Kickers

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SI PLAYER RANKINGS FOR 2009 with 2008 stats	TOTAL POINTS	FIELD GOALS	EXTRA POINTS	FGS 40 YARDS OR LONGER	LONGEST FIELD GOAL	BYE WEEK
1. Jason Elam, Falcons	129	29/31	42/42	11/12	50	4
2. Garrett Hartley, Saints	67	13/13	28/28	4/4	47	5
3. David Akers, Eagles	144	33/40	45/45	10/15	51	4
4. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots	148	36/40	40/40	10/12	50	8
5. Lawrence Tynes, Giants	6	1/1	3/3	0/0	19	10
6. Robbie Gould, Bears	119	26/29	41/41	8/11	48	5
7. Mason Crosby, Packers	127	27/34	46/46	8/12	53	5
8. Nate Kaeding, Chargers	127	27/32	46/46	4/9	57	5
9. John Kasay, Panthers	130	28/31	46/46	12/15	50	4
10. Rob Bironas, Titans	127	29/33	40/40	16/20	51	7
11. Ryan Longwell, Vikings	127	29/34	40/40	12/15	54	9
12. Matt Prater, Broncos	114	25/34	39/40	10/17	56	7
13. Rian Lindell, Bills	124	30/38	34/34	11/18	53	9
14. Jay Feely, Jets	111	24/28	39/39	6/7	55	9
15. Kris Brown, Texans	124	29/33	37/37	10/13	53	10
16. Dan Carpenter, Dolphins	103	21/25	40/40	10/14	50	6
17. Shayne Graham, Bengals	78	21/24	15/15	9/11	45	8
18. Neil Rackers, Cardinals	119	25/28	44/44	7/8	54	4
19. Nick Folk, Cowboys	102	20/22	42/42	12/13	52	6
20. Steven Hauschka, Ravens	3	1/2	0/0	1/2	54	7
21. Joe Nedney, 49ers	121	29/33	34/34	10/14	53	6
22. Josh Brown, Rams	112	31/36	19/19	16/21	54	9
23. Jason Hanson, Lions	88	21/22	25/26	14/14	56	7
24. Jeff Reed, Steelers	117	27/31	36/37	9/12	53	8
25. Phil Dawson, Browns	108	30/36	18/18	8/12	56	9
26. Adam Vinatieri, Colts	103	20/25	43/43	6/9	52	6
27. Shaun Suisham, Redskins	103	26/36	25/25	12/20	50	8
28. Matt Bryant, Buccaneers	131	32/38	35/36	5/11	49	8
29. Olindo Mare, Seahawks	102	24/27	30/30	8/10	51	7
30. Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders	97	24/30	25/26	5/11	57	9
31. Josh Scobee, Jaguars	90	19/25	33/33	9/12	53	7
32. Connor Barth, Chiefs	54	10/12	24/24	1/2	45	8

Talking Points

• Jason Elam is the league's most consistent kicker, and he plays in a dome. To sweeten the deal, consider that the Falcons face a tough schedule, which could result in fewer PATs and more field goal attempts.

ON THE RISE

• The name Garrett Hartley may draw a few confused glances at your draft—that's how you know who didn't do their homework. From the time he took the field in mid-November, Hartley was the league's third-leading scorer, and he'll do even better behind New Orleans's amped-up offense.

• Lawrence Tynes missed most of last year with injury. Now he's back in the spot he had ceded to John Carney, who was third in the NFL in scoring in '08. Whoever fills the role, the Giants' kicker is a good man to have.

• When you think of Chicago, you think of wind and snow. But you know what? Over the past three seasons the Bears have tied for the league lead in kicking points, and it's because they have Robbie Gould.

• Matt Prater impressed with five field goals of 50 or more yards last season. The x factor is what the Broncos' offense will be like with a new quarterback and coach.

SLEEPER

• If you're looking for a fallback pick, try Kris Brown. I like him because the Texans have a potential breakout offense with top five players at receiver and running back.

• Neil Rackers is on a team that scores a lot of points, but the problem is that the Cardinals tend to score touchdowns rather than go for field goals. So he doesn't get as many attempts as you'd expect.

• Anyone who drafts Adam Vinatieri is most likely a Patriots fan expressing eternal gratitude for all those Super Bowl kicks.

PHOTO

BOB ROSATO (HARTLEY)

PHOTO

GREG NELSON (BROWN)