|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,205
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,205 |
Quote:
Lou Groza's still the best, though. (I actually saw him kick ...)
I saw Groza kick too, and I would grant you he kicked at what might have been the only tougher place than CBS - the old Municipal Stadium. Lou had to kick off of frozen divots of mud, and painted dirt, in winds equal to those Phil faced. He also played OT in the first decade or so of his career. It was a different era. But the numbers don't lie. Groza's career FG% was 54.9%, Dawson's was 84%. Groza had a total of 7 FGs over 50 yards, Dawson had 7 last year alone, and 24 so far in his career. Dawson's career % of FGs over 50 yards is higher than Groza's overall FG % - 70% vs 54.9%. Both deserve high accolades, but Phil was the better PK. We've been lucky to have some great PK's here; Groza, Don Cockroft, Matt Bahr, Matt Stover, and Phil, but none were as consistent or as clutch as #4.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475 |

Thanks Dawson for the years of kicking prowess that we have experienced. The good news is Murphy's Law - Now we will start winning n those FGs n designed KO will have deeper meaning n we won't have that edge!
Dustin Hopkins - maybe worth one of our 6th round picks... Hopefully we utilize some $$$ n sign the Raider Punter Lachley or something...
Cribbs, Dawson (Hodges actually a subtraction that is a Plus) we took a hit on our Special teams. Did we sign our LS long term?
I knew we weren't going to sign him...but I'm still in shock. The only continuity we had over the years. Proof - You don't build a team around your Kicker 
Good to read you again Michelle
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
i didn't get to see Groza kick, but i'd give it to him based on the fact that he was on the OL and sometimes DL before lining up to kick.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,205
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 13,205 |
Just to be clear, I'm not arguing who's the better football player, but who is the better PK. The numbers say its not even close. But Groza made the HOF, and I doubt Phil even sniffs it, so you'd have to give Lou the big edge as far as being a football player.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,856
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,856 |
yeah look at the 49ers and Akers.. oh wait...
#gmstrong
A smart person knows what to say.
A wise person knows whether or not to say it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
oh, any kicker now is better than kickers then. there isn't a question as people have definitely figured out the best ways to kick the football (and being specialized and not as banged up as playing on the LOS certainly helps with that too)
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 52
Rookie
|
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 52 |
Good luck Phil, you will be missed. our new kicker http://www.youtube.com/v/jDwbjHV8jLoJ/K, but cool vid.
Here we go again
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,643
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,643 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,887
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,887 |
Quote:
Good luck Phil, you will be missed. our new kicker
http://www.youtube.com/v/jDwbjHV8jLo
J/K, but cool vid.
SIGN HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,189
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,189 |
Looks like he should be our new quarterback. 
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,887
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,887 |
Quote:
Looks like he should be our new quarterback.
Is there a rule you have to throw the ball with your hands?? Can't we have him punt the ball to our WR's. 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12,635
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12,635 |
Quote:
Quote:
Looks like he should be our new quarterback.
Is there a rule you have to throw the ball with your hands?? Can't we have him punt the ball to our WR's.
Lol, it potentially could be more accurate than Weeden throwing the ball in a clean pocket, LOL! 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,419
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,419 |
That's some impressive stuff, especially the short, extreme angles through the uprights.
The fact that he can drop a placekick exactly where he wants it to drop is pretty amazing too.
However, without a rush, it's hard to know how good he could really be. That was a damned impressive demonstration though.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,140
Dawg Talker
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,140 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Good for him, sucks for us.
THE DAWSON CURSE IS OVER!
Browns over 49ers in the 2014 Super Bowl :-P
I like the Super Bowl part, but man I can't think of a worse first post. He was a blessing.
