By Robin Lalisse
With 980 points in the last ten years for Buffalo, kicker Rian Lindell needed just 32 to become the team’s all-time leading scorer (kicker Steve Christie had 1,011 points).
But the Bills announced this morning that Lindell was no longer on the team:
Several veterans like Mark Anderson, Donald Jones, Nick Barnett, and George Wilson have already met the end of their Bill careers with the new Doug Marrone regime. Lindell, despite signing a four-year, $10 million contract last February and being the longest-tenured current player, turned out to be no different.
The drafting of Dustin Hopkins from Florida State, who has a monster leg and has already recorded three touchbacks on kickoffs this preseason. Hopkins has also made all four of his field goal attempts, although none longer than 39 yards.
Here was some early reaction on Twitter
Hopkins hasn’t been consistent in camp, but he did set the NCAA Division I FBS record for career points scored by a kicker with 466, and was a two-time finalist for the Lou Groza award for the nation’s best kicker. As a sophomore in 2010, Hopkins made a 55 yard game winning field goal against Clemson, showing both leg strength and clutch play.
Lindell, 36, missed only one of his 306 extra point attempts with Buffalo, and stands 10th all-time in games played in team history with 152. No Bills special teams player appeared in more games than Lindell.
Marrone knew it was a very tough decision to make, and can empathize with Lindell’s situation.
“A lot of times those decisions are tough,” said Marrone. ”I know about those things. I was released six times myself. I understand what the players go through. I understand what it’s like in that meeting. I want to make sure that I’m giving that player a lot of respect when those times come. Rian is one of the top professionals I’ve been around.”
Hopkins spoke to the media today and while he is sad to see Lindell go, he is ready to step in and capitalize on his new opportunity.
“I find myself in a paradox,” said Hopkins. “”It was only a short time, but I consider him a friend. I need to make every kick, whether its a 55 yard (field goal) or an extra point.”
With Hopkins, the Bills’ three kicking specialists (Long snapper Garrison Sanborn and Punter Shawn Powell) are former Florida State University players.
Other Practice Notes:
- Wide Receiver Stevie Johnson said that he is playing on Saturday against the Washington Redskins, according to buffalobills.com.
- Marrone said that undrafted rookie Wide Receiver Da’Rick Rogers “flashes the ability to win, but it’s a little bit up and down,” though “he should be a fine player” if consistent. Rogers caught a deep ball from fellow undrafted rookie quarterback Jeff Tuel.
- Rookie Wide Receiver Marquise Goodwin caught a deep touchdown again today. Goodwin continues to be nearly unstoppable on downfield passes in practice. It will be interesting to see how much playing time he gets on Saturday.
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