The Las Vegas Raiders have waived undrafted rookie kicker Kansei Matsuzawa, leaving veteran Matt Gay as the kicker heading into the regular season. Here is a look at what it means:
No contest:
This was supposed to be one of the top battles in the Raiders’ training camp. But it never really developed. Matsuzawa, dubbed “The Tokyo Toe,” was a dud, especially in preseason games. He never really pushed the veteran Gay. It was an easy, obvious decision.
Is Gay safe?
For now, but for many NFL placekickers,
job security is a week-to-week audition and that may be the case for Gay. He played for two teams last season and has been just a so-so kicker in recent years. However, Gay,32, did have success under Raiders special teams coach Joe Decamillis earlier this decade with the Rams. So, there is belief in Gay. Still, if he struggles, the Raiders could look elsewhere.
What’s next for Matsuzawa?
The Raiders could put him on the practice squad to develop him. It has already been discussed, so that route wouldn’t be a surprise. The former Hawaii star has talent, but he’s raw and he needs to be developed. It may be worth the Raiders’ time to keep him in the program even if he’s a couple of years away from being NFL ready.