After the shock of the inevitable happening, and thinking of all the good moments, the Dawson bar, the onsides to himself, northcut onsides, all those fiftys after they figured he could hit them and many others like the fake field goal he ran for the first, but could have gotten the td if "my belly wouldnt have carried me out of bounds". After those thoughts I realized I have never owned another jersey by ANYONE! Football basketball baseball. No other jersey. I really don't know what to do know. Besides wait for new jerseys next year.
Miss him already
LOL. Cannot think of a worse first post? That's a bit harsh.
I was responding to someone who said finally the last member of the '99 team was gone. Also note the :-P.
Obviously I'm not happy about him leaving. It seems like every time someone makes it to the Pro Bowl they leave us.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
well, we kept Derek Anderson post-probowl
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 582
All Pro
|
All Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 582 |
Quote:
Quote:
We lost a 38 year old kicker. That is not a huge mistake.
I repeat: PHIL DAWSON IS A KICKER.
The difference between a perennial contender and a bad organization is not field goals made or missed, it is touchdowns scored or prevented. You should stop focusing on what is not that important and start hoping the team improves in a meaningful way.
Ahh i agree, but what if you cant score any way but field goals? That does change the equation.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,246
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,246 |
Absolute 100% best of luck to the guy. As much as I can't stand the Niners, if they win the SB and it means Phil gets his ring, I'm totally fine with it.
That being said, time to move on, IMO. I would have loved to re-signed him, but we didn't. No use crying over spilled milk at this point.
I am unfamiliar with this feeling of optimism
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15,341
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15,341 |
Quote:
Absolute 100% best of luck to the guy. As much as I can't stand the Niners, if they win the SB and it means Phil gets his ring, I'm totally fine with it.
That being said, time to move on, IMO. I would have loved to re-signed him, but we didn't. No use crying over spilled milk at this point.
+1
John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 582
All Pro
|
All Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 582 |
Quote:
We probably didn't offer him a contract. Banner's history is to allow a player, even a great player, to leave a year too early than to carry him for a year too long.
He did so with David Akers, who Dawson is now replacing after a lousy year last year.
We all wonder how many great years Dawson has left, He's 38. He has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down at all ...... but he is 38, and that is extremely old for the NFL. He might kick for another 5 years and be extremely successful, but the odds are against it.
I would have tried to resign Dawson ..... but I can understand if the front office disagreed.
All the niners want him to do is kick a playoff or SB winning field goal. And we know he can!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,887
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,887 |
Quote:
Quote:
We probably didn't offer him a contract. Banner's history is to allow a player, even a great player, to leave a year too early than to carry him for a year too long.
He did so with David Akers, who Dawson is now replacing after a lousy year last year.
We all wonder how many great years Dawson has left, He's 38. He has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down at all ...... but he is 38, and that is extremely old for the NFL. He might kick for another 5 years and be extremely successful, but the odds are against it.
I would have tried to resign Dawson ..... but I can understand if the front office disagreed.
All the niners want him to do is kick a playoff or SB winning field goal. And we know he can!
Do we? Dawson hasn't had the opportunity to kick the game winning FG in a playoff game or the Superbowl. You never know, he might Vanderjagt it.
I wish him the best but won't root for him to get his ring until after the Browns have been eliminated from the possibility.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,027
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,027 |
I don't like the 49'ers, but it will be hard not to root for the guy. I hope he gets his shot.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,064
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,064 |
Good luck, Phil. One of the very few good things I have taken pride in since the Return. I will miss you and your heroics. You were mentally tough in the clutch. Keep doing your best. 
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9
Rookie
|
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9 |
I will be rooting for SF to win the Super Bowl this year cuz Phil deserves to get a ring. I guess I'm kinda figuring the Browns aren't ready this year so one of their most productive and awesome players since we've came back might as well get a ring! Good luck Phil and thanks for the memories!!! 
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 137
Practice Squad
|
Practice Squad
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 137 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
We lost a 38 year old kicker. That is not a huge mistake.
I repeat: PHIL DAWSON IS A KICKER.
