Los Angeles Rams head coach Jeff Fisher knows he needs to add a competitive element to the kicker position this year. Last year's starter, Greg Zuerlein, finished the regular season with the lowest field goal conversion rate among starters at the position. He also saw a 48-yard game-winning field goal blocked in the final game of the season. That's not the lasting memory he hoped to impart on Rams fans heading into the offseason and free agency.
Still, the Rams would like to re-sign the free agent kicker so they can hold an actual competition at the position come training camp and preseason. Fisher believes the two sides are getting closer to an agreement.
"Oh yeah," Fisher said at last week's NFL owners meetings. "He wants to come back and we have interest in having him back. I'm sure we'll get something, assuming we'll get something worked out soon. Going to create a competitive environment, however, for him. I think he needs to compete this year."
In recent years, Fisher has brought extra kickers into training camp to give Zuerlein some rest, but this year he wants to find someone who has a legitimate shot at winning the starting gig over him.
"That's correct," Fisher said.
Zuerlein isn't afraid of a fair fight, saying that in a "perfect world" he would return to the Rams rather than sign on with another team that has an opening at the position. Since there hasn't been much of a market for Zuerlein in free agency, that remains the most likely outcome.
Zuerlein has always had a strong leg, as evidenced by his rookie moniker "Legatron." However, his accuracy, especially on longer field goal attempts, has been inconsistent in recent seasons.
The fifth-year veteran finished last season ranked 35 out of 37 kickers in field goal percentage, converting 20 of 30 attempts on the season. His 66.7 percent conversion rate was more than just two other kickers last year, former Pittsburgh Steeler Josh Scobee and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Kyle Brindza (there's a reason they are no longer with those teams). Zuerlein was also 26-of-28 on extra points.
However, Zuerlein was asked to take nine field goal attempts of 50-plus yards last year, a difficult task for any kicker. Only one other kicker in the NFL attempted more from that distance.
"Any time you go out there and miss kicks, you are not going to be happy about it," he said. "I think I've got to get better and convert those kicks. Really, that's all it comes down to is making kicks, and I didn't make as many as I would have liked."
