K John Potter

[QCity]

Clearly Lindell is responsible for our playoff drought.

[ganesh]

If John Potter completely out performs Rian Lindell, which he has to this point, how does Chan Gailey NOT start him over Rian Lindell? Camp is to figure out which players are best suited to make the team, so shouldn't the better performer be rewarded with a starting nod?

 

I know it's early in camp but Potter hasn't missed a single field goal. He's already going to have a roster spot just for his leg on kick offs. So why not give Lindell's roster spot to a guy like Carrington, Troup, D. Edwards, Aiken, Hagan or anybody else that deserves it. Seems smart to me.

 

" Both Rian Lindell and John Potter tried field goals from 45 yards, 49 yards, 55 yards and 59 yards. Potter nailed them all and his 59-yard field goal sailed right thru the middle. Lindell hit the upright on the 55-yard field goal and appeared to be a bit short on the the 59-yard field goal."

 

I personally am hoping Potter takes Lindell's roster spot. The better player should always win in situations like this. No matter the tenure of the incumbent.

 

Kicking at RWS in swirling winds is difficult. Lindell has the experience of playing in it for the past 10 seasons. Considering that we will play 3 games at home in December, I don't see how Lindell will be sent packing. The question is going to be if the Bills can get Potter on the 53 man roster and on the 46 game day roster.

[The Wiz]

I guess I'll chime in. I'm all for Lindell, he has been a solid kicker for us for a long time. My biggest knock on him is his kick offs. They moved the damn kick off up 5 yards and he still has trouble getting touchbacks. I don't know if that is by design or if he just doesn't have the leg to do it but as much as I hate it when we don't have KO returns, I would like to see us do the same to other teams.

 

If he could kick it to the back of the end zone and get touchbacks more often Kevin Everett would still be playing football... Ok, that's a little overkill.

[Sherman]

Until Lindell start losing games (which he has yet to do), the job is his. He has been ridiculously clutch and I am in no rush to ship him out.....

Hasn't Lindell missed most game winning attempts? KC comes to mind, a game vs Cleveland, Dallas when it counted. I'm ok with them replacing the guy if this kid can do it in a game.

[biglukes]

Hasn't Lindell missed most game winning attempts? KC comes to mind, a game vs Cleveland, Dallas when it counted. I'm ok with them replacing the guy if this kid can do it in a game.

What about the game winners he has made like New England, Oakland, and Jacksonville? This misconception about him being terrible in the clutch is getting out of hand.

[K-9]

If some of you guys weren't half in the bag on Sunday afternoons, perhaps you'd remember Lindell has made more than his share of clutch kicks over the course of his career.

 

http://www.buddynixon.com/opinion/myth-busters-rian-lindell-is-mid-teir

 

GO BILLS!!!

[The Wiz]

If some of you guys weren't half in the bag on Sunday afternoons, perhaps you'd remember Lindell has made more than his share of clutch kicks over the course of his career.

 

http://www.buddynixon.com/opinion/myth-busters-rian-lindell-is-mid-teir

 

GO BILLS!!!

Since it's myth busters I'm sure most people would reply "I reject your reality and replace it with my own"

 

Nice find though.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

If John Potter completely out performs Rian Lindell, which he has to this point, how does Chan Gailey NOT start him over Rian Lindell? Camp is to figure out which players are best suited to make the team, so shouldn't the better performer be rewarded with a starting nod?

 

I know it's early in camp but Potter hasn't missed a single field goal. He's already going to have a roster spot just for his leg on kick offs. So why not give Lindell's roster spot to a guy like Carrington, Troup, D. Edwards, Aiken, Hagan or anybody else that deserves it. Seems smart to me.

 

" Both Rian Lindell and John Potter tried field goals from 45 yards, 49 yards, 55 yards and 59 yards. Potter nailed them all and his 59-yard field goal sailed right thru the middle. Lindell hit the upright on the 55-yard field goal and appeared to be a bit short on the the 59-yard field goal."

 

I personally am hoping Potter takes Lindell's roster spot. The better player should always win in situations like this. No matter the tenure of the incumbent.

Can't wait until the first preseason game to get our first indication of which player is better. Of course that won't be a legitimate sample size… nor is 5 practices in training camp.

 

The point I am trying to make is that players make the roster all the time in different manners. You still give the job to the best guy period. If Lindell is being out performed by Potter the whole camp I don't think it's out of the question for the Bills to get rid of Lindell. It's not worth cutting another talented player that could help more so if Potter can do everything Lindell can do.

 

If Potter is hitting field goals at an easier place and Lindell is missing them, who's the better kicker?

Your logic isn't very logical. If Potter outkicked Lindell in easy conditions, you think it automatically follows that he would outkick him in difficult conditions?

 

Are you familiar with the well-documented concept of "practice players" vs "gamers?" Are you familiar with the concept of "clutch player" vs "choker?"

 

There are countless examples of players who can perform well in practice who cannot do so in actual games.

