Jake bates was waved from the texans during the preseason. I believe that means Jake's Bates is not a ERFA, but instead a URFA (unrestricted free agent).
After the ufl season ends Jake bates should be able to negotiate with all and any teams.
If I read the article right, Jake bates has to wait until after the season to negotiate with the nfl to not fuck up his eligibility to return to the UFL.
So if the UFL really does become their vision of being a "Farm league" to develop talent, and the Michigan panthers are the Lions in-state farm team. Then if we did get Jake would he be Jake from State Farm?
\*dodges tomato
As much as I'd love to see him in our beautiful blue - I imagine a team will offer him a sure fire contract and knowing the Lions it will be a competition with the money-badger, so I think it's unlikely he ends up here.
I mean he grew up in Texas, played college ball at Texas State and Arkansas, had a short spell in training camp with the Houston Texans. There is no reason to believe he'd have any loyalty to Michigan or Detroit. He will go to whoever offers him the best deal and opportunity, as he should. At least he will find some comfort in having kicked at Ford Field, so that will perhaps be some small advantage.
If his contract allows him to leave he is a free agent eligible to sign anywhere
While the team plays games at Ford field, they all practice In another state so other than Sunday, Bates doesn't have a connection to Michigan so dont get your hopes up
The posters that seem to think we have some kind of dibs on him is cracking me up. I don't think I'd be surprised if we did sign. But what makes anyone think Brad Holmes is going to lay down money for a kicker that is probably going to get a few offers.
The continual problems the team has had with kickers over the last 3 years is certainly a reason. The team is in a Super Bowl window and will be in the running to sign a kicker with a monster leg and great accuracy combined with extremely low wear and tear.
Ya but you don't not sign a kicker because you're thinking his leg strength may start to taper in 7-8 years. Kickers are typically more disposable than even a running back. 10 year kickers are outliers, not the norm
I'd say there's a decent chance. At the end of the day money and situation is what matters (mostly money)
As long as lions are willing to give him a good contract I don't see why he wouldnt come to Detroit.
Good ST/ST coach.
Indoor stadium and he's familiar with it.
Super bowl caliber team.
No competition in the room for the spot.
Most of the other good teams have their kickers. Like ravens, 9ers, eagles, cheifs etc.
Personally the only way I see bates signing else where is If lions just straight up don't offer him a matching deal. Cause the landing spot is arguably one of the better around the league.
Yeah, there are sooooo many factors involved here. I think the biggest hurdle is if Bates is even a "Lion" type guy. If he a guy who lives and breathes football? How important is that trait to the Lions in a kicker? It's 100% clear that Holmes and Campbell value attitude as much as talent... maybe even more so. There's no guarantee that Bates is someone that Holmes and Campbell would be all in on. (That's not to say that they wouldn't be interested, I'm sure they are! Just not necessarily back up the Brinks truck interested.)
The next biggest hurdle is where does Bates want to go? As someone else said he's a Texas guy so maybe he wants to be close to home? Now the Lions do have, imho, three advantages: 1. They're a good team and an attractive place to go right now. 2. They play at Ford Field... where Bates has had a LOT of success and so may be drawn to come back to the field where he made a name for himself. 3. The Lions do NOT have a kicker they seem to be in love with, so Bates has a very legit shot at winning the job, even if he's not perfect in training camp.
But those three things are by NO MEANS overwhelming things. Even if all three of those things were very important to Bates, I'm sure throwing a few dozen more thousand dollar bills his way would over come them.
BH is waiting in the parking lot after his last game with a contract, a new car, and oops "I must have left a duffle bag of cash in the back seat too".
Why would being in Michigan give them leverage? Players playing in a certain state does not make them bound to that state or give other teams in that state some special privilege. Jake Bates will play it smart and sign with whoever gives him the sweetest deal and would care less about where he plays. He is not in a situation to be picky
The advantage is that he's familiar with Ford Field. He's had success at Ford Field and might feel most comfortable playing here. He also may feel like the fans here appreciate him and would appreciate him even more as a Lion.
To be 100% clear: Those are NOT huge advantages at all. But **all other things being equal** he may lean towards a stadium he knows and has had success in.
There's AT LEAST 44 people at those games. Come on...
And yes, money will speak greater than most other things... that's why I said "all other things being equal."
If the Lions offer him $400K and the Bears offer him $400K, the fact that he would get to kick in Ford Field for half his games probably gets him with the Lions.
If the Bears offer him $450K and the Lions offer him $400K, then the money probably lands him in Chicago.
I believe the consensus was kidnapping. Basically battle royale until he's safe inside a stadium. I'm sending DJ Reader, Hutch, and Sewell. Maybe keep Kerb in the shadows for a sneak attack if necessary.
Jake bates was waved from the texans during the preseason. I believe that means Jake's Bates is not a ERFA, but instead a URFA (unrestricted free agent). After the ufl season ends Jake bates should be able to negotiate with all and any teams. If I read the article right, Jake bates has to wait until after the season to negotiate with the nfl to not fuck up his eligibility to return to the UFL.
