REPORTS out of EAGLES practices say that rookie Kicker Carey “Murderleg” Spear looks bad compared to veteran Alex Henery. This could be why Spear has so far not gotten an opportunity to swing his leg during live action so far.
I call bullshit on that.
Before I go into it, let me say that I’m not surprised that Henery has won this job. I said he would (SEE HERE). I wasn’t happy about it when I said it, but I could see the handwriting on the wall; and when I see something coming, it’s my job to share it with you whether I like it or not.
I thought that Spear would at least get a chance to lose the job. Instead it looks like Chip Kelly is fine with releasing a guy who he hasn’t even looked at in live fire. I mean if Henery can look good in practice but suck in games, why not take a chance that Spear may be better when the lights come on? It’s unlikely, but that’s partly what preseason is for, right?
Of course if Spear out-shined Henery, the Kicker position would suddenly be a decision that has to be actively weighed amidst a bunch of others. This may be drama that Kelly would rather avoid. However as far as most of us fans are concerned, Kicker has been a decision worth actively weighing for years now; because while Henery’s career percentages are stellar, he never fails to fail in big moments.
The idea of a Kicker who only misses important FG’s is terrifying. You want a Kicker who’s clutch, but we don’t have that. Currently we have the Tony Romo of Kickers. Yes, we have Tony Romo! The guy who statistically should be the answer to your prayers, but who in clutch moments is the biggest liability on the roster. Yeah, we have that guy.
My hope was that Spear would push Henery, and that through mentoring Spear, Henery would go back to doing the little things. That didn’t happen. In fact if there was anything for Henery to take away from this, it’s that no matter how many times he fails us, there will always be a home here for Tony Romo.
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 
They should have given Henery a legit competitor. Seems like a classic case of a coach thinking he knows more than everyone else and paying for it later.
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This is what I said back in May. Spear was a “meh” college Kicker. It would have made more sense to bring in Rob Bironas, who I think is STILL waiting for someone to call.
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I’ve been telling the guys over on the Eagles site for sometime. Stop blaming Andy Reid for Henery and Marsh. These are now Chip Kelly’s players. He could have gotten a bunch of Arena Football guys to go out and do what Marsh did. Instead he chose to bring Marsh back. All of the millions spent to improve the special teams and they fail to bring in any real kicking competition? That means Kelly believed in (foolishly) Henery.
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That’s what I’ve been saying since May. Gradually people are coming around to it, but the handwriting has LONG been on the wall.
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There are former Ducks on the roster, two free agent periods, and two drafts under Chip. Andy has nothing to do with this team anymore. For better or worse Chip Kelly gets the credit or the blame for what happens this year and beyond.
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Hey the new guy just boomed a 54 yarder. Trouble for old Alex I think.
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And a 53 yarder to boot! Literally!
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If this doesn’t get Kelly to cut Henery NOTHING will. But I think Henery should have been allowed to attempt a FG. Just so that (when he missed) he could never say or imply any shenanigans on the EAGLES part.
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I did like how he pulled Henery back and then made the other kid kick. He put the kid on the spot and he delivered. If Henery makes the squad….
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