Hauschka is the man!

[BigMeach]

I know there has been back and forth about getting a new kicker. But I think he made a statement today. I'm so glad we kept this guy.

 

[hawks4thewin]

WIN WIN

 

[sutz]

Yeah, I remember posters all over him in the offseason. I think the team made the right decision.

 

[HawkFanNC]

Money on the FGs, and his kickoffs seem to be touchbacks more often than they were last year. Glad they kept him around.

 

[-The Glove-]

Well to be fair to those that weren't sold on Haushka last year...he has improved a hell of a lot this past offseason. His leg strength is noticeably stronger and he's been money so far.

 

[sutz]

Yeah, I don't recall a lot of good returns on kickoffs so far this year. Mostly like you say, TB's.

 

[The Outfield]

He improved immensely over the off season. Too bad we didn't sign him to a longer contract. If he continues like this, he won't be cheap to re-sign. However, I'll enjoy him while we have him.

 

[Evil_Shenanigans]

The only thing he missed this year was the 61 yarder in Pre-season! MONEY!

 

[Seanhawk]

To be fair, I think most people wanted a replacement due to Pete's unwillingness to kick field goals from 50+ and assuming that was an indictment on Hauschka's range. It may have been partly that and he likely improved his range in the off season, but I think the majority of it was just Pete's plan to try and put team's on a longer field with the quality of defense we had, not to mention having a rookie QB. Hauschka has always been money inside of 50 and this pre-season showed that he has more than enough leg from 50+.

 

[hawkpride]

Dude is money, what else can you say.

 

[sutz]

To be fair, I think most people wanted a replacement due to Pete's unwillingness to kick field goals from 50+ and assuming that was an indictment on Hauschka's range. It may have been partly that and he likely improved his range in the off season, but I think the majority of it was just Pete's plan to try and put team's on a longer field with the quality of defense we had, not to mention having a rookie QB. Hauschka has always been money inside of 50 and this pre-season showed that he has more than enough leg from 50+.

Yeah, there were some assumptions being made about the why of not kicking long FGs.

 

[HawkFan72]

i don't know what he did this offseason, but he got a lot better.

 

[HawkWow]

I think the majority of it was just Pete's plan to try and put team's on a longer field with the quality of defense we had, not to mention having a rookie QB. Hauschka has always been money inside of 50 and this pre-season showed that he has more than enough leg from 50+.

Haushka's nemesis wears #9. Ryan is just clutch. When you have a punter of his quality, on top of the defense you mention above, the conservative Pete prefers to create a long field to kicking FGs. Pinning the opposition inside the 10 is awesome, Pete...until they get a 1st down. Then it just looks like a missed opportunity to put 3 pts on the board. Pete's approach has cost us a game or two, but more times than not, Pete makes the right call and you can find fault in any coach.

IMO, Haushka is a pro-bowl caliber kicker, we are fortunate to have him and I'd like to see Pete truly trust this awesome D by letting Haushka attempt more FGs.