Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera made a choice to switch kickers two weeks ago. It’s kind of blown up in his face, as Chris Blewitt, who had never kicked in an NFL game prior, has had three of his first five field goal attempts blocked the past two games.
One of his field goal attempts were so low it was actually blocked by his teammate’s helmet.
However, Rivera isn’t make a change at kickers again, not “for now.”
But that wasn’t the most baffling remark he made about kickers. In his explanation to stick with Blewitt, who is now 2-of-5 on field goals this season (and his career), Rivera’s comments were very contradicting to why Washington released longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins for Blewitt.
“Everybody has to understand kickers are hard to find and consistent kickers are even harder to find, Rivera said per John Keim of ESPN. “Guys who have had success in this league are on teams…”
Well, if Rivera believes what he said on Monday, then releasing Hopkins was an asinine decision.
Hopkins struggled in part the last two seasons. However, he was still an 84% kicker on field goals during seven seasons in Washington. He was 11-of-13 this season.
Some would argue it was time for Hopkins to go, but considering what was out there for Washington to pick from the available market, it’s hard-pressed to justify those options being better than Hopkins.
Proof is in Blewitt’s start. Blewitt has growing pains to go through. He hadn’t kicked since 2016 in college prior to his NFL debut last week in Green Bay. Hopkins is now a Los Angeles Charger. Cutting a consistent kicker such as Hopkins for a guy who was a fitness trainer and working for UPS looks more baffling with Rivera’s latest comment.
