Caleb Sturgis facing make or break game in ‘dress rehearsal’ Saturday night
By Travis Wakeman
The Los Angeles Chargers’ kicking competition could come down to one game.
To this point, you’d have to say that Roberto Aguayo is winning that competition and for some, that is likely hard to fathom. Caleb Sturgis is the guy who was brought in after signing a two-year contract this offseason and Aguayo was expected to just make him earn the job.
Instead, the former second-round pick is pushing him toward the exit door.
Aguayo has been kicking with the first team, but Sturgis will get the chance on Saturday night against the New Orleans Saints. It goes without saying that he might need a flawless performance.
Working with the first team, Roberto Aguayo finished 7 of 8 on field goals today, with a long of 53 yards. Only miss came from 53. Lynn said Caleb Sturgis will handle field goals vs. Saints on Saturday.
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) August 24, 2018
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Placekicking may be a small part of the game, but when the game is on the line, it becomes a major part. Fans of the Chargers found that out last season when they watched in horror as multiple kickers lost games. That is why you read about the kicker position so much around here. It’s one the team has to get right.
It’s easy to say that the team should have been more patient and drafted a kicker in April. Guys like Daniel Carlson or Eddy Pineiro might look pretty good in a Chargers uniform right now.
But that isn’t the case.
The team would probably like to see Sturgis turn the corner and win this job. He’s the guy the front office made the investment in. The fanbase may want to root for him too, as it would be a little ironic if the team that had more kicking troubles than any in the league last season suddenly had to rely on a guy who has been one of the league’s shakiest kickers over the last couple of seasons.