Bye Bye Rhys

[Bez513]

I caught this at the end of the Sun article today:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravensupdate1226,0,7848503.story

Kicker Rhys Lloyd, who was waived by the Ravens on Saturday to make room for linebacker Robert McCune, was signed by the Carolina Panthers.

I hope the Panthers don't jerk him around like the Ravens did. I wish he would have had a chance to play but due to injuries I guess that wasn't possible.

[UKRaven]

Another loss to Ravens - he was Stover's replacement in the making.

How long will Stover last?

[highwater]

I can't say with any degree of conviction that this is a big loss, since we never really got to see much of the guy, but the Ravens yanked him around like a yo-yo this year. He's on the team, then he's not, then he's on again, then he's not -- I guess they had their reasons, but that had to be tiresome for him.

But as UKRaven is suggesting, Stover won't last forever. It would be nice to have a replacement lined up. Replacing kickers usually isn't that hard, but Stover has been so good for so long, it could be a harsh return to reality when his replacement starts missing FGs.

[HoustonRaven]

I have to agree with HW .... nice kid, but not a big loss in the grand scheme of things.

Does anyone know if there are decent kickers on the free agent market?

[festivus]

Backup placekickers are a dime a dozen I believe. Having an extra placekicker on the 53 man was a luxury we could not afford for many games this year. I don't think it's a big deal, I really don't.

[RavenScallywag]

I still get a sinking feeling Stover is going to retire this season, although maybe now he puts it off until we can get a replacement and hold onto him.

[ravenjoe]

.... nice kid, but not a big loss in the grand scheme of things.
I have to disagree. I understand that our injury situation prevented Rhys from being activated each game. However, how often did the opposing team start on their own 40 yd line after a kickoff - the Cleveland game comes immediately to mind? A kick-off artist who would consistently get the ball into the endzone would've been a mega help this year, especially with our pathetic kick-off coverage.

[Rochardrik]

I have to disagree. I understand that our injury situation prevented Rhys from being activated each game. However, how often did the opposing team start on their own 40 yd line after a kickoff - the Cleveland game comes immediately to mind? A kick-off artist who would consistently get the ball into the endzone would've been a mega help this year, especially with our pathetic kick-off coverage.

Accurate on all accounts! The injury problem kept the YOYO effect going, and I for one thought that his kick-offs would have helped much more than the roster moves they made which kept him in a constant state of limbo!!!!:rolleyes: :229031_confused2: :insane: :grbac: :hammer:

[FellsPointRaven]

He impressed me in pre-season with kick offs and that 60+ yard FG, but was disappointing when he got his chance against Indy this year. Booming leg, though - may have been valuable with experience.

Either way - a big loss for the UK Ravens at least - no Brits on the team now!

[ravenjoe]

Either way - a big loss for the UK Ravens at least - no Brits on the team now!
A big loss for the Baltimore Ravens as well! Until we get decent coverage on kickoffs, we're going to continue to put our defense in the hole!

[camdenyard]

A "big loss"? Please.

What did he do when he was active this year? He pretty much sucked.

[ravenjoe]

Please, then, tell me how many games he actually suited up for? I know I saw him in one game; but what other games did he kick off in. IMO, field position is extremely critical, and, again, with our s--tty coverage, we need all the help we can get.

[ravensfan1996]

Rhys lloyd avgd 72 yds a kickoff in preseason...pretty good. In 2 games that he played he avgd 62yds. (pittsburgh and colts games 5 kickoffs total)

Matt Stover avgs 63.5 yds a kickoff this year.

The top 10 kickers avg 65-68yds, the middle 12 62-64 yds, and the bottom 10 58-61yds. They are a dime a dozen.

Stover is right up there in the middle tier. There a few really good ones, a few really bad ones, and the rest are pick and choose. There is only 6yds difference between number 1 and number 20. Its all about the coverage not the so much the kicker.

Stover gets it on avg to the 5 yd line. The top 2 guys avg it to the 1 and 2 yrd line. So when people make a HUGE deal about stovers kicks...i laugh.

[ravenjoe]

Very nice photo gallery....