He was given a chance for two years, and has been found lacking in consistency. Time to move on now that we have a kicker with a stronger leg and better consistency on the roster.
I would go w/Sturgis in 2015 and bring Franks back in 2016 for camp. As Rizzi has pointed out, Franks has consistently gotten better throughout camp. Is that enough to unseat a veteran? I would think not. Most kickers/punters need a year off to work on their craft. If Franks has evolved as much as he has over a short period of time, imagine what he'll be next year? Sadly, kicker is one position where there's no debate, "potential doesn't play on Sunday." You can't have an experiment/project as your starting kicker. I'm not a fan of Stugis. His kicks from 40-49 and 50+ leave a lot to be desired. At that range, he's a coin flip kicker. He's absolutely average or even below average in that regard. Of the two options, he's the best choice. If Miami decides to gamble on a young, unseasoned player, w/o a great college history of success (16/25 his senior year), they had better be prepared to hit waivers early on. Which is why I think Franks isn't going to get the job. Too much at stake for Philbin and co. this season. Miami has a 6-0 opportunity ahead of them. Imagine if we went 4-2 or 3-3 because of a rookie kicker? If I had my way, Miami wouldn't enter the season with either, but there's not much to be done about that at the moment.
who is to say franks woulnd't go un claimed for a year? Also dustin hopkins or w/e his name was (the kicker from FSU same class as sturgis) He was drafted same round as sturgis, got injured, lost his job then got cut....
Hopkins has been in the Saints camp this summer competing with Zach Hocker for their PK job. We had Hocker here for a short spell last year.
Sturgis' injury history plays a factor in this. When you are a kicker, and someone is brought into camp, you know your job is on the line. My question is: did he do enough to secure his position? I suspect that Franks was not brought in as merely a body to light a fire under Sturgis (at least not directly). I don't think this staff plays that game. He was brought in to compete for the job. Cheaper. Not cheaper. I don't think it matters. Sturgis' injury history is a concern, and a major one. Right now, I think it could go either way, but the ticket will be on this staff's faith he is fully healed. If Sturgis loses a game early, I wonder if Franks will be around for signing? Money aside, can a player get released at any point in the season? This next game might just be the kicker.
he was drafted by the bills though. got hurt, got cut. was out of the league last year, even when detriot had 10 kickers come and go.
Rookie kickers starting in the NFL is pretty rare, no? Especially ones that come from RPI having made 16/25 FG's in their senior season. I'm not saying Franks is bad, but he's likely going to need some seasoning. I don't think anyone claims him tbh.
Is anyone voting to keep Sturgis over Franks? I'm not. That 52 yarder in the rain was really impressive. Hopefully Franks can duplicate those type of long FGs in real games.
