Graham Gano concluded his first full NFL season on high alert. The Washington Redskins’ kicker was on shaky ground after 2010 because he missed 11 field goals, tied for most in the NFL. Coaches believed in his potential, but he had to validate it with production in 2011 — or else.
“I never had a season like I had last year in my career playing football,” Gano said. “I knew that it was uncharacteristic of me. It made me mad and upset and made me want to get better and more consistent to show people what I could do.”
So far, so good. Gano has made 12 of 13 field-goal attempts that have traveled full distance (three of his four misses were blocked).
“That’s one of the reasons why we stayed with him is that the first year is very tough,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “You get into the NFL and, all of a sudden, you start hooking them and you start pushing them. It’s kind of like your golf swing under pressure — you can play with your friends all of the time, but when you get in front of a lot of people, it changes; or if you’re playing for a lot of money. He’s handled himself great this year, and I like what I see.”
The apex of Gano’s emergence occurred in last Sunday’s loss to San Francisco. As time expired in the first half, Shanahan gave him a chance on a 59-yarder instead of having the offense try a Hail Mary. Gano drilled it with at least a yard to spare.
It was the longest successful try in Redskins history. He celebrated by running around the field, a release of emotion that was well-deserved.
“It’s exciting, especially being in the record books for a franchise with such tradition like this,” he said. “That’s an opportunity every kicker wants. To be able to go out there and hit it was pretty special to me.”
Gano attributes his success to some mechanical adjustments he made during the offseason. Special teams coach Danny Smith, however, doesn’t like for Gano to talk about those. Just make the kick, Smith says.
“It’s not as complex as it was before,” Gano said. “I feel so much more comfortable doing what I do now.”
Gano also credits second-year long snapper Nick Sundberg’s consistency and the stability holder Sav Rocca has provided after the Redskins went through three holders last season.
Although Rocca’s botched hold led to a block in the Dallas game, he quickly mastered how Gano likes the ball tilted.
“They’re minute things, but they make a difference,” Gano said. “You’re talking about inches in making or missing a kick.”
At the season’s halfway point, Gano realizes he can’t let up. He has to maintain his accuracy over a full season to entrench himself as the team’s long-term kicking solution.
“I always want to be perfect, but I feel pretty good about it,” he said. “As long as I can keep building on it and improving, I’ll be happy.”
Atogwe, Brown questionable
• Oshiomogho Atogwe hopes to return to the starting lineup against Miami on Sunday after spending the week performing exercises that build endurance in his injured knee. The pain increased during the second half against Buffalo two games ago and kept him out of last week’s loss to San Francisco.
“During the second half, it became more and more of a struggle to fight through,” he said. “The knee started to shut down a bit and the toe acted up, so it’s just something you’ve got to continue to work through and develop some endurance so it can be a 60-minute ordeal and I can play without pain.
Atogwe was limited in Friday’s practice, an improvement after sitting out the previous two days. He is questionable for Sunday.
• Right tackle Jammal Brown (groin) was limited and is listed as questionable for the game. Shanahan said on Thursday that Brown is unlikely to play, but on Friday he left open the possibility. Running back Tashard Choice (hamstring) also was limited and is questionable.
• Inside linebacker Keyaron Fox (knee infection) will not play.
• Safety LaRon Landry (Achilles) fully participated in practice and is expected to start.
• Cornerback DeAngelo Hall missed practice because his wife, Jada, gave birth to twins. He is expected to start against the Dolphins.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.