The difference between a perennial contender and a bad organization is not field goals made or missed, it is touchdowns scored or prevented. You should stop focusing on what is not that important and start hoping the team improves in a meaningful way.
Ahh i agree, but what if you cant score any way but field goals? That does change the equation.
Nah, man, no equation is changed.
If you can't score touchdowns, you won't win football games regularly, no matter if your kicker is the best or worst in the league.
Worry about positions that affect the game in more meaningful ways before going nuts about a kicker.
Proud fan of the Pulaski Academy football strategy.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 22
Rookie
|
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 22 |
A sad day in Browns history, watching Phil leave. The writing has been on the wall though ... for quite some time. Change in regime was the nail in the coffin, so to speak.
Phil was an all-time great in this organization. In the era of the Brownies' rebirth, Phil was one of the best in the league, but totally ignored, due to playing in the forgotten realm of expansion Cleveland. It figures he finally gets a Pro Bowl nod on his way out of town.
Thanks for not only being a team player, # 4, but for being a wonderful member of the community. You will not be forgotten, you can be sure of that. I wish you the best in remaining years. If anyone deserves a ring, it's you. 
Cue Bobby Bare's "Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goalpost of Life"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475 |
Quote:
Change in regime was the nail in the coffin, so to speak.
pretty much ditto to everything you said except for the above. The Nail in the coffin was simply we ran out of Franchise Tags for him. 2011 - Tagged n no Long term contract signed. 2012 - Tagged n no Long Term contract signed...mandatory 20% raise. 2013 - Option to Tag but 3rd year in a row being Tagged would mean avg. Salary of top 5 salary of any player in the NFL not limited to Kickers.
So Dawson would be making top 5 QB avg. Pretty obvious to me - Dawson did not wish to be here long term. I am not admonishing him or anything for that but if he wanted to be here...between those 3 off seasons he would have signed a long term contract. Good luck n Good Health.
I am counting on the Murphy Law theory though!
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,544
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,544 |
second mistake this new FO made.
being a browns fan is like taking your dog to vet every week to be put down...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,850 |
Quote:
second mistake this new FO made.
was the first accepting a job with the Browns?
HEY-O!!!!
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475 |
Actually I think this was one of the few mistakes Heckert made...not locking him up w/2 Franchise Tags. Off season 2011 you got a certain period to negotiate a long term contract. Then same for 2012...but none were made. Usually a guy who wants to stay here will work out that long term contract. Now there was no real option to Franchise Dawson...no way ANY TEAM on this planet will pay Top 5 QB money to a kicker.
New guys fault...possibly. But Heckert is equally to blame if not more so. And I really, really liked Heckert.
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,544
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,544 |
Quote:
Actually I think this was one of the few mistakes Heckert made...not locking him up w/2 Franchise Tags. Off season 2011 you got a certain period to negotiate a long term contract. Then same for 2012...but none were made. Usually a guy who wants to stay here will work out that long term contract. Now there was no real option to Franchise Dawson...no way ANY TEAM on this planet will pay Top 5 QB money to a kicker.
New guys fault...possibly. But Heckert is equally to blame if not more so. And I really, really liked Heckert.
it happend in 2011. h&h didnt talk to him and he sold his house. that was the end. but i think banner could have paid the extra money and kept him here. maybe with a young kicker he could teach?
being a browns fan is like taking your dog to vet every week to be put down...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,643
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,643 |
He signed a small 1 year contract...it must be about the ring. Who can blame him?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,199
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,199 |
Quote:
i think banner could have paid the extra money and kept him here.
It's like this...most everyone loved Phil...And I was amazed when he kicked the FG's he did against Buffalo in the crazy snow / wind storm....
But I also got tired of a boring ass offense that couldn't excite the crowd and put " W's " in the record. It was let down after let down...
And if wasn't the Offense letting down it was the Defense... So if Banner is going to pay high bucks...It better be for a guy whose going to KEEP the FG kicker off the field....
