Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Will Lions need a new kicker?
By Tom Carpenter
Detroit Lions fans haven't had a lot to be proud of over the past two decades, but there has been one steady and consistent thing about which they could hold their heads high: Jason Hanson. Of course, it says a lot about the condition of a franchise when their kicker quite often has been their best player year in and year out. Will he be on the squad in 2013 for a 22nd season? Hanson said that decision will come down to whether he is committed to another campaign, not money, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
“I think just taking some time just to make sure that I am determined to come back,” Hanson said at the end of the season. “I know this, I don’t want to fade away. I might. But as long as I feel that I’m ready to try to be the best and come back and be as good as ever, then I’m in.”
Hanson dealt with an injury this past season to the foot he plants on kicks, but he still attempted (36) and converted (32) the second most field goals of his lengthy career. At this point, it appears that both the Lions and Hanson are leaning toward a 22nd campaign together, but Hanson will have to decide soon, so the Lions know whether they will have to check the kicker market for the first time since the 1991.
