Graham or Kasey, who should we keep

I think if the competition is as close as it appears we should keep Graham, otherwise we risk another injurie to Kasey without the guarentee of a quality fill-in kicker.

 

My vote is undecided. I like Kasay but am skeptical of his endurance. If he would agree to restructure his salary, I would promote keeping both of them.

 

tell you after the 3rd preseason game

 

Better keep them both.............injuries happen alot around here!

 

Kasay, but not because he is a "nice guy" or a "fan favorite". We keep him because:

1. Stronger Leg
2. More Accurate Kicker
3. Proven Clutch Performer

Based on the condition these players keep there bodies in, I really don't see much difference in the risk of injury between Kasay or Graham. Maybe for a defensive lineman at his age, but not for a kicker. Just look at the age of some of the other kickers still getting it done at a high level. Kasay could kick for us for 3 or 4 more years, imho. I also believe to make it a salary issue is just plain short-sighted. The cap hits are not big enough to make a difference, but a pro-bowl placekicker versus a youngster with some ability can make a huge difference. I would hate to look back on this season and see a couple wins that became losses because we missed the clutch kick. Just conjecture, and just my opinion.

 

Kasay...
1) Old as Jesus
2) Doesn't have leg strength he used to
3) Can't get kickoffs past 15 yard line
4) Hurt the last 2 yrs

Gimmie Graham. Yep, I'll take Graham.

 

1) at 33 years old Kasay has several years left based on simply looking at the age of other quality kickers in the league. Age should not be an issue.

2) what is your basis for the leg strength argument. All I have read, heard, and witnessed, his leg strength is as good as ever.

3) true, Graham can get his kickoffs a little deeper but Saurbrunn will kickoff anyways. ability to get the kickoffs a few yards deeper does not translate to stronger leg on field goal attempts.

For the Record Saturday Night:

Graham 3 kicks: average distance = 67.7 yards
average field position = 21.3 yard line

Kasay 2 kicks: average distance = 63.5 yards
average field position = 23.5 yard line

Kasay's kickoffs gave the team a 2 yard hole compared with Graham's. Kickoff length will not be a factor in this decision.

4) did you miss the 2001 season? For the record, John Kasay did not as he played in all 16 games and made 21-23 field goal attempts from inside the 50 yard line.

Graham is simply not in the same league as Kasay, imho, in terms of kicking ability, and I see this position as to important to turn over to a youngster learning the ropes when we have a veteran Pro Bowl kicker.

 

Saurbrun is a better tackler anyway, so I don't care about the kick-offs. I just want them in bounds

All I know is this season is what matters, and so far, Kasey made a 56 yarder in Fan Fest, and it had lots more. Graham fell short on 55 yards Sat night

Look at their legs next time you get the chance, Kasey's leg is twice the size of Graham's. I don't know how you can say Graham's leg is stronger. Maybe Graham can make that kick...but he didn't.

I want Kasey for all the reasons, he's a favorite, he's better. If he's 100 percent, it's a no brainer

How sweet would it be to win a Super Bowl with one of the original Panthers? I think Kasey has a few more seasons in him. Morton Anderson is 40

 

Kasay is too vulnerable to bank on now . . . and besides, every team needs a token goofy redheaded dude.

 

Hey trash, we've gone around on this one before! I'm STILL saying Graham, by the SLIGHTEST edge. Here's why:

1. I'm not sure about the leg; yeah, Kasay's legs are about twice the size of Graham's (OK, I promise to stop lookin' at guys' legs now), but I think Shayne has greater leg speed or sumptin' because he gets distance pretty easily. John heaves everything he's got into it at kickoff now, but Shayne drops it on the 1-yard line effortlessly,and with good height.

2. I would have bought the accuracy argument last year, but no more. Last year Shayne was dead on at 45+ and had a wierd tech problem with hooking on the short ones. He's consistent at all distances now. I want to see him compensate for wind sometime before I'm totally convinced, but I am already VERY impressed with his accuracy. No question about John's accuracy - he's uncannily sharp, but Shayne is very close to being his equal now IMO.

3. Yep, your'e right, John has proven his clutch ability, and my belief in Shayne in that area is just faith right now. I watch him practice, and he has awesome focus. But John wins on this one at this moment.

Finally, I think you underestimate Graham when you call him "a youngster with some ability ". He has way more than just "some" ability IMO; I'd say he has extraordinary ability.

Right this very minute he's probably 1 or 2 notches below John on a scale of 100. However, I'd say John stays the same over the next year; Shayne turns into something special. The upside potential gives Shayne that final edge.