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The Great Kicking Battle of 2018

By Tyler Schoon

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Caleb Sturgis #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts and is congratulated by Zach Ertz #86 after he kicked a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Caleb Sturgis #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts and is congratulated by Zach Ertz #86 after he kicked a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Caleb Sturgis
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Caleb Sturgis /

What do you get when three men fight for the same job? War!

Many significant battles have defined America throughout history. There’s General Washington crossing the Delaware on Christmas. The battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War. Storming the beaches of Normandy. Those battles? Child’s play; parts of splendid little wars, in fact, when compared to the forthcoming battle between three men:

The Great Kicking Battle of 2018.

The numbers:

Roberto Aguayo

  • Age: 23
  • Money: 2 years, $1.2 million
  • 2017 kicking percentage: n/a
  • Career kicking percentage: 71.0 percent (31 attempts)

Nick Rose

  • Age: 23
  • Money: 2 years, $1.02 million
  • 2017 kicking percentage: 33.33 percent (3 attempts)
  • Career kicking percentage: 78.6 percent (14 attempts)

Caleb Sturgis

  • Age: 28
  • Money: 2 years, $4.45 million
  • 2017 kicking percentage: 100 percent (3 attempts)
  • Career kicking percentage: 81.0 percent (137 attempts)

The Chargers currently carry more kickers than….

  • Fullbacks
  • Punters
  • Kellen Clemens has good plays

at the time of writing this article. And it’s going to be one fun kind of an offseason.

Bored during free agency? Hoping the team signed a big name? Not to worry! The kickers are here to kickstart your heart. The youngest of the bunch, and likely the underdog, is former second-round draft pick (that’s not a joke) Roberto Aguayo.

And when I say underdog, I mean… well, watch

Robert Aguayo's 1st kick as a Bear ? #Tag #friends#Chicago #Bears #FeedDaBears #Bucs #Buccaneers #SiegeTheDay #nfl #football #eclipse pic.twitter.com/WCknLedD99

— Going 75 (@WeAreGoing75) August 21, 2017

That being said, Aguayo had two seasons of 90 percent accuracy in college and an 81 percent rate his final season, and can boot a football with a strong leg that made 23 field goals of 40+ yards in that three-year span. He’s got a shot.

The next man up is a guy the Bolts signed late in the season, Nick Rose.

First FG try for new Chargers* kicker, Nick Rose. Shank City. So, it's still 7-0 over the Jets.

— Tom Krasovic (@SDUTKrasovic) December 24, 2017

Not the best start, but the guy should be given a chance, especially after going 10-for-11 with the Washington Redskins, albeit at a small sample size. It’s unfortunate during the season to watch Rose miss most of his kicks with the Bolts, but he still has a shot of winning the battle. Not a dark horse candidate like Aguayo, though.

Finally, the biggest splash of free agency:

We got a kicker ?

Welcome, @CalebSturgis1! pic.twitter.com/eDFMxdBza5

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) March 16, 2018

A whopping two-year, $4.45 million deal. Caleb Sturgis is the only true veteran kicker on the roster, and is likely the favorite going forward. Does that mean he’ll automatically win the job? No, and based on last year, “winning” the job (Koo over Lambo) doesn’t always translate to having the best kicker.

It’s not only going to be an epic kicking battle, but also a story with a romantic sub-plot. At the center of this trio of kickers is punter Drew Kaser

Welcome to LA @CalebSturgis1 let’s get to work https://t.co/WqZdPyOLNj

— Drew Kaser (@drewkaser) March 17, 2018

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How does one holder manage three different kickers? Do they take turns, Bachelor style, hanging out until Kaser offers them a rose (haha, Rose, get it?)? Is it like speed dating, where Kaser has a short period of time to meet with Aguayo, Rose, and Sturgis? Do the Los Angeles Chargers bring in another punter and create a pentagon of relationships? These are the important questions that need to be answered.

In all seriousness, I’m glad to see the Chargers addressing the problem with the kicking game. I don’t necessarily care who wins the battle at this point, I’m Switzerland; as long as the best man wins the job, and performs well during the regular season, I’m good. If you can’t tell by this article or my Twitter page, I’m a little bored throughout this 2018 free agency. Which is a good thing for the team.

Can’t wait to see the “battle” play out this summer. Do you have a favorite to win the job? Let me know. Go Bolts!

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