Dirk Diggler Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 How many of you are comfortable with Brett Conway and what about taking a chance on a Lamar Lathon?The market right now for unemployed veteran kickers is bone-dry, and it looks like jobless guys like Morten Andersen (Atlanta), John Carney (San Diego), Doug Brien (New Orleans), Al Del Greco (Tennessee) and Brad Daluiso (New York Giants) might have to wait until some younger placement specialist flops in training camp before their phones start ringing. Agent Jack Mills said Saints general manager Randy Mueller has phoned a few times to inquire about Carney, but that talks haven't moved beyond the casual discussion stage in weeks now. It's hard to believe that the third-leading scorer in the history of the league, Andersen, could be without a job, but Atlanta seems intent on providing young Jake Arians a shot. Some personnel men suggest Andersen has lost leg strength, but he still ranked second in the league in 2000 in touchbacks. Said a source close to Andersen: "He felt he could be productive for another four or five years, but no one is willing to give him even one year right now." There will be at least eight teams in 2001 who will open the season with a kicker different than the one who finished the 2000 season and that number could reach 10 or 11 depending upon the results of some training camp competitions. Three years is a long time to be away from the game but, at age 33 and with his knees seemingly able now to handle strenuous conditioning work, former Carolina linebacker Lamar Lathon is just looking for a few teams to audition him. So far, Lathon has worked out for the Cowboys and the Colts, passed both teams' physical exams, and ran in the high 4.5s for Dallas officials. Sure, any team that brings Lathon in for a workout will be taking a flier. There are the personnel men who look at his three-year hiatus and dismiss Lathon summarily. But he is a solid 265 pounds right now, once had incredibly innate ability for rushing the quarterback, and is more than willing to play for the veteran minimum salary of $477,000 to just be a third-down player. Two or three more clubs have recently indicated an interest in Lathon and, since everyone is looking for an upfield rush player who might give them 6-7 sacks off the bench, he'll probably get a few more phone calls. Bottom line: Lathon is worth a look and the price is just airfare, since he will sign a waiver relieving teams of any liability should he be injured, so there are going to be some curious defensive coordinators out there. We will probably carry 6 or 7 backers: Arrington, Barber, Mitchell, Mason are locks with 2 FA rookies and maybe a Lathon or Jones but not both. Who would you like to see at LB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 That's just the problem. Lathon is not really a true linebacker, but a rover and standup defensive end. Signing Robert Jones solidifies the depth in the middle and Eddie Mason played well in relief of Barber last year on the weakside. There is a hole behind Arrington on the strongside, but the Skins need the backup linebackers to play special teams. The team is too short of cash to keep a guy who is not starting in reserve "just in case". Lathon at his age seems to be a guy who needs to go to a team with a hole for a pass rushing specialist on third downs and can afford the extra salary. If you notice Marty is going with players that are healthy as free agents and draft picks, with the exception of Matt Campbell. He has scrupulously avoided taking up a roster spot on a guy that might not be available come the opener or may be an IR candidate in camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Horse Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 Jones started all year for Miami at strongside backer, and he isn't that big (230's). I'm wondering why we are looking at him as a MLB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 No one can possibly be comfortable with Conway at the kicker position, but, as with most kickers, it generally takes a person a few years to get into a groove and perform. There are, obviously, exceptions to that statement. But, kickers are late bloomers in the NFL in general, and Conway has shown some ability to be competent with an upside to it. We should have some hope Conway hits his potential as a kicker and that we've solidified a weak position for years to come. But, if he fails, we will be looking for vets, especially if we are competitive and fighting for the playoffs. As for Jones at linebacker, I think I recall someone bringing up that name some time back and that poster deserves kudos. Jones is capable of playing middle and outside backer. He's going to fill depth at two positions, and the Redskins are now looking for folks who can do that. Coleman is another example cited. He isn't just a guard or just a tackle. He can move around some and be successful. The Skins need to fill holes in their depth and finding a competent starter at backup who can play more than one position does that nicely. ------------------ Doom is in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedskinMoo Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 Am i mistaken or was Conway good for uslast year.. until he got hurt? i should prolly go check his little profile somewhere but that's what i'm under the impression of... and besides..we have a kicker in NFLEL don't we? and he kicked a long FG for us i believe.... anyway.