Latest news with #kicker
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh finally breaks silence on 'complicated' Justin Tucker release
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has finally addressed the release of Justin Tucker, three weeks after the franchise made the 'complex' decision to cut the kicker. The scandalized NFL star was released by the team earlier this month after his future was called into question following a number of shocking allegations. Earlier this year, the married football player was accused of sexual misconduct by 16 massage therapists from across eight spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore area. Tucker has denied any wrongdoing and previously branded the accusations 'shocking and heart-breaking'. But on May 5, the Ravens made the 'tough decision' to release him. Speaking for the first time since the release, head coach Harbaugh maintained Wednesday that the move was a 'football decision.' 'I mean, you're talking about arguably the best kicker in the history of the game,' Harbaugh said, via ESPN. 'And like we said, it's multi-layered [and] it's complicated. But in the end, it all comes back to what you have to do to get ready for your team to play the first game. And I think if you step back and you take a look at all the issues and all the ramifications, you can understand that we've got to get our football team ready and we've got to have a kicker to go. And that was the move that we decided to make.' "So in that sense, it's a football decision and now we have to spend all of our focus and our time to get these kickers ready,' he added following the Ravens' second OTA practice of the offseason. 'We've got a competition going on and [we've got to] get these guys ready to make kicks. So that's all I'm thinking about. From my perspective, it's like, 'We have to have a kicker out there making kicks,' and what's the best way to get that done?" In a statement announcing Tucker's release, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made no mention of the allegations, instead heaping praise on Tucker, a Super Bowl champion who had been with the Ravens since 2012. DeCosta's comments came under intense scrutiny. Among the allegations leveled against Tucker are that he repeatedly - and deliberately - exposed his erect genitals. Two therapists claim he brushed them with his penis. More than once, meanwhile, the kicker is accused of leaving what appeared to be ejaculate on the massage table. Back in February, it was reported that NFL investigators visited Baltimore to interview therapists who had made the bombshell claims about the Ravens kicker. Around the same time, DeCosta called the allegations 'serious and concerning' and refused to rule out terminating Tucker's contract. On Monday, however, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh insisted any decision on Tucker's future 'has to be based on football'. Tucker, 35, recently finished his 13th season in the NFL, all with the Ravens. His 66-yard field goal in 2021 remains the longest successful kick in league history. In 2022, he agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2027 season. That deal included $17.5million guaranteed. But in 2024, Tucker endured the worst season of his career and in this month's draft, Baltimore added kicker Tyler Loop to their roster. That decision sparked renewed speculation surrounding the future of Tucker, who insisted back in February: 'I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider. These claims are simply not true.' The alleged incidents are all said to have occurred between 2012 - Tucker's rookie season in Baltimore - and 2016. Tucker's wife Amanda Bass said she 'fully supports' her husband and believes he has been 'falsely' accused. The 35-year-old met Bass at the University of Texas before they married in 2015. They have one child together and she told Outkick: 'The false allegations against Justin have caused so much hurt to our family. I believe my husband, and I love and support him fully.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Giants might have a difficult decision to make at kicker
The New York Giants' special teams has been an inconsistent unit over the last several seasons. At one point, their ability to convert field goals was a major strength, however, after veteran Graham Gano signed on in the 2020 offseason. Gano's tenure with the Giants got off to a strong start. But over the last couple of seasons, his play has declined, as has his health. As a result, could his future with the team be in question? Graham Gano has been injured and struggling Upon joining the Giants in 2020, Gano became one of the team's most valuable players. He appeared in all 50 games for New York from 2020 through 2022, converting 91.8% (89-97) of his field goals in that span. Advertisement But in the subsequent two seasons, things have taken a turn for the worse. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Since 2023, Gano has converted just 71.4% of his field goal attempts (20-28) in 18 games played. He has missed 16 games due to injuries over those two seasons. Now, at 38 years old, could Gano's future in the Big Apple be coming into question? Could the Giants cut Gano and find a new kicker? The Giants currently have just $1.1 million in salary cap space, per Over The Cap. They have -$9 million in effective cap space, which is the cap space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class to its roster. Advertisement Essentially, the Giants need to make roster moves to free up more cap space. Gano, who has been struggling and injured, could become a cap casualty. He has a $5.6 million cap hit this season. New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks the game winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at State Farm Stadium Releasing Gano post June 1st could save the Giants $4.1 million in cap space, giving them great relief and helping them get back under the cap. However, the Giants would be unlikely to move on from Gano without first finding a worthy replacement (hence the citing of the post-June 1st release). The Giants could bring in competition for Gano during training camp. Whoever kicks best this summer could win the job. And if Gano's struggles continue, the Giants may have no choice but to move in a new direction. Advertisement Related Headlines
