NFL teams have gotten creative with their decision making when it comes to the search for kicking talent.
Last season, the Seattle Seahawks used an Australian punter named Michael Dickson, who is new to the game of football because he played rugby his entire life. In 2016 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used a second round draft pick on Robert Aguayo. (Aguayo is now a free agent after just three seasons after converting just 71 percent of his kicks.) Justin Tucker and Hekker are the exceptions, not the rules, but it hasn't stopped teams from trying to find the next great special teams star.
In an era where you have better chances of winning the lottery than finding a reliable leg on the football field, where do you turn to if you’re a general manager? How about the soccer field?
In an interview on “Home and Home”, a daily show with Ross Tucker and David Griggs on RADIO.COM Sports, soccer coach and trainer James Galanis revealed that one of his current players is drawing interest from the NFL - two-time World Cup Champion Carli Lloyd.
After a video (see above) of Lloyd making a field goal from 55 yards at Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp went viral, not only did the internet take notice but a few GM’s happened to see the video too apparently.
Tucker asked “Just to be clear here, are you saying that actual NFL teams have offered to sign Carli to kick for them on Thursday night like two days from now?”
“Yes, definitely, 100 percent…I can tell you there’s two strongly interested teams,” said Galanis.
Lloyd’s coach declined to disclose exactly which teams are interested in signing her to kick in this weeks preseason game. The 37-year-old says that she's "seriously considering" pursuing a career in the NFL.