Report: Kicker Neil Rackers Visiting With Baltimore Ravens
by Andrew602 on Mar 23, 2010 1:32 PM MDT
in NFL Offseason/Free Agency
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Arizona Cardinals kicker Neil Rackersis currently an unrestricted free agent, and since free agency has begun, Rackers' name is remained relatively unmentioned. Recently however, the team reportedly had interest in resigning him. After no progress was seemingly made, the Cardinals brought in free agent kicker Jay Feely over this past weekend.
Now it's being reported that Rackers is visiting with the Baltimore Ravens:
The Ravens also have spoken with Neil Rackers, per a league source. They are definitely exploring the kicker market, but no action yet. Per Ravens' Insider Adam Wilson
It's been an interesting turn of events so far and a change at kicker might just be another move the front office is contemplating. Rackers has been with the Cardinals since 2003 and made the pro bowl in '05. Last season he was 16/17 with field goals, but struggled mightily on the playoffs when he missed a would-be game-winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter against the Packers. He went on to miss another field goal in the loss to the New Orleans Saintsin the next round. Now Rackers can become the second Cardinal to join Baltimore after wide receiver Anquan Boldin was traded there earlier this month.
Rackers has been notoriously known for botching clutch kicks, but makes up for the misfortune with the intangibles he brings to the team. GM Rod Graves has already shaken up the roster and even stated the team was not "wedded" to resigning Rackers because of his past issues with clutch kicks. Either way it seems that we'll know very soon if Rackers will remain a Cardinal next season.
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His struggles were because of an injury.
If he is healed up, I would like to see him come back.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
by JoeCB1991 on Mar 23, 2010 2:17 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Agree
Couldnt imagine trying to kick a ball with a groin injury. For a kicker Rackers is a tough guy and plays tough. Dont know who they’d bring in that could do a better job. This seems to be a popular game players and teams play now. Players visit another team to jack up the price, teams bring in another player to try and lower the price
by Dem_Cardz on Mar 23, 2010 3:22 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
I
don’t think he can command that much of a price from the Cardinals. They proved they are not willing to pay extreme amounts of money if they can get someone else for the job. The groin injury plays in to a bit but he has missed being perfectly healthy. Even with being as accurate as he can be, he needs to hit critical field goals. I would rather have a kicker in place to win than to miss.
The injury isn't even the biggest reason
I’ve heard the FO and coaches were mad that he didn’t tell them about the pain and that they cut Nugent because they thought he was completely healed.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Yes I heard that too
and that was his bad, he should have let Nugent play more games. Well what other kicker out there is going to do a better job than Rackers, if he’s not 100% healthy?
Bring him back!
For one, we’re not getting anybody near as good to replace him. For two, he suits the mentality of who the Cardinals are now to a ‘T’.
I’m really hoping bringing Feely in and his visit to Baltimore is all jockeying for negotiating leverage.
Bill or Martin?
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Mar 23, 2010 7:19 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Bye Bye choker Neil
BUT HE MAKES SPECIAL TEAMS TACKLES!!!!!!!!!
Ah nothing like an inflammatory post title. It just seemed a little too unanimous in here. He’s a decent kicker in my opinion, but certainly replaceable, especially at his age.
When our next kicker actually makes a kick with the game on the line, I wont say I told you so.
You just might
But don’t be surprised if our new kicker whiffs on a wide open tackle on his way to the endzone and somebody here throws it in your face. ; )
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Keep Rackers
I say keep Neil Rackers. He’s not only a pro bowl caliber kicker, he’s a beast. He’ll tackle on special teams. Most kickers act like bullfighters when a player’s coming at them. So he’s missed a few clutch field goals, who hasn’t? I don’t think we’ll find anybody any better to replace him. Good kickers aren’t a dime a dozen these days.
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