ExtremeRavens Posted December 5 Posted December 5 We asked readers if the Ravens should replace kicker Justin Tucker, the future Hall of Famer who missed three kicks in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles and is mired in the worst slump in his career. Here are the results from our online poll, Instagram and X: No — 1,872 votes (61%) Yes — 1,194 votes (39%) Here’s what some readers said about the change (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): Tucker has been an incredible asset to this team and has had a remarkable run, but the reality is that he has cost us three games this season. Missing PATs is usually cause for replacement; PATs must be automatic. Despite his expected support, Coach Harbaugh has to be questioning whether to even attempt the long kicks at which Tucker had heretofore been automatic. If the Ravens need a 55-yarder to win a playoff game, what should he do given Tucker’s dismal performance this season? Sadly, I would vote to replace him if a replacement could be found. It should be noted that the Chiefs had to replace their kicker because of injury and their coach refused to attempt long kicks with the replacement; this doesn’t bode well for the Ravens being able to find a suitable replacement for Tucker.— Mark Jacobs This is a time to instill JT with confidence, which is what Harbs is doing. That said, the long snapper, holder and kicker need to get in a rhythm in practice that they can build on and take into the game. It wouldn’t hurt to add some humor, maybe break the tension. Remember in “Tin Cup,” when Roy had the “yips/” Maybe JT needs Cheech Marin to coach him up!! — Pat Kiernan As Harbaugh has said many times, it’s a results-oriented job. And it’s quite obvious not that JT can’t provide the results, CONSISTENTLY, any longer. He personally cost the team 10 points, which would have been the difference in this game. It was the same story two weeks ago versus Pittsburgh. If Baltimore wants to get back to the Super Bowl, they need to do some serious house cleaning this offseason, and not just in the kicking department. Because the current team, including the coaching staff, has shown that they just can’t win the big games against the league’s elite teams. — jimbo0117 Replace Tucker with who? This late in the season? How long do you think Tucker would be unemployed if the Ravens released him? I still have confidence in Tucker, maybe not for a 60-plus-yard field goal, but for a game-winner. I believe the field goal team and Tucker will be practicing a lot during this bye week. I think his confidence will return. If not, look for another kicker next year. But elite kickers are extremely difficult to find. — Robert No. Tucker has been a great asset to the team and has sometimes been responsible for the majority of the points scored. He obviously needs to work on the problem of accuracy, and he should be given the chance to improve. The team should not depend on any one player to win a game. Keep him for this season and if there is no improvement, replace him in the offseason. — Anna Does anyone really believe that any available kicker is better than Tucker, even when he is in a funk? (At his best, he is obviously an indispensable member of the team.) Gotta keep the faith and hope that he rewards you. — Laurence Berbert Not only should Tucker be replaced, but the head coach. Any coach who elects to keep a player on the team who is causing them to lose does not belong on the payroll. Shame on the owner as well for allowing a promising season to go down the drain. Even if they should make the playoffs, with Tucker still on the roster, they will be one and done, again. Let the Ravens take a look at the Commanders, new owner, new quarterback, new life as a winner. — Steve Parsley Replacing Tucker means it has to be an equally great kicker ready to go now. If there were an equally great kicker, he would have already made one of the other NFL teams. No great kickers are sitting at home with the end of the season in sight. Let’s take a poll and see if we should replace Lamar for that bonehead 2-point try against Pittsburgh when he went left and everybody else went right. Or when he threw a pass in the same game and we were winning 7-6 with 38 seconds left and we had the ball at our own. Even if Monken made that stupid call, Jackson could have killed the play and taken a knee to end the half and be up 7-6. So, we pass, fumble, they kick a field goal and we lose. Plenty of Monday morning quarterbacks who know nothing about the ramifications of cutting your only kicker. — Tom Bateman It takes a good snap, place, and kick to make it work. Tucker has too much class to blame someone else. I agree with Mike Preston. I will go with Tucker. — Henry Replace Tucker this season? No, not this season. But, the kicker position should be up for grabs next year. — Lathan Ritter As a coach, loyalty to a player is essential to success, no matter the sport. However, there comes a time when that leadership trait costs you victories and, perhaps more importantly, lack of faith by your teammates (and fans), perhaps it’s time to move on. Time to call it a day, huh? Strategically, the opposing offense begins a drive in an advantageous position, putting your defense instantly in a hole. Speaking of such, recall when “Tucker for the W” was automatically assumed. It happened so, so many times! WOW! Sadly now, we hold our breaths even on extra point attempts. Who would have ever thought! It hurts as a fan and especially for Tucker. No. 9, the memories you provided Ravens fans are indelible. Each of us can remember those countless times when we won simply because of his leg! Such great memories, never to be forgotten. Hopefully, as the season proceeds, Tucker will prove we doubters will rally and once again proclaim we won because of “Tucker for the W!” When you deservedly enter the team and Pro Football Hall of Fame, you will receive a resounding standing ovation. Rest assured, all of Ravens Nation will rise to honor you! — Christopher Cheswick The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article Quote
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