By Baltimore Sun (TNS) reporter Sam Cohn
When asked if Justin Tucker’s difficulties would justify adding another kicker to compete with the potential Hall of Famer, John Harbaugh has always been quick to dismiss the idea. For the first time, he admitted the opposite on Monday.
Harbaugh said Monday afternoon, “I don’t think there would be anything wrong with that.”
He made it apparent that he didn’t want it to appear as though he was sending Tucker a message if the Ravens got to that stage. According to Harbaugh, he has discussed potential names with senior special teams coach Randy Brown, but no one is quite as good as Justin Tucker.
When Tucker walked off the tee box after missing his third kick in Sunday’s 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, CBS cameras captured him yelling, “Come on!” as he turned back to the uprights. On the sidelines, Harbaugh greeted him and gave him a brief embrace.
Harbaugh remembered telling Tucker, “Hey, you’re going to make the game-winner.” Prepare yourself to win the game.
That opportunity never materialized. Although Harbaugh has always had faith in Baltimore’s longest-tenured player, even a small shift in tone may be a warning flag.
Three kickers—Alex Hale of Green Bay, Charlie Smyth of New Orleans, and Matthew Wright of Kansas City—are presently on NFL practice squads, according to the Football Database. Before being sent back down, Wright helped the Chiefs escape with a victory over Las Vegas on Friday.
Two free agents are listed by Spotrac: Riley Patterson, 25, and veteran Randy Bullock, 34.
On Monday morning, 12-year veteran Tucker had a conversation with Baltimore’s 16-year coach. Tucker informed him, “I know what I have to do.” In certain cases, I just have to do it.
Not as easy as it seems.
He has made 19 of 27 field goal attempts this season. He has a career-high eight missed field goals and two missed extra points. His most problematic distance is probably beyond 50 yards, yet he once made it appear effortless by making five inaccurate kicks. The remaining three have ranged from forty to forty-nine yards.
READER POLL: Should kicker Justin Tucker be replaced by the Ravens this season?
His recent misses have cost him money. In Week 2, Tucker lost by three points at home to the Raiders after missing one field goal. He missed two in last month’s two-point road loss to Pittsburgh, which had significance for the AFC North. And his misses were crucial once more on Sunday against the Eagles.
Justin Tucker (9) is a kicker for the Baltimore Ravens. Nov. 17, 2024: Pittsburgh Steelers versus. Baltimore Ravens.
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After the game, Tucker remarked, “I feel like I cost us this one, but it doesn’t really do anybody any good to dwell on it.” Having to have this same talk over and over again this season is something I detest, but it’s a necessary part of the job.
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Tucker’s three misses on Sunday caused the Ravens’ victory probability to plummet by 28.4%, per NextGenStats. The Ravens have lost 61.6% of their games due to his eight misses, which is the seventh-highest percentage of any kicker. His misses have been a glaring setback, especially in the losses, even if they haven’t occurred during pivotal times.
For example, the greatest kicker in history increased his team’s victory probability by 167.1% between 2016 and 2023. That is four times better than any other kicker and shows how important he has been to the team’s recent success.
That’s a big part of why Harbaugh hasn’t wavered.
Harbaugh stated, “We’re racking our brains, talking to Justin, and looking at what we’re doing.” I have a strong belief that it will be fixed. I think it will. It must. And he’s the one who can solve it.
Do you have any news? Sam Cohn may be reached at 410-332-6200, x.com/samdcohn, and [email protected].
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