Kicker controversy may be brewing with Arizona Cardinals

An undrafted rookie out of Kansas State University is making a push to become the new placekicker of the Arizona Cardinals

There’s no denying that the Arizona Cardinals’ Phil Dawson has had a spectacular career. The 43-year old has an amazing 19 NFL seasons under his belt, a truly remarkable accomplishment. At this very moment, the wily veteran is preparing to add a 20th campaign to his impressive resume.

There’s a rookie residing on the Cards’ roster, however, who would love nothing more than to take Dawson’s job. Matthew McCrane, who has spent the last four years as Kansas State University’s placekicker, signed on with Arizona this past spring. An undrafted free agent who was presumably brought in to push Dawson, who was not at his best last season.

Perhaps Cardinals management felt that Dawson had become complacent. The 2012 Pro Bowler botched 11 kicks in 2017, eight field goals and three extra points. By comparison, Dawson had blown just three field goals and one extra point the year before with the San Francisco 49ers.

Providing competition for Dawson may not be bringing out the best in him. The University of Texas product shanked a 46-yard field goal attempt this past Friday versus the New Orleans Saints. A little later on in the contest, McCrane booted home a 53-yarder, possibly igniting a controversy at the kicker position.

McCrane was also good on his only other field goal attempt of the preseason, a 28-yarder the week before against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 5’10”, 165 pounder also converted an extra point attempt during the same game.

Aside from the field goal miss in New Orleans, Dawson has been perfect on five other tries. There was a successful 40-yard three-pointer versus the Saints. Dawson has been perfect on all four of his PAT opportunities over the two exhibition matchups, as well.

The two competitors will more than likely continue to split the kicking duties over the next couple of weeks. Unlike last summer, it no longer appears that Dawson has a stranglehold on a roster spot. A door to the Cardinals has been opened for McCrane, and it’s one that the youngster would be downright thrilled to walk through.