Who Is The Worst Kicker In The NFL?
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We all know there are some bad kickers in the NFL. But who is the worst of the worst? We take a look at the contenders for the title of worst kicker in the NFL.
NFL History
Since the NFL began in 1920, there have been many great players, but there have also been some not-so-great players. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the worst kickers in NFL history.
The first NFL game
The first NFL game was played on October 3, 1920, between the Racine Cardinals and the Chicago Tigers at Cubs Park (now Wrigley Field) in Chicago. The Cardinals won the game 7-6.
The NFL was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). In 1922, the APFA changed its name to the National Football League (NFL).
The first NFL touchdown
In the first NFL game ever played, which was on October 3, 1920, the team scored a touchdown. The player who caught the touchdown pass was Jim Thorpe, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all time.
The first NFL field goal
On November 8, 1883, Pudge Heffelfinger became the first professional football player when he was paid $500 by the Allegheny Athletic Association to play in a game against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. In that game, Heffelfinger picked up a fumble and ran 35 yards for a touchdown. The first NFL touchdown!
The Worst NFL Kickers
In the NFL, there are some very talented kickers. These guys can make some of the most incredible field goals that you will ever see. However, there are also some kickers who are absolute garbage. These are the guys who miss easy field goals, get their kicks blocked, and just generally make a mess of things. So, who is the worst kicker in the NFL?
The worst NFL kicker of all time
There have been many bad NFL kickers over the years, but there is one who stands out above the rest as the worst of all time. That kicker is Geoff Hangartner, who played for the Buffalo Bills from 2009 to 2012.
In his four seasons with the Bills, Hangartner missed 24 of his 92 field goal attempts, which is a staggering 26.1 percent success rate. He also missed five of his 46 extra point attempts, for a success rate of just 89.1 percent.
Hangartner’s atrocious kicking record led to him being released by the Bills after the 2012 season. He has not played in the NFL since then, and it’s safe to say that he will never kick in the league again.
The worst NFL kicker in 2020
Looking at the NFL’s history, it’s hard to find a worse kicker than … well, whoever the worst kicker is in 2020. This season has been nothing short of disastrous for kickers, with missed field goals and extra points becoming all too common. In fact, kickers have missed so many kicks this season that they’re on pace to set a new record for most misses in a single season.
So who is the worst kicker in the NFL in 2020? While there are a few contenders, one name stands out above the rest: Zane Gonzalez of the Arizona Cardinals.
Gonzalez has missed an astounding 11 kicks this season, including four field goals and three extra points in a Week 10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also missed two field goals and an extra point in a Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions. Overall, he’s converting just 73.3 percent of his field goal attempts and 58.3 percent of his extra point attempts, both of which are last in the NFL.
What’s even more impressive (or disappointing, depending on how you look at it) is that Gonzalez has missed more kicks than any other kicker in the NFL despite having one of the league’s strongest legs. He has a career-long field goal of 63 yards and once made all seven of his field goal attempts in a single game.
Unfortunately for Cardinals fans, it doesn’t look like Gonzalez is going to be turning things around anytime soon. He’s already been released by the team once this season and was reportedly close to being released again after Week 10. If he can’t get his act together, he may not be kicking in the NFL for much longer.
The worst NFL kicker in 2019
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it largely depends on personal opinion. However, some of the worst NFL kickers in 2019 include Cairo Santos of the Chicago Bears, Daniel Carlson of the Oakland Raiders, and Cody Parkey of the Cleveland Browns. All three of these players have missed a significant number of field goals and/or extra points this season, costing their teams valuable points in close games. If you’re looking for a specific name to put to this title, Parkey is probably your best bet. He has missed an NFL-leading 14 field goal attempts and 2 extra point attempts this season, contributing heavily to the Browns’ struggles.
Why Are They The Worst?
There are a few reasons why the worst kicker in the NFL is the way they are. They could have had a bad game, or they could have missed a few key kicks that cost their team the game. They might also have a lower success rate than other kickers in the NFL. Whatever the reason, they are the worst kicker in the NFL right now.
Lack of practice
Kickers are often the most underrated and unappreciated players on an NFL team. They don’t get the same glory as the quarterbacks or the running backs, but when it comes to game-winning field goals, they are the ones who usually get the job done.
However, there are some kickers who just can’t seem to get it right. They miss important field goals, extra points, and sometimes they even get themselves booed by their own fans. So, who is the worst kicker in the NFL?
There are a few contenders for this title, but one name that always seems to come up is Billy Cundiff. Cundiff had a rough 2012 season with the Baltimore Ravens, missing eight field goal attempts and costing his team several games. He was eventually released by the Ravens after just one season.
Other kickers who have been mentioned as being the worst in the NFL include David Akers, Mason Crosby, and Josh Brown. All of these kickers have missed important kicks that have cost their teams games. However, Akers and Crosby have both been to Pro Bowls, so they definitely have more talent than Cundiff.
So, who is the worst kicker in the NFL? It’s hard to say for sure, but based on recent performances, it seems like Billy Cundiff might be the leading contender for this title.
Poor technique
There are many factors that can contribute to a kicker’s poor performance, but one of the most common is poor technique. This can be anything from a bad leg swing to improper foot placement, and it can have a big impact on the accuracy and distance of your kicks.
Of course, technique is not the only factor that can affect a kicker’s performance. Other factors such as weather conditions, the quality of the playing surface, and even the pressure of the situation can all play a role. However, if a kicker consistently shows poor technique, it is likely that he will continue to struggle regardless of these other factors.
Mental errors
In any sport, mental errors are costly. They often end up costing athletes and teams points, games, or championships. In the NFL, mental errors can be even more costly because of the physical nature of the sport. A missed tackle can result in a touchdown; a dropped pass can result in an interception. But perhaps the most costly mental error in the NFL is a missed kick.
A missed kick is not only costly in terms of points, but it also costs the team momentum and can deflate the team’s energy. A missed kick can also swing the field position in favor of the opposing team, giving them better field position to score. The worst part about a missed kick is that it is often preventable.