FG's are necessary...But they shouldn't be depended on to win every sticking game...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,936
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,936 |
Quote:
Actually I think this was one of the few mistakes Heckert made...not locking him up w/2 Franchise Tags. Off season 2011 you got a certain period to negotiate a long term contract. Then same for 2012...but none were made. Usually a guy who wants to stay here will work out that long term contract. Now there was no real option to Franchise Dawson...no way ANY TEAM on this planet will pay Top 5 QB money to a kicker.
New guys fault...possibly. But Heckert is equally to blame if not more so. And I really, really liked Heckert.
Ehh... I don't know that we can really assign blame here. At this point in Phil's career, I think he was just looking to sign with a contender. The Niners signed him to a 1-year, $2.25 million contract. Clearly, it wasn't about the money or long-term security.
[color:"white"]"Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
-- Mark Twain [/color]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 316
2nd String
|
2nd String
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 316 |
Quote:
He signed a small 1 year contract...it must be about the ring. Who can blame him?
I'll be happy for him if he gets one. He deserves it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 919
All Pro
|
All Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 919 |
Were doomed, there goes our playoffs. 
GO BROWNS!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,544
Hall of Famer
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,544 |
Quote:
Quote:
Actually I think this was one of the few mistakes Heckert made...not locking him up w/2 Franchise Tags. Off season 2011 you got a certain period to negotiate a long term contract. Then same for 2012...but none were made. Usually a guy who wants to stay here will work out that long term contract. Now there was no real option to Franchise Dawson...no way ANY TEAM on this planet will pay Top 5 QB money to a kicker.
New guys fault...possibly. But Heckert is equally to blame if not more so. And I really, really liked Heckert.
Ehh... I don't know that we can really assign blame here. At this point in Phil's career, I think he was just looking to sign with a contender. The Niners signed him to a 1-year, $2.25 million contract. Clearly, it wasn't about the money or long-term security.
probley. but kickers dont get that much in the nfl. on his second franchise tag he got i think 3.25? his first was less.? naw he is getting the best of both worlds. the money and a good team.
being a browns fan is like taking your dog to vet every week to be put down...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12,635
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12,635 |
Quote:
Were doomed, there goes our playoffs.
Lol, Phil has been our only solid and consistent way of putting points on the board for quite a long time...
But still, best of luck to the guy. And best of luck to his family.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,475 |
wasn't really looking to Assign blame. I was pretty much sticking up for the present regime that were being blamed.
I think we paid him close to 5mil the last two years?
Hmmm 1 year contract looking for that SB ring No ill will towards him...but would oh so would love (among many other reasons far more important) win a SB ring n just look at him n Shrug our shoulders n say sorry man... 
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,133
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,133 |
Quote:
Niners signed him to a 1-year, $2.25 million contract. Clearly, it wasn't about the money or long-term security.
Just to put things in perspective, how many people here wouldn't find $2.25m as being long term security? Athlete salaries just blow me away sometimes.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
#GMSTRONG
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,825
Legend
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,825 |
Quote:
Quote:
Niners signed him to a 1-year, $2.25 million contract. Clearly, it wasn't about the money or long-term security.
Just to put things in perspective, how many people here wouldn't find $2.25m as being long term security? Athlete salaries just blow me away sometimes.
The market is what it is. I think player salaries are crazy. But on the other hand, that's the norm.
Good for phil. I wish him the best. Just as teams will cut someone that is making more than they should, regardless of the "contract", players should be able to cut teams for whatever reason they want when they reach free agency.
However, the 1 year deal, 2.25 mil.....Phil is looking for a ring, plus being "closer" to home (although, while texas is closer to Cal, than Ohio is - it's still a plane ride for his family).
I guess I'm surprised at the 1 year deal.......but it is what it is.
Good luck Phil. Loved you while you were here.
|
|
|
DawgTalkers.net
Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Phil Dawson to 49ers
|
|