The Detroit Lions may not need a kicker like UFL’s Jake Bates after all. Here’s why.
Understandably, Detroit Lions fans have been fascinated by the story of Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates. The UFL kicker has seemingly come out of nowhere to blast 50 and 60-yard field goals right here in Ford Field. And given that Detroit’s kicking situation has been erratic at best over the past three years, Bates’ accuracy and power would be a welcome addition to the Lions’ special teams unit.
However, during Thursday’s Organized Team Activity, we saw that the Lions may already have the accurate, powerful leg they need to revive a struggling kicking game.
Michael Badgley has been on and off the Lions’ roster for the past two seasons, and his overall accuracy has already been pretty solid. In 16 total regular season games, He’s made 24-of-28 field goals and 46 of 48 extra points. The common complaint about him, however, is his lack of distance kicking. Though he made a 59-yard field goal in his rookie season in 2018, he has yet to convert a kick longer than 53 yards in the regular season since.
That could be changing this season.
Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said on Thursday that Badgley has been working diligently to add distance to his game again.
“He’s worked hard on bringing his range out maybe a little bit further than it’s been and has looked good doing it,” Fipp said.
And while our exposure to this improvement has been minimal thus far, it’s worth noting that Badgley was a perfect 2-for-2 during situational kicks on Thursday, converting on field goals of 52 and 60 yards.
Beyond that, there were field goal drills happening during an 11-on-11 period, and while I was focused on the offense vs. defense drills, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News had an eye on the kicking, and here’s how he described Badgley’s performance.
“He banged home several 50-plus-yard field goals working on the side, often clearing the crossbar with several yards to spare.”
Badgley does already have competition in Lions practice. Detroit signed undrafted rookie kicker James Turner, formerly of the Michigan Wolverines . Turner had an extremely accurate final season at Michigan, making 18-of-21 field goals and 65-of-66 extra points. Although Turner’s longest kick in college was 50 yards, Fipp said he has a much bigger leg than people know.
“(He) has got a huge leg. I know (he) doesn’t hit a million long balls, but he has plenty of leg in him,” Fipp said.” Very, very good. Much better than average.”
Turner, too, made his 52-yard situational kick, but his 60-yard kick was a couple yards wide—but it had the distance. Still, Fipp said they aren’t just bringing Turner in to be a “camp leg”—a term he’s clearly not fond of.
“I would never tell a player you’re coming in here just to service a role or be another camp leg, some people call it. Like, I don’t get that at all,” Fipp said. “I think any time you bring somebody in, you’re giving them a chance to compete for a job, so I certainly see it that way.”
As for Bates, he certainly continues to impress for the Panthers. He’s 15-of-18 in the UFL with makes from 64, 62, and 55. However, Fipp wasn’t taking the bait when asked about him.
“I’ve seen him. I’m not going to go into specific on any individual player but, obviously, I’m happy for the kid,” Fipp said. “He’s having a great year and, from what I understand, has a pretty cool story.”