ASHBURN — Kai Forbath was not without a job for too long after the Washington Redskins cut him following the team’s season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Five weeks later, Forbath signed with the New Orleans Saints and will get the chance to kick against his former team on Sunday.
Forbath had made 59 of 67 career field goals in parts of three seasons in Washington and made one of two attempts against the Dolphins. However, coach Jay Gruden said the team felt it was time to move on from Forbath, whose short kickoffs were an ongoing area of concern.
An opportunity emerged with Saints, who cut Zach Hocker following a Week 6 win against the Atlanta Falcons. Hocker missed field goals from 48 and 51 yards in the victory and also missed a 30-yard winning attempt in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, who went on to win in overtime.
In his second game with the Saints, Forbath drilled a 50-yarder as time expired to give New Orleans a 52-49 win against the New York Giants. However, he had a 46-yard attempt blocked last week that would have given the Saints a 31-28 lead against the Tennessee Titans with a minute remaining. Instead, the Saints lost in overtime, 34-28.
“He’s been real consistent,” Saints coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday. “Obviously, he hit a big one for us a couple weeks back. Last week, the get off and the kick was fine. It was pressure from the right side. He felt like he clean and looks like he did. I think overall, we’ve been real impressed [with] his makeup.”
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Forbath is also facing less pressure to routinely produce touchbacks. Forbath has five touchbacks in 16 attempts with the Saints. They normally rely on punter Thomas Morstead, who has handled kickoffs the previous six seasons.
Dustin Hopkins will also be kicking against his former squad. The Redskins signed the rookie after they cut Forbath. The Saints cut Hopkins after he lost a training camp competition to Hocker. Since then, Hopkins has made 12 of 13 field-goal attempts with the Redskins, including a 52-yarder to force overtime against Atlanta in Week 5.
So Hocker can thank Hopkins, who can thank Forbath, who can thank Hocker. Got it?
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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