What's the Deal with Nate Kaeding?

[barrysloate]

For all the San Diego Charger fans out there- is it my imagination, or does Nate Kaeding never miss a field goal...from anywhere? He is an amazing player and should get some MVP consideration.

[autograf]

I'm not entirely sure but I think from somewhere in the mid-40's he hasn't missed a field goal for like 40-50 attempts. When I saw that one from 50-51 last night against my Bengals, I just didn't really even watch it. Split the uprights with more than enough to spare. Would have been good from 55-58. Definitely a HUGE plus for the Chargers who are Charging right now...............

[barrysloate]

I think it's something like 65 in a row from 40 or under...and yesterdays' game winner did look to be at least 58 yards.

[Scott T]

I am a Colts fan and want NOTHING to do with the Chargers in the playoffs. They seem to be peeking at the right time.

[autograf]

When the Colts take it on the chin, it seems like San Diego gets them all the time.

[Abravefan11]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I think it's something like 65 in a row from 40 or under...and yesterdays' game winner did look to be at least 58 yards.

Keading is a great kicker but his biggest opportunities are still to come I think. He has missed three field goals this season (42,43, and 55) and had an extra point blocked none of which made a difference in the outcome of a game so there isn't much made of them.

If I had a game on the line I would certainly be happy to know he is my kicker, but it really is a job where you're just as good as your last kick.

Ask Gary Anderson about 1998. He made 35 of 35 field goals and 59 of 59 extra points in the regular season. Then in the NFC title game he missed a 38 yard field goal with the Vikings up 27-20. Then the Falcons tie the game and win with a field goal in OT.

[abrahamrudy]

How about Nick Folk for some consideration? The guy ALMOST hit a chip shot last week!

-Angry Cowboys Fan.

[barrysloate]

I can still picture Anderson's missed field goal in that championship game...the Vikings were 15-1 that year, and had a 7 point lead when Anderson missed. Had he made it, the lead would have been 10 with not enough time for two scores. Amazing game.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Its not fair but nobody cares about kickers until they miss and then they usually lose their job.

[Ksquared]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

Its not fair but nobody cares about kickers until they miss and then they usually lose their job.

As a Chargers fan, I love "regular-season" Nate Kaeding. "Playoff" Nate Kaeding is a different person. He missed a field goal again the Jets in 2005 playoffs which cost them the game (40 yards). He missed a playoff field goal against the Patriots (game tying 54 yarder - end of game 2006) and missed field goals against Tennessee and Patriots in 2007. Missed 4 in a row in the playoffs!!

Great regular season kicker, but has to do more in the playoffs when they need him!

Jim

[chaddurbin]

barry,

most place kickers are not football players...so that would disqualify them from MVP consideration right there.

[barrysloate]

They may not be well rounded football players, but they still play professional football and are eligible. Doesn't matter, the MVP will either be P. Manning, Brees or Favre.

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

barry,

most place kickers are not football players...so that would disqualify them from MVP consideration right there.

I think the straight on kicker from the Redskins won the MVP in the 80's. Can't
remember his name at the moment.

[Abravefan11]

Mark Moseley baby! 1982

[Mikehealer]

Originally Posted by Abravefan11

Mark Moseley baby! 1982

Nice call, I couldn't recall his name.

[pclpads]

Originally Posted by chaddurbin

barry,

most place kickers are not football players...so that would disqualify them from MVP consideration right there.

Recall Alex Karras' mocking comment long ago on all the foreign kickers: "I keek touchdown!"

[howard38]

A ludicrous MVP selection. Moseley had a fine season but had only five field goals of 40 or more yards and none of 50+. Granted it was a nine game season but that's still not much better than a 40+ yarder every other game.

Wes chandler, Marcus Allen, Freeman McNeil...these are some of the guys that should have been considered.

[howard38]

Doh!

[barrysloate]

67 in a row, down the tubes.

[barrysloate]

So Kaeding misses three in a row in the most important game of the year. That's called choking.

[cfc1909]

Post #10 suggest it is a playoff choke. It was more than Keading that cost the game againt the Jets but the 2 shorter field goals would have won the game.

[barrysloate]

It's clear that with Kaeding being so accurate in the regular season, and then missing so many in the play-offs, it is a mental thing.