Associated Press
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Jets release kicker Greg Zuerlein, the latest veteran to depart in the team's youth movement
The New York Jets released kicker Greg Zuerlein on Friday, an expected move as the team continues to get younger on its revamped roster. The 37-year-old Zuerlein spent the past three seasons with the Jets, but his spot appeared tenuous. New general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn have made a concerted effort to add youth to the team. Zuerlein's release came three days after the Jets cut 39-year-old punter Thomas Morstead. New York has also moved on this season from a few other prominent veterans, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Davante Adams and linebacker C.J. Mosley. With Zuerlein gone, quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who turns 36 in August, is the oldest player on the Jets' roster. Taylor, who's expected to back up Justin Fields, is one of only three players on New York currently in their 30s, joining long snapper Thomas Hennessy, who turns 31 next month, and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (30). Backup offensive lineman Zack Bailey turns 30 in November and wide receiver Allen Lazard is 30 in December. The Jets will now likely have a kicking competition in training camp with Anders Carlson, who played in five games last season for New York while Zuerlein was sidelined, and Caden Davis, who was signed as an undrafted free agent last week out of Mississippi. Zuerlein played in only eight games last season as he struggled with knee injuries that landed him on the injured reserve list twice and inconsistency, making just nine of his 15 field-goal attempts. He was terrific for the Jets in his first two seasons in New York. In Week 13 of the 2022 season against Minnesota, Zuerlein set the franchise record with a 60-yard field goal. He also became the first Jets player to make three field goals of 50 or more yards in consecutive games, and was the third in franchise history to make two field goals of 50 or more yards in one game. In 2023, Zuerlein had arguably the best season by a Jets kicker in franchise history, going 35 of 38 on field-goal attempts — including going 5 of 6 from 50 yards or longer. He also set the team record with 26 consecutive fields goals made. Zuerlein spent his first eight seasons with the Rams after being a sixth-round draft pick out of Missouri Western in 2012 and was an All-Pro selection in 2017. He played two seasons in Dallas before joining the Jets in 2022. Zuerlein has made 82.2% of his field goals in his 13 NFL seasons and converted 95.6% of his extra point tries. The Jets signed defensive end Michael Fletcher, an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State who was in rookie camp as a tryout, to take Zuerlein's roster spot. ___ AP NFL:
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Beanpole ex-Premier League striker, 42, comes out of retirement for shock sport switch to Vikings American football team
Former Premier League striker Stefan Maierhofer has swapped goals for gridirons ... by becoming an American football star. The 6ft 7ins Austria international had a top-flight spell with Wolves, scoring once in 10 games before leaving in 2011. 2 2 He joined Bristol City on loan in 2010, and four years later had a brief stint with their Championship rivals Millwall. Former Bayern Munich youngster Maierhofer has also played for a host of German, Austrian and Slovak clubs. But the 42-year-old has now switched sports by joining the Vienna Vikings American football club. They compete in the European League of Football, and won the title in 2022. Maierhofer said: "I'm making my sporting comeback as a kicker in American football, and I'm going to play for Vienna Vikings in 2025. "From my first minute at the club I was clear in my mind that I wanted to join them. Everyone from the owner down to the equipment manager speaks with one voice. "Everything is all about success and respect, and that impressed me. I trained with the former NFL kicker, Giorgio Tavecchio, and worked on perfecting my technique. "I want to reach the 2025 final with the Vikings, and play in front of 50,000 American football fans." Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay said: "Stefan is a very tall man, extremely popular, and with a unique body language. "The transition from kicking a soccer ball to kicking a football is tough, but he is going tremendously well." Club owner Robin Lumsden added: "A number of prominent footballers wanted to play for us, and many found the trials difficult. "But it became clear very quickly that Stefan was the right man for us. He embodies our fighting mentality - he is highly professional and competitive."
Reuters
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Ravens sign undrafted kicker in wake of Justin Tucker release
May 13 - The Baltimore Ravens signed undrafted Wyoming kicker John Hoyland on Monday to compete with sixth-round draft pick Tyler Loop for the job previously held by Justin Tucker. The Ravens released Tucker on May 5 amid a league investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. In a statement thanking Tucker for his time in Baltimore, executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta called the release a football decision. Tucker is accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with several female massage therapists. Sixteen women have accused Tucker of misconduct at eight high-end spas in the Baltimore area from 2012-16. Tucker has twice publicly denied the allegations. Tucker was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro. The Ravens drafted Loop out of Arizona, and coach John Harbaugh originally said the position battle between Tucker and Loop would be based on football, as opposed to the outcome of the investigation into Tucker. Instead, the battle will be between two rookies. Hoyland was invited to the Ravens' rookie minicamp last week and impressed the team enough to be officially signed. Hoyland went 15-for-19 on field goals and 25-for-25 on extra point attempts in 2024, his fifth season kicking for Wyoming. --Field Level Media