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 The main thing I would be concerned with with Morten Anderson is that he's spent his entire career in domes, and kicks inside for at least 10 games each year. That's a lot different than 8 games at the Jack, on grass, then games at the Vet (or wherever the Eagles will play, and the Meadowlands. Kicking outside in the northeast might be a hurdle he can't overcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 I mentioned Robert Jones a couple of months ago as my cousin follows the Dolphins and said he played very well for them the past two years. Jones is bigger than the 230 number I read above. He is really about 245. He played MLB for the first 6 years of his career including in the Super Bowl for the Cowboys. So, I think he will give Mitchell a real run for the job. I don't think Marty was sold on starting a guy like Mitchell that lacked starting experience despite his years in the league, primarily as a special teamer. I would not be surprised if Jones became the starter and Mitchell became the backup and continued as a solid guy on the coverage teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Horse Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 I make sure to keep my various football preview mags from each year. I went back and read up on Jones. He did OK in Miami according to the Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly but nothing that made him stand out. They kept mentioning the fact that he didn't have a sack or an interception, which would lead me to beleive he is not a playmaker. But he was 2nd on the team in tackles during either the 1999 or 2000 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montilar Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 I'm saying this from memory so no 100% guarentees on it. I remember someone a long while back when he was re-signed, probably on cpnd, posting that conway was hitting close to 80% accuracy inside 50 for his career. Thats actually phenomenal and would put him up there with the best percentage wise. His problem is over 50, his percentage drops drastically down to something awful (like 20%/30%). Not to mention his historically short kickoffs. Which could be partially attributed to the previous coaching staff demands. Another problem with Conway. Or with replacing Conway. He was given a signing bonus. So cutting him would be wasting money. Compared to last year's kicking game, Conway is hall of fame material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinthePRF Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 Sorry to rain on the idea above. But I wouldn't like Lamar Lathon on this team. When he was waived by the Panthers, it was because his knees were gone. He didn't survive camp. We might as well phone up Ken Harvey and give him another shot, both were sort of forced into retirement during camp for the same reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 It is nice to have a kicker like Mark Moseley or Chip Lohmiller that can hit a 50 yarder to win a close game, but we don't have one like that on tap. If Conway is able to convert his kicks between 30 and 45 yards this year consistently, we will be golden. All those missed field goals last year were makeable ones under 45. The trouble with last year's team was the coaching staff and front office were too impatient. Instead of cutting Conway and going with a career reject like Husted the team should have kept Conway, given him the 3 or 4 weeks to get healthy and signed a temporary replacement like Peterson for the interim. Unfortunately, Norv was antsy and wanted a healthy kicker in camp as soon as possible so we got Heppner and then Husted. They were healthy but horrible. I still can't understand how the team signed Husted, the active kicker with the lowest career conversion percentage as of last September. Unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonjeff Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 "No one can possibly feel comfortable with Conway at the kicker position". Well Art, I for one am very comfortable with Brett kicking for us this year. Had we kept him on our roster last year until he was healthy, we might have made the playoffs. He had a very fine kicking percentage the year before last with the Skins. He is very accurate from 40 and in. No he's not a boomer from 50 or farther, but I'll take an accurate close rang kicker any day. He will be in his fifth season this year I beleive. Kickers tend to improve with age. Conway will be just fine for us this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackC Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 I like Brett Conway. Two years ago when we won the division....oh let me say that again...when we won the division he was pretty good. Let's win again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted June 11, 2001 Share Posted June 11, 2001 Our other kicker in the NFLEurope league i still looking good and should provide soe competition in camp. R Jones when he played MLB in Dallas relied on speed more than strength. L Mart is a guy who can play OLB and MLB ------------------ Yes I'm paid to think and I need a raise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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