Texans sign kicker Shayne Graham

solid competition (assuming he came cheaply...seems like solid for cheap is what i mean). we'll see who wins it--i'm sure we'll keep bullock even if graham (somehow) wins

 

seems to be just a mentor to lean on for Randy

 

didnt like what they say in rookie camp?

 

No. Smith said immediately after the draft that they were looking to bring in a veteran.

 

If he starts shanking a bunch of FG's in preseason games then the Texans need a backup plan.

 

If the Cowboys can carry two kickers for almost two full seasons, then the Texans can surely carry two for a single year. It'd be nice to groom Bullock for a year before throwing him out there to kick high-pressure FGs.

 

They haven't even had rookie camp yet. That starts next week.

 

the kicking position is an odd one. graham is basically one of the best fg kickers of all-time accuracy-wise.

he screwed up a bengals playoff game in 2009, and basically hasn't had a job since, despite never being bad prior to that.

 

No kidding. I just looked at his numbers and they are fine. He doesn't have a huge leg, but who cares.

 

Graham is a good kicker.

With the punter being the kickoff starter though I can't see the team carrying two place kickers that do nothing but kick field goals.

 

they are better than fine. he's the 4th most accurate fg kicker in nfl history. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/fg_perc_career.htm

i'd have to assume there's a reason that he's been without a full-time gig for the past few seasons, or else i'd say they should have just signed him and not wasted a draft pick on an aggie...err...kicker. :grin:

 

Graham is one of those guys who has never been amazing, but he's consistent. You have guys like Rackers that'll make 95% of their attempts one year and 75% the next. Graham made around 85% of his kicks every year pretty consistently and that's not something a lot of kickers can do. Sucks for him that he hasn't had a full time kicking job since 2009.

 

Teams usually carry 2 kickers through training camp and at least part of the preseason.

 

Graham is your kicker. Randy Bullock placed on IR.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rookie K Randy Bullock going on IR with a torn groin muscle. Kubiak said they found out about it today, after injury had been bothering him.</p>&mdash; John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McClain_on_NFL/status/239823355413413888" data-datetime="2012-08-26T20:35:18+00:00">August 26, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Heh, sure Gary. Sure.

 

I imagine this is how the whole thing went down...

Randy: Hey Rick, you needed to talk to me? What's up?

Rick: Yes Randy, we need to talk. The coaching staff and I have been very pleased with your progress during training camp and preseason, and we are excited about you reaching your full potential with us.

Randy: Yeah...

Rick: We think you will be a great contributor to this team's success, and it's just such a shame that you won't be able to start your journey with us this year due to your unfortunate injury.

Randy: Huh?? What injury?!

*knees Randy in the groin*

Rick: IR!

 

Groin has been bothering Bullock before preseason started.

http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2012/08/kubiak-randy-bullock-sat-out-with-groin-soreness/

 

For some reason this is the first thing came to mind when I read the story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzCnrpfUaAk