Should the Rams be working on an extension for Zuerlein?

[OldSchool]

He's also lost games. Love the dude, but that's true.

I would lock him up while he's cheap and...[gasp]...carry a second kicker for anything 45 and under. Seriously. A shorter field super accurate kicker along with GZ for the monster kicks and kickoffs would be golden.

When he failed at long kicks, it's been when he was asked to do a LOT of field goals. Let him chill and go for the monster kicks.

Going back over his misses under 45 yards

2014 Week 7 vs KC missed from 38 yards we lost 34-7
2014 Week 11 @ SD had a 46 yard blocked we lost 27-24 (over the 45 yards but even with Hills Int's it could have forced OT)
2014 Week 13 @Wash missed a 28 yd and 38yd and an XP. This was his single worst game of his career. Yes conditions were horrible on the field and with weather but he was bad this game. We won 24-0 he didn't cost us a game though.

He's only ever missed 4 from 46 and in and one cost us a chance at OT, though others cost us more.

 

[LACHAMP46]

lock him up if possible....but too many other worries right now...

 

[Akrasian]

The thing is - why would he want to be locked up now, unless the Rams offer him a very good contract? Even if he stays erratic he'll be able to get a decently above minimum salary level contract from some team, so unless the Rams pay him more than that and gamble that he'll improve they won't actually save any money.

I would suggest negotiating with him, just to see - but I expect he'll be one that goes into the offseason without a contract.

 

[RamzFanz]

Going back over his misses under 45 yards

2014 Week 7 vs KC missed from 38 yards we lost 34-7
2014 Week 11 @ SD had a 46 yard blocked we lost 27-24 (over the 45 yards but even with Hills Int's it could have forced OT)
2014 Week 13 @Wash missed a 28 yd and 38yd and an XP. This was his single worst game of his career. Yes conditions were horrible on the field and with weather but he was bad this game. We won 24-0 he didn't cost us a game though.

He's only ever missed 4 from 46 and in and one cost us a chance at OT, though others cost us more.

I'm saying I thought many of his longer misses that did cost us games were leg fatigue, not that he can't hit the shorter ones.

Good stats.

 

[jap]

I'm saying I thought many of his longer misses that did cost us games were leg fatigue, not that he can't hit the shorter ones.

Good stats.

He suffered leg fatigue his rookie season due to all the kickoffs and FGA's he made from training camp through that first year. So The Fisher King started making it a practice to hire a camp leg to provide both competition and leg muscle relief. Maybe his roommate Johnny Hekker can devise some accuracy drills---Johnny has quite an active imagination.

 

[RaminExile]

There may be options but not ones like GZ. His range makes him important and this team needs that. Lots of games are decided at the end by kickers and how many teams can even consider going for it at 58 or more yards? How many kickers have a shot at a 60 yard FG? It's a very short list. I can live with his average (or so people say) accuracy because he can (and has) win games by putting up points that otherwise wouldn't be on the board.

This is a vid Mac took at a game he and I went to a few years back.

This is why you want him, look where the TB kicker is kicking from..........

That is nutz. I just wish he didnt shank it right sometimes. I swear the guy could kick a 70 yard field goal.

 

[LesBaker]

I'm saying I thought many of his longer misses that did cost us games were leg fatigue, not that he can't hit the shorter ones.

Good stats.

He's more accurate than people give him credit for. As it's been pointed out he's been put out on the field to attempt kicks 29 other kickers wouldn't even try......

 

[Robocop]

he's got the strongest leg in the game obviously and I'm dying for him to get a chance to break the record but has had hiccups once and a while which I'm ok with. as long as he doesn't have a problem with the new extra point distance for whatever reason then yes extend him.

 

[Corbin]

I would of liked to see a poll on this but IMO yes now would be the perfect time to sign him before he goes 24 of 26 with 6 50+ yarders and game winners.

 

[DaveFan'51]

I don't know if there is any reason to hurry on the new contract or not. But he's worth a new contract to me! So when ever the FO feels like it, I fine with it!

 

[Ramrasta]

I'm indifferent to him. Rare leg power but questionable accuracy. Not a guy you can't replace if need be. Given the new extra point rules, kick accuracy is going to be increasingly important.

 

[ram007]

Yes, 2 year extension if possible

 

[Ramhusker]

GZ gives me ulcers. Nobody can deny the boomer of a leg he has but he seems to miss at the most crucial times of a game. I know his stats are not bad at all and he needs to be extended if it is at all reasonable. But I almost have to leave the room when he's attempting between the 35 and 45.