Having a steay kicker, like Phil Dawson, could be the difference in winning and losing
Special teams were atrocious in 2016. The Cardinals couldn’t seem to get out of their own way in multiple instances, and lost games simply due to poor special teams. The kicking game, in particular, might have cost them a trip to the playoffs.
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Chander Catanzaro made just 75% of his field goals on the year, and missed four extra points in 2016. This offseason, the Cardinals decided to go in another direction at kicker. Catanzaro is out, and they brought in veteran Phil Dawson.
At 42 years of age, Dawson is still a step up at kicker. Last year, he made 85% of his field goals, including 8 of 11 from 40 or more yards. He also missed just one extra point. Despite his age, he’s an upgrade, and could mean an extra win or two in the win column. Those extra wins might be the difference between a return to the postseason and another year watching from home.