panthers kicker not given the boot

Well. it's official. Graham stays.

Posted on Wed, Oct. 02, 2002
Panthers stick with Graham
Team opts to give kicker another shot; Seder strikes out again
PAT YASINSKAS
Staff Writer


Although he missed a field-goal attempt that might have helped keep his team undefeated, Shayne Graham will kick for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday when they host the Arizona Cardinals.

There was wide-spread speculation Graham would be released after missing a 24-yard field-goal attempt with 16 seconds left in Sunday's 17-14 loss at Green Bay. But general manager Marty Hurney said Tuesday the team has decided to stick with Graham.

Former Dallas Cowboys kicker Tim Seder worked out for coaches Tuesday. Graham, who was signed Friday, also kicked separately Tuesday. Hurney said Graham's performance was good enough to prevent the Panthers from turning to their fourth kicker of the season.

Graham, a Virginia Tech product and the Big East's all-time leading scorer, will handle extra points and field goals against the Cardinals and Todd Sauerbrun, who also punts, will kick off. Graham, who made 6-of-8 field-goal attempts and all seven of his extra points while with Buffalo for the final six games of last season, was signed after the team gave up on Jon Hilbert.

The team signed Hilbert after kicker John Kasay's season-ending surgery for a severe groin pull.

Seder also had worked out with Hilbert, veteran Michael Husted and Jaret Holmes, who was with the Panthers in training camp, after Kasay's injury.

At the time, the Panthers elected to go with Hilbert because he showed the most leg strength.



If that's Fox's decision, then I'm sure it's the right one. I'm not going to question it like I did on Peete & Smith.

 

I think this is the right move. You can't continue to change kickers every week. Graham is a good kicker - he just needs to make a few. He gave no excuses for that miss, and I hope he makes ammends. God I do hope he makes his next attempt though!

This guy was a great kicker at VT. He can get the job done for us in the long run. Lets give the guy a legit shoot at rememption.

 

Yea, I'm up for that. The crowd will roar this week when he makes one (or one loud "whew!") I guess Fox sees some character in him that will make him bounce back.

Being that it's Arizona, we have a better chance to afford a missed FG than say a GB or New Orleans, but I don't think that went into the thinking.