NFC South Position Rankings – Kicker
By Ken Boehlke
Dec 16, 2012; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) kicks a field goal during the second half at The Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Giants 34-0. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports
In an effort to decide which team will win the NFC South in 2013, I’ve decided to rank the four players in the division at each of the 11 positions on offense, 11 on defense, punter, place kicker, and one specialist. Each team will have one representative at each position and will be given points based on where their player lands in relation to the others who play the same position in the division. The best player in the division will receive four points while the worst will receive just one. We will then tally the points up, and come up with the a ranking of the four teams in the NFC South.
Today we have the ever important position, kicker.
#1 – Matt Bryant – Atlanta Falcons – 4 points
When the Buccaneers let Matt Bryant walk, I thought they were making a big mistake. I would have turned out to be correct, if it weren’t for Connor Barth doing as well as he has since Bryant left. But, now Barth is out, and Bryant is in Atlanta. Clearly the best kicker in the division, not much to argue here. Experience, statistics, you name it, Bryant out does the rest of the South.
Tie #2 – Garrett Hartley – New Orleans Saints – 2 points
Did I cop out and call it a three way tie, yeah, probably. But you tell me which one of these three should be ranked where (go ahead, there’s a comment section down there) All three guys are seemingly the same. None are great, but none seem to be a glaring problem.
Tie #2 – Lawrence Tynes – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2 points
If Barth hadn’t gone out, he would have been tied with Bryant. But he’s out for the year, and now the Bucs have the Giants reject. He’s actually a lot better than I thought, but he still misses more than Barth, so it’s certainly a downgrade.
Tie #2 – Graham Gano – Carolina Panthers – 2 points
You are still reading this? The kicker rankings. In all seriousness, Gano is not good, but he’s not the worst and certainly not any worse than Hartley or Tynes. I bet you one of these three loses a big game for their team at some point this year. If only I could have predicted who, and put them in a solid last.
The rankings are now complete. Be sure to check out the NFC South Position Rankings roundup to see point totals and observations based on the rankings.
Offense – QB | RB | WR1 | WR2 | TE | LT | LG | C | RG | RT | X
Defense – LDE | LDT | RDT | RDE | SLB | MLB | WLB | CB1 | CB2 | SS | FS