Ricardo McDonald's Sportscity Blog

Former Cincinnati Bengal and Chicago Bears Line Backer Ricardo McDonald has joined the Sportscity.com team. Throughout each week, McDonald will bring his own perspective on all things NFL, from current games and news, to past experiences.

The Kicker

Written by Ricardo McDonald on January, 22nd 2008

The kicker has long been known as the forgotten man on most football rosters. They are usually small in stature, but pack a powerful punch. Normally on game day, they are usually in their own little world chewing gum or chompin’ on sunflower seeds and often playing golf, soccer, and cracking jokes during weekly practices. But these guys in my mind do not get enough credit for the job they do. Imagine that two teams have tussled and fought for 59 minutes and all of a sudden you are called onto the field to win the football game for the entire team, the fans, the city, management etc. – Everything is riding on your shoulders. Can any one say “pressure”?

I once heard the quote, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression!” How fitting is that for this situation. These gentlemen usually have a short memory because they could be in a game in which they are playing horribly, missing 3 field goals, and all of a sudden they are called on to win the game. What is his frame of mind? Are there voices in his head haunting, teasing and telling him that he can’t make it?

I use to feel sorry for kickers, because if they missed the game winning kick, they were the only name mentioned on Monday’s meeting as to the reason we lost the football game. Meanwhile there were over 100 plays, offensively and defensively that could have done just that.

I remember back in 1990, watching the Super Bowl - Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants. Both teams played their hearts out. The Bills had the ball for the last 3 minutes of the game. They ran the clock down to 7 seconds and then took a time out to get kicker, Scott Norwood, in the game to kick the field goal in order to win in their 2nd Super Bowl appearance. Scott kicked with all of his tenacity and strength and ball started right down the middle of the field. I just knew it was a for sure field goal and what a shame! It broke to the right and never came back. I remember thinking to myself, “That guy has to be one of sickest people in America right now.” Not only did he fail his teammates, but the fans, his family, management, everybody. Even himself! I would not have wanted to be him.

I saw a statistic that said 70% of all NFL games are won or loss within the final 5 minutes of most football games. Once you get in the playoffs, it is even more vital that you have a kicker that is accurate. That’s why the Indianapolis Colts paid Adam Vinetierti so much money, because they knew that if they were ever in a close game “win/lose” situation, they would have someone reliable.

The NFC Championship playoff game over the weekend showed how important it is to have a good kicker. The kicker for the Giants was either going to be a hero or a goat. Fortunately for him, he made the field goal, which gave them the win over Green Bay and clinched a spot in the 2008 Super Bowl!

In closing, I would challenge everyone to take a moment to understand the pressure that a kicker is under. He’s not the darling of the offense or the vocal leader of the defense, but he is called upon week end and week out to perform. Unfortunately, he doesn’t always get another chance to make that first impression. There are no other downs after fourth down....

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