Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson has had his struggles this season, including some notable misses on both attempts and extra points.
Jarring compared to last year, at least, when McPherson took the league by storm as a rookie and was perfect in the playoffs.
One would think most of the issues stem from the fact he’s got a new long-snapper (Cal Adomitis) and holder (punter Drue Chrisman). But McPherson (22-27, 37-41XP) shot that idea down before Week 17.
“It’s a little different, not much,” McPherson said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “All it takes is repetition and a little more time. It’s probably a little of that and me needing just to kick better and the conditions.”
Adding to this, special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons says these swaps are things the team preps for and watches closely before the season even starts.
In fact, Simmons goes on to suggest it’s all mental:
“We tracked every possible scenario through training camp, combinations of snappers and holders, and there was really no negligible difference between who was holding and who was snapping and his make percentage. Obviously it’s something that he’s got to get solidified in his own mind. But that’s not the issue. The issue is not the operation. He’s the one who’s got to make the kick. But, it does. And inevitably in the back of your mind, it is different. It’s a different snapper and holder than it was a year ago. That’s something he’s got to fight through. That’s not something that’s physical. It’s a mental thing he’s got to fight through.”
That doesn’t sound like a coach or player too concerned about the sporadic struggles. Provided Simmons is right and McPherson can overcome the hurdle, expecting him to perform in the playoffs this year as he did one season ago still isn’t unwarranted.
