Ryan Succop was released by the Kansas City Chiefs this afternoon when the team cut from 75 men to the mandatory 53-men. Cairo Santos will take over as the Chiefs kicking duties in his place.
The final selection in the 2009 draft, the first conducted by Scott Pioli, Succop leaves the Chiefs as the franchises all-time most accurate kicker. In 147 kicks, Succop split the uprights in 119 of them which is good for an 81-percent success rate.
But Succop’s lack of leg strength on kickoffs and his inconsistency in field goal attempts beyond 40 yards put his job on the line this offseason. Santos comes in with a much bigger leg (and a much lighter contract) and was able to match Succop kick for kick this preseason. John Dorsey and Andy Reid apparently saw enough to pull the plug on Succop.
Wow..don't know where to start. What an awesome 5 yrs in KC! I loved every minute of being a @KCChiefs. So blessed to have played for (1/2)
— Ryan Succop (@ryansuccop) August 30, 2014
such a great organization, fans, coaches & teammates. Too many great memories to count. Thank you Kansas City! #blessed #thankful (2/2)
— Ryan Succop (@ryansuccop) August 30, 2014
The narrative now switches to whether or not the Chiefs made the right decision to roll with the rookie kicker instead of the stable veteran. Santos does have the bigger leg and smaller contract but he also doesn’t have the experience (or maybe even accuracy) of Succop. Is the trade off worth it, Addicts? Did the Chiefs make the right decision?