a ball together. Not anymore. "At that point I realized: You're going to hurt yourself out here," Antonio said. "We might shoot around some basketballs in the backyard, shoot some three-pointers or something, but nothing soccer related." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! Alexi Lalas and David Mosse reacted to the USMNT's dominant 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago. They broke down how Pochettino's squad came to play behind strong performances from Malik Tillman and Diego Luna. Lastly, they discussed whether Patrick Agyemang or Haji Wright deserved the starting striker position next match. recommended Get more from United States Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson defends Mark Andrews from online criticism after playoff drop
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) speaks to media after an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) speaks to media after an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) speaks to media after an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) speaks to media after an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) speaks to media after an NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Lamar Jackson said he never gets over losses. And he also dislikes fans criticizing one of his teammates online. After the Baltimore Ravens' first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Jackson called out the social media criticism directed at tight end Mark Andrews following the tight end's crucial drop in January's playoff defeat to the Buffalo Bills. Advertisement 'I've been seeing my guy getting talked about, and I really don't like that, because he's done so much for us,' Jackson said of Andrews, who let a potential game-tying, 2-point conversion pass slip through his hands in a 27-25 loss in the divisional round. 'He's done so much for us, and how people did him, I just don't like that. Cause Mark's still Mark.' The criticism that Andrews received prompted speculation the Ravens might trade the three-time Pro Bowler before the final season of a four-year, $56 million deal. That hasn't happened, and Andrews was with the team to begin optional team activities last month, when he also spoke to reporters about the play. In Andrews' defense, Jackson was quick to mention the two turnovers he committed during the first half that helped Buffalo take a 21-10 halftime lead. Advertisement 'People were trying to dog him on comments and stuff,' Jackson said. 'And he's accomplished so much. For us, for himself. So I just feel like, let things happen sometimes. We wish we would've won the game. I wish I didn't throw that interception. I wish I didn't fumble. I wish the (conversion) mishap didn't happen. But it happened. Lesson learned, man.' Jackson was visibly upbeat on Tuesday in his first session with reporters since his postgame news conference in Buffalo. And he expressed awe of his newest receiving option, 33-year-old DeAndre Hopkins, who signed a one-year, $6-million deal with Baltimore in March. 'He's different, man,' Jackson said. 'I threw him, like, a shallow (cross) today. He caught the ball so smooth, got up. I don't even think he put his other hand on the ground to get up. He just caught the ball and start running. I'm like, 'Bro, that's some vet-type stuff. Like some super-vet-type stuff.'' Advertisement And he suggested there's no point in trying to erase the pain from the latest in a string of frustrating playoff defeats during his career. 'I don't think I get over any loss, to be honest,' Jackson said. 'I've got losses from youth football that still haunt me. So I never get over a loss. I don't care how small it might be to someone else or how great it might be. It's always the same for me." ___ AP NFL:
