Following two missed field goals on Sunday, the Saints take a massive gamble working out Justin Tucker
The New Orleans Saints are unhappy with their kicking situation. Why should they be? Blake Grupe missed two field goals on Sunday, which would have certainly aided the Saints in gaining a victory over Atlanta. On the season, Grupe has missed eight of his 26 kicks, and that translates into a 69.2%. His struggles are magnified in the 40 to 50-plus yard range, as he has connected on five of 11 attempts from that distance.
You can’t blame the Saints for working out a kicker to replace Grupe, but it’s fair to take a second look at them for working out Justin Tucker. He was released by Baltimore after they drafted his replacement and suspended by the NFL for ten games following sexual misconduct accusations. The juice isn't worth the PR hit and squeeze for the kicker who was in the twilight of his career and no longer the most accurate in the NFL.
Yes, Tucker has denied the allegations, but after an investigation, the NFL slapped him with a lengthy ban. Signing him could send a message and noise that the team, quite frankly, doesn't need while they try to stabilize the organization and future.
"Obviously, there's been some stuff that has been unfortunate," Saints head coach Kellen Moore said about the tryout. "He's gone through an experience, and I think it's about collecting what that experience was."
In the NFL, kickers are one call away. Former cast-offs can become starting kickers in the blink of an eye and stabilize the position. The San Francisco 49ers famously lit a third-round pick on fire for Jake Moody from Michigan, only to cut him after two seasons, and find a much better replacement in veteran Eddy Piñeiro off the street.
Joey Slye bounced around from team to team before landing in Tennessee. Chase McLaughlin did the same before settling in at Tampa Bay. The point is, there is someone off the street who can improve the position without the noise. Greg Joseph is a veteran on the Raiders practice squad. Sign him to the roster and cut Grupe. Position fixed.
With the organization looking for stability and footing under Moore, adding a kicker like Tucker with his baggage isn’t the right move. He's not the player he once was, and is this the type of person you'd like to add to your culture and present to your fan base?