The Indianapolis Colts’ kicking competition is absolutely going down to the wire, and what was once a clear lead for Blake Grupe has completely flipped. For most of training camp, Grupe looked like the guy, making kicks at a much higher rate in practice than Spencer Shrader. But boy, has that changed!
The Preseason Showdown
Over the last two weeks, with real preseason games happening, Shrader has “really closed the gap,” according to special teams coordinator Brian Mason, who spoke on Monday via The Athletic’s James Boyd. This isn’t just talk either. Shrader is now a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts heading into the final preseason game. Get this: two of those were from over 50 yards! Meanwhile, Grupe has hit a rough patch, going 0-for-2 in the preseason games. It’s a tale of two kickers when the lights come on, right?
What “Carries the Most Weight”
Looking at the overall offseason stats, Grupe still holds a slight edge, making 86% of his attempts compared to Shrader’s 81%. However, Brian Mason made it super clear what really matters. He said in-game kicks are going to “carry the most weight” when they make their final decision. And as of now, there’s no decision. This thing is wide open.
Both Grupe and Shrader are set to kick in the preseason finale against Detroit. It’s the last shot to prove it on the field, with everything on the line. Talk about pressure!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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