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Carolina Panthers: Graham Gano named 15th greatest kicker

By Brandon Croce

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 01: Graham Gano #9 of the Carolina Panthers runs off the field after kicking a 48-yard field goal during the fourth quarter to defeat the New England Patriots 33-30 at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 01: Graham Gano #9 of the Carolina Panthers runs off the field after kicking a 48-yard field goal during the fourth quarter to defeat the New England Patriots 33-30 at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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In a recent ranking on NFL.com, Graham Gano was named the 15th greatest kicker in NFL history.

It may be surprising to some to hear that Carolina Panthers’ kicker Graham Gano was recently ranked as the 15th greatest place-kicker in NFL history by NFL.com’s Gil Brandt.

Gano has been with the Panthers since joining the team midway through the 2012 season after spending his first three years in the league with the Washington Redskins. As Brandt notes in his rankings, Gano has a number of accomplishments in his nine years in the league.

"15. Graham GanoWashington Redskins 2009-2011; Carolina Panthers 2012-present» Voted to one Pro Bowl» Holds Panthers franchise record for most points scored in single season (156)» Has converted on 81.7 percent of career FG attempts (210 of 257)» Holds Redskins franchise record for longest field goal (59 yards)"

However, some Panthers fans will question his place in NFL history and will point to missed kicks in key situations. One of those key field goals came in Super Bowl 50 on the opening drive of the second half. The Panthers were down 13-7 and Gano missed a 44-yard field goal that would have cut the lead in half.

Fast forward to the start of the 2016 season and the Panthers once again were facing the Broncos, this time in the first game of the year. The Panthers were down 21-20 in the closing seconds and Gano pulled a 50-yard field goal attempt left.

This marked the start of a season that Gano would finish with lows in made field goal percentage (78.9%) and made extra point percentage (91%).

Last offseason was a pivotal time for Gano as he had to compete for his job with rookie Harrison Butker. He eventually won the starting job and validated the Panthers’ faith in him with one of his best seasons ever, making all 29 field goal attempts inside 50 yards.

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This performance earned him a four-year contract extension in March and doesn’t look like he will have to worry about his place on this team this offseason. According to Gil Brandt, one other thing he shouldn’t worry about his place in NFL history as one of the best place-kickers.

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