On Tuesday, it was announced that ten year veteran Greg Zuerlein has won the kicking competition in New York. Zuerlein beat out third year kicker Eddy Pinero for the starting job.
Zuerlein has done well in camp, hitting a 44 yard yard field goal through the uprights against Atlanta on Monday night. 2021 was a shaky season in Dallas for the veteran going 29/35 on field goals last year, as well as 42/48 on extra points.
Zuerlein has had accuracy issues in the past. Although, Zuerlein’s historically had a power leg his entire ten year career. He has consistently been able to pound in field goals in the 57-61 yard range throughout his tenure in the NFL. With teammates giving him nicknames like “Legatron” and “Greg the Leg” due to his power leg.
The New York Jets are in desperate need of a jolt at the kicking position. It’s been tough sledding at the position since they lost long time veteran Nick Folk after the 2016 season.
New York struggled mightily at kicker early in 2021. With former kicker Matt Amendola going just 13/19 on three point attempts. Kicking eventually stabilized late in the year with Pinero coming in going 8/8. However, there wasn’t much upside to the position with the long field goal of year coming from just 51 yards out.
Some may be a little surprised NYJ have decided to go this direction. Pinero was perfect on kicks in 2021 in New York, but there is a lot of upside to this move. Greg the Leg gives the team the upside to being able to score points on attempts up to 60 yards out that Pinero doesn’t. The Jets have been one of the worst offenses in the league over the last five seasons. They know they will need to manufacture points anyway they can. With this move that is exactly what the Jets are hoping Zuerlein can provide.
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