[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by SupDock

Surprise opening-week injury: Titans are placing veteran kicker Ryan Succop on injured reserve and signing former Bucs’ kicker Cairo Santos, per source. Santos and former Bears’ K Cody Parkey both tried out for the job this week.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2019

Hand me down

Sounds familiar.

Ryan Succop VS Cairo Santos

by Leigh Oleszczak 5 years ago

The Kansas City Chiefs are underway with their offseason practices and there are a lot of questions in the air about different positions on the team. One topic that isn’t discussed as much is the kicker position.

Right now Ryan Succop is the main kicker on the roster and has spent five years in Kansas City. I recently covered Succop in a player profile, which you can check out here. Succop was the last pick in the 2009 draft and fans have had mixed thoughts on him since his arrival to Kansas City that year.

The Chiefs brought in undrafted free agent Cairo Santos out of Tulane after the 2014 draft. Santos had an impressive career while a member of Tulane’s football squad including the 2012 season where he didn’t miss a single field goal attempt. Santos only missed one point after attempt that year.

Now you probably see where I’m going with this. The Chiefs didn’t bring Santos in for nothing. It’s time for Succop to compete for his spot on the team and show that he’s got what it takes to be the Chiefs’ kicker next season and possibly longer. The team gave him a 5-year contract at the end of 2011 worth $14 million and it’s time for him to show that he’s worthy of that contract.

Last year Succop only missed on six attempts, but I was still never confident in him. Anytime the Chiefs were going for a field goal whether it was 20 or 50 yards away, I didn’t believe in Succop.

Santos, on the other hand, might be good for Kansas City. He had quite the leg during his college football days, which is something that Succop lacks. Santos was able to knock through a 57 yarder (a Tulane school record).

Succop has never been known for his long leg. His longest field goal in 2013 was a 51 yarder and he was 1 for 4 on attempts 50+ yards. Succop has gone 9 for 17 in field goal attempts over 50 yards during his NFL career.

Personally I’d like to see a new kicker in Kansas City. Succop isn’t awful, but like I said above, he’s not the most reliable guy. Kickers miss, but fans should be able to have faith in their kicker especially one that has been on the team as long as Succop has been with the Chiefs.

It’s also worth noting that Succop hasn’t had a lot of competition since he joined the team. His rookie year he beat Connor Barth for the roster spot and since then hasn’t really had to prove himself against anyone. This is the perfect opportunity for Succop to show that he is the franchise kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs.