Special long distance kickers

[sheajets]

I recall Steve Cox, former punter, also served as an exclusive long distance field goal kicker for the Browns. He did kick FG's of 57, 58, and 60 yards over the course of his career though he did miss many others over 50. I'm guessing he may have been too erratic in practice to ever be considered for a full time kicking role. Curious how a full time kicker may have reacted to this. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Does anybody recall any other specialty long distance kickers?

[JohnTurney]

Brad Daluiso did that for a couple years before becoming regular kicker. Was always the KO guy, but maybe got good enough at shorter distances to win regular job .

[Rupert Patrick]

I never understood why the Raiders didn't try to take advantage of Ray Guy's strong leg and have him kick long FG's in the 50 and over range. By 1974-75 Blanda's leg was about gone; in 1975, his longest FG was 37 yards. After Blanda they had Steinfort, Mann and Chris Bahr, none of which were really great, and the Raiders probably could have benefited from having Guy try longer FG's.

[Ronfitch]

I never understood why the Dolphins never put Reggie Roby in for some.

At Iowa, he was known for his distance on punts and kickoffs - Iowa coach Hayden Fry claimed that Roby put 26 kickoffs through the goal posts (http://wcfcourier.com/news/metro/coache ... 74497.html).

[Bryan]

I never understood why the Raiders didn't try to take advantage of Ray Guy's strong leg and have him kick long FG's in the 50 and over range. By 1974-75 Blanda's leg was about gone; in 1975, his longest FG was 37 yards. After Blanda they had Steinfort, Mann and Chris Bahr, none of which were really great, and the Raiders probably could have benefited from having Guy try longer FG's.

No need for Ray Guy when George Jakowenko is already on your roster!

If memory serves, Bert Rechichar set the longest FG record (at the time, 56 yards) in his first ever NFL FG attempt. He was then installed as the Colts regular place kicker for a few years, but was so bad that he became a "long distance specialist" in relief of regular placekicker Steve Myhra.

[John Grasso]

If memory serves, Bert Rechichar set the longest FG record (at the time, 56 yards) in his first ever NFL FG attempt. He was then installed as the Colts regular place kicker for a few years, but was so bad that he became a "long distance specialist" in relief of regular placekicker Steve Myhra.

I just looked up Rechichar. I didn't know that he was also a defensive player. In his first season, 1952 with Cleveland, he
was strictly a safety and not a kicker. In the first game of the 1953 season with the Baltimore Colts he scored a touchdown
on an interception return in the second quarter and then later in that quarter kicked the record-setting 56 yarder.

[BD Sullivan]

In the matter of Rechichar, Gary Kerkorian supposedly "got height more faster" "than Rechichar, who was more of a line-drive kicker.

FWIW, Rechichar broke the 54-yard FG that Glenn Pressnell had kicked for the Lions in 1934.

Regarding the evolution of records, I know that there a baseball book compiled on this topic. Was there ever one done for football?

[JWL]

Regarding the evolution of records, I know that there a baseball book compiled on this topic. Was there ever one done for football?

The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia had a section on that stuff.

[conace21]

Craig Hentrich. I recall in a Titans-Bears game, Craig Hentrich attempted a game-tying 49 yard FG that was blocked. That didn't seem like a very long FG for Al Del Greco. I went back and looked at a news report. Del Greco thought Ten had gotten a first down and didn't go out on the field. Hentrich was the holder and was forced to kick, with Dave Krieg as the holder.
I remember Hentrich also missing a 60 yarder at the end of the 2000 season opener in Buffalo.
A quick PFR check shows he attempted some long FG's when an aging Gary Anderson was on the team.