 

Regardless, Potter would have to blow away Lindell in games for your preferred scenario to come true. As the Bills said when they drafted him, they'll most likely carry two kickers.

Edited August 2, 2012 by San Jose Bills Fan

[Matt in KC]

I guess I'll chime in. I'm all for Lindell, he has been a solid kicker for us for a long time. My biggest knock on him is his kick offs. They moved the damn kick off up 5 yards and he still has trouble getting touchbacks. I don't know if that is by design or if he just doesn't have the leg to do it but as much as I hate it when we don't have KO returns, I would like to see us do the same to other teams.

 

If he could kick it to the back of the end zone and get touchbacks more often Kevin Everett would still be playing football... Ok, that's a little overkill.

 

I used to think this too. He kicked most of his preseason kicks last year half way through the end zone. When I saw this I said "he can kick that far!" At the start of the regular season however, he was back to his typical kicking to around the goal line, toward the sideline.

 

So, he definitely has the leg to kick it that far, though I don't know if the concern is if he can do that for the full season (without risking injury). I assumed they told him to reign it in at the start of the regular season for strategic reasons and he didn't just lose 5 yards off his kicks do to the PS wear on his leg. Then again, if that's right, why bring in Potter?

[Mark Long Beach]

past results count. Lindell has been a good kicker. So do present results. If Potter is clearly better he wins the job. The coach/gm has already raised the possibility of keeping two kickers so if the results are close maybe they do keep two and have a possible transition year to see if the guy is good enough to win the job outright.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

past results count. Lindell has been a good kicker. So do present results. If Potter is clearly better he wins the job. The coach/gm has already raised the possibility of keeping two kickers so if the results are close maybe they do keep two and have a possible transition year to see if the guy is good enough to win the job outright.

This is what most people see as the most-likely scenario.

 

Potter will be the kickoff specialist but in addition will be given the occasional shot at longer attempts because his leg is stronger. It will give him live game experience without putting the entire burden on his shoulders.

 

 

 

 

 

[Formerly Allan in MD]

The kicks that are meaningful are the ones made during game and pressure situations. At least wait until you see how this guy does in preseason games before you decide to throw Lindell under the bus.

[Bufcomments]

You bring competition in at positions that NEED IMPROVEMENT. Lindell is a career 83% kicker with the Bills and was 13/15 last season (including 5/6 from beyond 40) before he was hurt.

 

Potter was not drafted to compete with Lindell. He was drafted to be looked at as a KO specialist, and perhaps groomed as Lindell's eventual replacement. I'm thrilled he can put a 59-yard attempt through the middle of the uprights with no rush and no game pressure.

 

You guys are brilliant.

+1

 

I think he is Lindell's replacement but not this yr. Gotta learn how to kick in the Ralph, which gives the slight edge to Lindell.

[Chilly]

With respect to competition there are two types -- trying to find starters, and trying to find quality depth. Did the Bills bring Chris Douglas into camp to provide competition for Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller, or is he there to compete with Tashard Choice and Johnny White?

 

I'm not disputing that competition makes everyone better, but Buddy's statement about competition in general when talking to a radio host doesn't take into account his specific comments about Potter as a KO specialist when he was drafted. Go back and read the articles, and then also find DeHaven's comments.

 

Obviously if Lindell looks shaky and Potter makes everything he looks at, the Bills will take note. I will stand by my earlier comments, however, that suggesting Potter is putting Lindell's job in jeopardy because he's making long FG attempts at training camp is a little silly.

 

I don't think you can separate types of competition. To me, it's about expectations.

 

While you may not expect a guy to come in and compete for a starting role, if he does that and wins, that will only make your football team better. I don't think its fair too say that Potter doesn't have a chance because the Bills didn't bring him in to compete for the role. I do think, however, its fair to say Potter's at a huge disadvantage because the Bills already have a lot of trust in Lindell and he's proven he can do it in situations outside of training camp.

 

I agree with you on it being silly to think Potter has done anything to unseat Lindell at this point. The vibe I was getting from you was that you felt it was impossible for him to over take Lindell because he wasn't brought in to fill that role.

[eball]

I don't think you can separate types of competition. To me, it's about expectations.

 

While you may not expect a guy to come in and compete for a starting role, if he does that and wins, that will only make your football team better. I don't think its fair too say that Potter doesn't have a chance because the Bills didn't bring him in to compete for the role. I do think, however, its fair to say Potter's at a huge disadvantage because the Bills already have a lot of trust in Lindell and he's proven he can do it in situations outside of training camp.

 

I agree with you on it being silly to think Potter has done anything to unseat Lindell at this point. The vibe I was getting from you was that you felt it was impossible for him to over take Lindell because he wasn't brought in to fill that role.

Nope; not at all. Unfortunately, I was sucked in by an inane proposition that kicking practice FGs means a rookie is ready to take over for a proven veteran who isn't slipping.

 

When will I learn?