Kicker Billy Cundiff’s future with Baltimore Ravens in doubts – NFL News
Baltimore Ravens’ place kicker Billy Cundiff sees his future with the team in doubts as irrespective of a denial from coach John Harbaugh that nothing ill was behind placing rookie Justin Tucker at his position in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars,
all seems not well for Billy as far as his immediate prospects are concerned.
The particularly bad development for the veteran is that the rookie who took all kicks in the game was impressive during the game, adding fuel to the fire regarding Billy’s possible exit by the Ravens, which nevertheless has been hanging over his head since
he missed a 32-yard field goal that made the team lose the American Football Conference (AFC) championship game to the New England Patriots last season.
Although the player said he has moved beyond that rueful miss, the team has shown to be keen on bringing some changes at his position – now proved by placement of the rookie.
Billy said of the move:
"I found out before this game that I wasn't going to get any reps, which shocked me. I felt like I had a really good week of practice."
Still, John Harbaugh insists there is nothing for Billy to be worried about, saying the change took place with an aim to give the opportunity to the rookie from start to finish.
The coach said:
"Billy has had a great, great camp. He's done really well. I think we know Billy. Billy would have come in here and made every one of those kicks, and when we kicked it deep, he would have kicked every one into the back of the end zone. Billy has proven.”
Although giving preference to a rookie over an incumbent is not a surprising move in the preseason phase, Billy apparently is finding it difficult to get over with the miss of the field goal in the AFC game.
It is also more likely that the Ravens still see that miss as the lowest point of their performance of the game, which could have turned the tables for them. The team has already released Lee Evans, another failing character of the game.
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