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Cardinals rookie kicker exceeds expectations with record-tying start

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Monday, Oct. 20, 2014
By Bethany Reed
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said he had confidence in kicker Chandler Catanzaro when he chose him over veteran Jay Feely back in August. But the rookie has surpassed his expectations.

Catanzaro tied the NFL rookie record for the longest streak to start a season by making his 15th straight kick in Sunday’s win against the Oakland Raiders. His 56 points for the season are the second-highest in the NFL.

“You never expect anybody to come out and kick 15 in a row,” Arians said Monday. “This was a big one for me.” listen

With 33 seconds left Sunday, Catanzaro put the game out of reach by hitting from 41 yards. The 24-13 win lifted the Cardinals to 5-1, their best start since 1976.

Catanzaro’s next field goal without a miss would break the rookie record set in 2012 by St. Louis’s Greg Zuerlein.

Breaking a record wouldn’t be new for Catanzaro, who owns Clemson’s records for extra points made, field goals over 40 yards and consecutive field goals with 20 in a row.

“Back when I went to Clemson, I told Coach (Dabo) Swinney, ‘Listen, if you just give me a shot, I’m going to break records,’” Catanzaro said. listen

While Catanzaro said he’s confident he can set records in the NFL too, he laughed about sharing his plans with Arians.

“I haven’t told Coach Arians that, no,” he said. “I don’t really talk to him much, but he’s great, he’s funny.”

Arians might not be that surprised, as he said he sees the rookie’s talent after his record-tying start.

“It gives him confidence that just seems to be natural for him,” he said. “Knock on wood he keeps it up.”

The stats may say he’s perfect so far, but Catanzaro said Sunday’s field goal came too close to missing. The same goes for a close call in week two against the New York Giants.

“In my eyes, I’m going to go ahead and say those two are misses,” he said. “I’m trying to hit my target every time, which is usually down the middle unless there’s any wind, so I missed my target obviously that kick.”

Streak or no, Catanzaro said his primary focus is on improving.

“I’m just working my tail off and trying to get better each week and trying to get better for my team,” he said. “In practice, I kick over and over again. I just think of situations in my head that might come up in games.”