Ravens cut veteran kicker Billy Cundiff
Written by Adrian Gregory Glover // August 27, 2012 // NFL // No comments
The Baltimore Ravens bid farewell to kicker Billy Cundiff after he fell out of favor with the team as their new kicker Justin Tucker booted his way onto the roster.
The Ravens announced the move on Sunday.
Though the Ravens were quick to point out that they still hold Cundiff in high regard, they still felt the need to waive him along with tight end Davon Drew, receiver Devin Goda, offensive lineman Addison Lawrence, cornerback Jordan Maybin, center Cecil Newton, long snapper Patrick Scales, quarterback Chester Stewart, and receiver Patrick Williams.
“Billy had a great camp, the best he has had with us,” Coach John Harbaugh said. “He showed, like he always has, a toughness and an ability to come back and be a top-flight NFL kicker. These decisions are never easy, and this one was difficult for all of us — Ozzie [Newsome], Jerry [Rosburg] and me. Of course, that says something about Justin [Tucker], the way he has kicked and our belief in him. But, that does not say something less about Billy. Billy was ready in every way to be our kicker. He’ll kick in the NFL. He’s a very good kicker and an even better person.”
Obvious eyes will look towards Cundiff’s blown kick in the AFC Championship Game last season.
Cundiff could have single-handedly given the Ravens a shot at going to the Super Bowl had he not missed a 32-yard field goal in the waning seconds of that contest.
To think that it has nothing to do with his dismissal, I think is naïve.
Think of it like this. Would Tucker have even been in camp to begin with had Cundiff come through for Baltimore when they needed him the most?
Exactly.
History is littered with guys that miss and make the big kick. It’s the guys like Adam Vinatieri that we tend to remember fondly and that stick around for a long, long time.
