Giants Sign Randy Bullock as Graham Gano Prepares for Surgery
The New York Giants have made a significant move to address their kicking situation. According to sources, the team is signing kicker Randy Bullock to the practice squad as Graham Gano prepares to undergo surgery on his left knee. This decision comes after Gano has been dealing with the knee problem for several weeks and struggled in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
Gano, who has been trying to kick through the injury, missed two field goals in the game, including a crucial 35-yard attempt in the final minute. In his post-game interview, Gano took full responsibility for his performance and expressed his frustration. “I have no excuses. That’s not who I am,” he said. “I’ve got to play better.”
Coach Brian Daboll initially believed that Gano was “all right” and that the team was comfortable with his health. However, it has now been determined that Gano will need surgery and is expected to be placed on injured reserve. The extent of his absence from the field is yet to be determined.
In light of Gano’s impending surgery, the Giants held a kicker tryout after practice on Thursday. The tryout included Randy Bullock, former Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby, and Robbie Gould, who most recently kicked for the San Francisco 49ers. Ultimately, Bullock, who had a brief stint with the Giants in 2016, was signed after the tryout.
Gano, 36, has been the Giants’ most reliable player in recent seasons, earning him a lucrative contract extension this offseason. However, this year has been a struggle for him, as he has only made 64.7% of his field goal attempts. Most of his misses have come in recent weeks since he appeared on the injury report with the knee problem.
The missed 35-yard field goal against the Jets could potentially be Gano’s last kick of the season. The play was marred by controversy, as Jets defensive lineman Will McDonald leaped over the offensive line and was in Gano’s face when he kicked. This may have affected the outcome of the kick, which was followed by an unexpected Jets comeback.
Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey labeled McDonald’s play as “illegal” due to his alignment. He explained that McDonald was covering the center, which is against the rules. When asked about the league’s response to the play, head coach Brian Daboll chose to keep it private.
As for Randy Bullock, the 33-year-old kicker spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, where he had an 85% success rate on field goal attempts. His experience and reliability make him a suitable replacement for Gano during his absence.
The Giants, currently with a 2-6 record, are hoping that Bullock can step in and provide stability in the kicking game. With Gano’s uncertain timeline for return, Bullock’s performance will be crucial in determining the team’s success moving forward.
In conclusion, the New York Giants have signed Randy Bullock to their practice squad as Graham Gano prepares for knee surgery. Gano has been struggling with the injury for weeks and his performance in Sunday’s game prompted the team to take action. Bullock, a seasoned kicker with a successful track record, is expected to fill in during Gano’s absence. The Giants are hopeful that Bullock can provide stability in the kicking game and contribute to the team’s success.