The Detroit Lions’ roster did not have many questions marks going into the 2024 season, but the kicker position was one of them. They are unproblematic after two games. Nevertheless, on Wednesday, the organization signed Matthew McCrane, a former United Football League kicker, to its practice squad. No, the decision does not reflect poorly on Jake Bates, the rookie who previously participated in the UFL. This season, he is perfect at field goals (5 for 5) and extra points (3 for 3), albeit all of his kicks have come from within 40 yards.
A day after the New York Giants signed veteran Greg Joseph off Detroit is practice squad, McCrane’s addition only adds depth. Nevertheless, McCrane appears to be a valuable addition.
He trailed only Bates by one place in the league’s made field goals category (16), which was achieved with two less attempts, for an 80% conversion rate with a long of 58 this past spring in the UFL season. Having never been given the opportunity to start for an NFL team, McCrane, 30, was a superstar at Kansas State from 2014 to 2017. Since then, he has been up and down with a few NFL teams, mostly as competition. In the spring professional leagues such as the UFL and the American Football League, he has shown good performance. Bates has performed admirably thus far, and perhaps he will continue to do so; if not, the Lions have another alternative at their disposal.
He trailed only Bates by one place in the league’s made field goals category (16), which was achieved with two less attempts, for an 80% conversion rate with a long of 58 this past spring in the UFL season. Having never been given the opportunity to start for an NFL team, McCrane, 30, was a superstar at Kansas State from 2014 to 2017. Since then, he has been up and down with a few NFL teams, mostly as competition. In the spring professional leagues such as the UFL and the American Football League, he has shown good performance. Bates has performed admirably thus far, and perhaps he will continue to do so; if not, the Lions have another alternative at their disposal.
