Most Lionbackers did not agree with the decision at the time to not keep McCallum as our field goal kicker in 2015....and they were right on.
Now its late in the season of 2016 and McCallum is back as our field goal kicker.
The punting of Leone was something else. Too bad he can't split the uprights though...Cardiac Kid June 2014
I had that gut sense at training camp. You're talking two rookies. It only makes sense to keep both to start the season at least. Then you have an inhouse Plan B should one falter. I wouldn't be adverse to them splitting duties for the whole season if need be as it could create a two-headed kicking monster. QMan
Fera badly shanks a punt. Dilemma for Jeff Tedford. Leone is a natural punter learning to kick field goals. Fera is a natural field goal kicker learning how to punt. by TheLionKing
He was a punter in college, only a backup FG kicker. no way can he kick FGs professionally.
Good punter though.
QMan June 2014
SPECIAL TEAMS This is my biggest area of concern right now. We will be a better punting and kick off team with Leone. We'll miss the sure footed McCallum for field goals inside the 40.
Blitz June 2014.
I hate it when people answer a question with a question, but I'm going to here. Paul was the West Division All-Star field goal kicker while making 90.5% of his field goals this year (longest 49 yards) and, until we know that Richie Leone is an accurate field goal kicker, why would you not pick up his option? David June 2014
McCallum also has not lost any leg strength. He can still hit field goals from 53 yards. The coaches have been reluctant to let him kick outside the 45 yard line for fear of giving up big returns but that's not on McCallum. B.C. Fan June 2014.
Wow, I guess I openly disagree with a lot of other Lionbackers. I wouldn't bring either Schmitt or McCallum back.
The Pauser June 2014.
I agree with you Pauser . Macallum never leaves you feeling any confidence whether he is punting or kicking a field goal, penw 2014.
McCallum, not Scmidt should be at TC, along with a few others who hopefully are ready to beat McCallum out of a job. Dano T. June 2014.
McCallum has been money as a FG kicker in his remarkable career. West Coast Joe 2014.
We need to keep McCallum around. At this point we do not have a replacement for him. That could change between now and next season, but for now he's insurance. Spud 387
Was trying to debunk the myth that McCallum only trots out onto the field to kick chip shots of 30 yards or less, and extra points. This makes a fairly good case (not to mention the West All-Star nod he received this year).
Would I like an "all in one" kicker with slightly better range? Sure. But until ones comes along, we could do a lot worse than McCallum kicking field goals. David June 2014.
Paul can still kick the FG's but for ones that might be further out of range, give them to the new guy with the understanding that he is to try is best and who knows, by the end of the next season, we may have a viable replacement. Sir Percival June 2014.
I don't know what wally & Jeff were thinking with Paul, you have paul kick everything inside 45yds and then Leone be the long range guy, kickoffs and Punter. problem solved. Paul would only take the spot held by some 3rd string cdn linebacker or receiver who is never going to play. QMan 2104,
The big question is what do the Lions gain or lose by asking McCallum to retire?
What our Leos lose is McCallum made 38 of the 42 field goals he attempted last season, leading the CFL with a 90.5 per cent success rate. In the last six years, McCallum was good on 221 of 249 attempts — an 88.8 per cent conversion rate way ahead of his career average of 80.3. He has amassed 3,022 points in the CFL and never missed a convert, going 792-for-792. (Vancouver Sun)
In other words, he was 'money' inside the 43 yard line. Most CFL teams don't attempt a lot of long field goals anymore because there are so many dangerous return guys out there and missed field goals set up the most potential for a return to go all the way.
What do the Lions gain. First of all, McCallum was highly paid. Secondly Tedford and GM Wally Buono have said the team wants to consolidate kicking and punting into one position, which would free up a roster spot. If the Lions go with an import kicker, it means they can use their 21st and final non-import spot for another backup lineman or a Canadian linebacker to play on special teams.
Ian McIntyre of the Vancouver Sun asks Is that more important than having a field-goal kicker who rarely misses, noting McCallum was a sure thing on field goals inside 45 yards. That gave teammates confidence and allowed Lulay the freedom to make plays in the offensive third of the field knowing that if it came to third down, at least the Lions weren’t leaving empty-handed.
Travis Lulay, in the article stated "Offensively, we almost took it for granted at times because once we got to the 35-yard line, we knew we were scoring points. We just knew it. If we didn’t score seven, we knew we were getting three. There was a shock factor whenever he missed a field goal.”
Ryan Phillips wondered about the timing of the decision, noting that neither import kicker has kicked in game action yet."II was definitely surprised for it to happen before a game,” veteran defensive back Ryan Phillips said after Friday’s walk-through at Thompson Rivers University. “Don’t get me wrong, these new guys are definitely booming the ball. I’m seeing them booming the ball. (But) I’m a guy who likes to see the proof in the pudding. That’s how I am. Even if someone looks like something in practice, I want to see him under the lights. It’s a different ball game when you’re under the lights, a different type of pressure”.
Our Leos had the choice of using McCallum as a field goal kicker and an import as a punter, kickoff specialist, and for the occasional long field goal try while keeping a very high percentage field goal kicker who has ice in his veins under game pressure situations.
They've chosen not to split the duties and use the game roster spot that McCallum would occupy for an extra backup.
Blitz
My conclusion from watching McCallum kick last year and reviewing the stats is that he still had an effective range of 50 yards but the coaches were reluctant to attempt field goals from beyond the 45 yard line for fear of giving up a big return
B.C. Fan