Position Competition: KickerPosted by Nick Scurfield on May 31, 2012 4:54 pm
The Texans kicker competition got going in earnest on Thursday, as rookie Randy Bullock and veteran Shayne Graham kicked in front of the team during practice for the first time.
Bullock, a fifth-round draft pick from Texas A&M, was 6-of-6 on field goals of up to 53 yards. Graham, a 12th-year veteran who was signed after the draft, was 4-of-6. Both kickers made their most important kicks of the day, 47-yard field goals to close out practice with a lot at stake for their teammates and, by extension, for them.
This time of year, were focusing on some other things, but we wanted them to kind of get their first taste and for the players to actually see them, Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. They both kicked pretty good. We held em til the end and we gave em a chance, if they did kick well, for the players to get the afternoon off from weights and meetings. Shayne kicked for the meeting portion and he made his, and then the youngster was up for the weights portion of the program and he made his. So the (rest of the team) got to leave after practice today, so I guess they did their job.
Before Thursday, Bullock and Graham had been kicking solely on a side field with special teams coordinator Joe Marciano during organized team activities (OTAs). The competition will continue through the rest of OTAs, mini-camp and training camp.
Obviously, weve got one kicker whos kicked in the NFL for years and then youve got one whos very, very young that were counting on big-time, Kubiak said. Joe has got to create a competitive environment for them every day, and then weve got to create a team environment that puts some pressure on them and so their teammates see that the best man wins the job.
Bullock wowed the Texans in a pre-draft workout in Houston where he put on a show in front of all the teams coaches and scouts. Kubiak was understandably happy to see the rookie light it up in his first performance in front of the team.
I tell you: The thing thats really impressive, hes young, but hes a very mature young man, Kubiak said. Hes kind of strong-willed, handles himself very sharp, and if what hes done since the workout before the draft, through the draft and since the draft has happened, if thats what hes about each and every day, hes going to kick in this league for a long time. So were very pleased to get him.