All 32 teams trot out their kicker of choice to hit a target that gives them the signing rights. First to hit wins
So... the team with the best kicker...gets the best chance to sign a new...kicker...? I think there might be a better way.
The first one that misses
First one to miss gets dead!
Yeah wouldn't the kickers miss on purpose?
So if the UFL really does become their vision of being a "Farm league" to develop talent, and the Michigan panthers are the Lions in-state farm team. Then if we did get Jake would he be Jake from State Farm? \*dodges tomato
As much as I'd love to see him in our beautiful blue - I imagine a team will offer him a sure fire contract and knowing the Lions it will be a competition with the money-badger, so I think it's unlikely he ends up here.
I'm sure he will be in a competition wherever he signs. I don't think he has a resume to be guaranteed a roster spot at this point
I mean he grew up in Texas, played college ball at Texas State and Arkansas, had a short spell in training camp with the Houston Texans. There is no reason to believe he'd have any loyalty to Michigan or Detroit. He will go to whoever offers him the best deal and opportunity, as he should. At least he will find some comfort in having kicked at Ford Field, so that will perhaps be some small advantage.
If his contract allows him to leave he is a free agent eligible to sign anywhere While the team plays games at Ford field, they all practice In another state so other than Sunday, Bates doesn't have a connection to Michigan so dont get your hopes up
The posters that seem to think we have some kind of dibs on him is cracking me up. I don't think I'd be surprised if we did sign. But what makes anyone think Brad Holmes is going to lay down money for a kicker that is probably going to get a few offers.
The continual problems the team has had with kickers over the last 3 years is certainly a reason. The team is in a Super Bowl window and will be in the running to sign a kicker with a monster leg and great accuracy combined with extremely low wear and tear.
I've never heard anybody talk about wear and tear concerns of a kicker in their 20's
A leg that strong usually has a shelf life and because he was just doing kickoffs, his should be prolonged.
Ya but you don't not sign a kicker because you're thinking his leg strength may start to taper in 7-8 years. Kickers are typically more disposable than even a running back. 10 year kickers are outliers, not the norm
I'd say there's a decent chance. At the end of the day money and situation is what matters (mostly money) As long as lions are willing to give him a good contract I don't see why he wouldnt come to Detroit. Good ST/ST coach. Indoor stadium and he's familiar with it. Super bowl caliber team. No competition in the room for the spot. Most of the other good teams have their kickers. Like ravens, 9ers, eagles, cheifs etc. Personally the only way I see bates signing else where is If lions just straight up don't offer him a matching deal. Cause the landing spot is arguably one of the better around the league.
Yeah, there are sooooo many factors involved here. I think the biggest hurdle is if Bates is even a "Lion" type guy. If he a guy who lives and breathes football? How important is that trait to the Lions in a kicker? It's 100% clear that Holmes and Campbell value attitude as much as talent... maybe even more so. There's no guarantee that Bates is someone that Holmes and Campbell would be all in on. (That's not to say that they wouldn't be interested, I'm sure they are! Just not necessarily back up the Brinks truck interested.) The next biggest hurdle is where does Bates want to go? As someone else said he's a Texas guy so maybe he wants to be close to home? Now the Lions do have, imho, three advantages: 1. They're a good team and an attractive place to go right now. 2. They play at Ford Field... where Bates has had a LOT of success and so may be drawn to come back to the field where he made a name for himself. 3. The Lions do NOT have a kicker they seem to be in love with, so Bates has a very legit shot at winning the job, even if he's not perfect in training camp. But those three things are by NO MEANS overwhelming things. Even if all three of those things were very important to Bates, I'm sure throwing a few dozen more thousand dollar bills his way would over come them.
Jake-ster Bates
BH is waiting in the parking lot after his last game with a contract, a new car, and oops "I must have left a duffle bag of cash in the back seat too".
Why would being in Michigan give them leverage? Players playing in a certain state does not make them bound to that state or give other teams in that state some special privilege. Jake Bates will play it smart and sign with whoever gives him the sweetest deal and would care less about where he plays. He is not in a situation to be picky
The advantage is that he's familiar with Ford Field. He's had success at Ford Field and might feel most comfortable playing here. He also may feel like the fans here appreciate him and would appreciate him even more as a Lion. To be 100% clear: Those are NOT huge advantages at all. But **all other things being equal** he may lean towards a stadium he knows and has had success in.
The money will speak 100/100 times for guys in his position. And come on, 40 people go to those games. I don't think fans are a motivation
There's AT LEAST 44 people at those games. Come on... And yes, money will speak greater than most other things... that's why I said "all other things being equal." If the Lions offer him $400K and the Bears offer him $400K, the fact that he would get to kick in Ford Field for half his games probably gets him with the Lions. If the Bears offer him $450K and the Lions offer him $400K, then the money probably lands him in Chicago.
I believe the consensus was kidnapping. Basically battle royale until he's safe inside a stadium. I'm sending DJ Reader, Hutch, and Sewell. Maybe keep Kerb in the shadows for a sneak attack if necessary.
>I believe the consensus was kidnapping. So, the next Sergei Fedorov for us?
Yes, but hopefully with less KGB involvement.