Baltimore Ravens: Does Justin Tucker have an Argument for a New Deal Now?

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) celebrates with teammates after kicking field goal against the New England Patriots in the third quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens recently gave punter Sam Koch a new five-year extension, which still leaves two more players that need extensions. Kicker Justin Tucker and offensive tackle Marshal Yanda are headed into contract years, so the two players should expect some sort of discussions on new deals.

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New England Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski’s new four-year deal worth more than $17 million could help Tucker obtain his new deal. Gostkowskie’s new contract makes him the highest paid kicker in the NFL.

Tucker posted a tweet about the veteran’s new deal, so we can only think this has him thinking about his upcoming negations for his deal. If he can get a big pay out, the Ravens’ kicker could be looking at a similar deal.

The Ravens’ kicker is headed into his fourth NFL season, while the Patriots’ is in his 10th. The fourth-year kicker has the higher career kicking percentage, but the veteran had the better overall season in 2014 with a 94.6 kicking percentage.

In just three seasons, Tucker has made 20 field goals from 50 yards and beyond. Gostkowski has made only 17 in his entire career with New England.

Tucker was perfect from within 50 yards last season, and he has never missed a field goal in the postseason.

The young kicker has a career long of 61 yards compared to the veteran’s career long of 54 yards. It does not take too long looking at the stats that Tucker has the stronger leg. He also attempts more long kicks than the Patriot’s kicker.

From within 50 yards, the Ravens’ kicker was perfect, while Gostkowski missed twice. Tucker also attempted nine kicks from 50 yards out, so he had a greater chance to miss at that distance. If the New England kicker had the same attempts, I doubt he would be able to maintain his perfect number, which for him, was one-for-one in 2014.

The former Texas player would have a much better percentage for the season (85.3) if he did not have the stronger leg to be able to attempt more kicks from 50 yards or more. They are both very good kickers, and they play in different dynamics on their respective teams.

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Gostkowski is a part of the Patriots who have the high-powered offense behind Tom Brady. The Ravens do not have the same lethal offense, so Tucker has a different variety of kicks.

He may be asked to kick in a fourth-down situation that New England would rather have Brady go for it. A field goal that Tucker kicks may be more important, because Joe Flacco may not be able to score as quickly or as guaranteed as the four-time Super Bowl champion.

With the added distance to extra points, a kicker is an important part to a team. Now that the veteran has been given this new deal, Tucker has a lot more room to argue when it comes to discuss his new contract.

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