I don’t trust Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates in a big spot.
He can boom long field goals with the best of them, but is shaky at best on field goals that should be automatic. How does an NFL kicker push a 30-yard field goal as Bates did in the third quarter of the Lions 24-17 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday?
We were all mesmerized by the 60 plus yard field goals he made while playing for the Michigan Panthers. It made him a hot commodity around the NFL and among Lions fans who can sense the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
However, the Lions are more likely to need 40-yard field goals to advance through the playoffs than 60-yard field goals. Bates is a weapon. With his leg the potent Lions offense is a threat to score points every time they touch the ball.
But what’s the point of driving down to the 25-yard line when you don’t have confidence in your kicker converting a 42-yard field goal or hitting an extra point? He did hit a 46-yard field goal against the Steelers and a walk off 44-yard boot against Kansas City the week before.
Bates appears to be the last man standing, but the Lions kicking battle should not be over. I’d bring in more kickers this week and let them battle it out until the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
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For more from the author Terry Foster, check him out on Twitter here: @terryfosterdet
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