The Curse of Matt Stover

With the release of Steve Hauschka and subsequent signing journeyman kicker Billy Cundiff, the Ravens have fully acknowledged that they made a mistake in the handling of the place-kicker position this off-season.

Ozzie Newsome, widely regarded as one of the leagues top GM’s, has made some extraordinary personnel moves over his career in Baltimore, however, he has made his fair share of blunders, this current kicker situation being the most recent.

In the past he has missed on high draft picks the likes of Travis Taylor, Kyle Boller (Brian Billick shares most of the blame for this disaster), Dan Cody (who I was excited about, but could never stay healthy), and Mark Clayton (The jury is still out on him, but considering he has never risen past the level of number two receiver on a weak receiving corps, I think it is pretty safe to say he has not met expectations).

Like most GM’s he has struggled to make a big impact on the field with his free-agent signings. Dominique Foxworth, Chris Carr and L.J. Smith have been complete non-factors. On the other hand, Kelly Washington has been a pleasant surprise.

With the Colts coming to town this weekend Ravens fans will have the pleasure of seeing Matt Stover at least one last time. Unfortunately he will be on the opposite sideline. The rationale behind cutting Stover before the season was that the Ravens would have to use an extra roster spot to carry two kickers because they felt that Stover would not be able to kick-off or hit long field goals. I refuse to believe that keeping Edgar Jones, Oneil Cousins or Frank Walker on the team was worth losing Stover.

Matt Stover is legend in Baltimore and he deserves a roster spot on this team until his leg falls off, I don’t care who you have to cut to make this happen. I hope if the Ravens lose this Sunday it is on a last second field goal by Money Matt Stover.