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Raiders PK
Sebastian Janikowski
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Just as he did at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis at the end of February,
Sebastian Janikowski turned a rather mundane pro football event into a real kick. His
first-round selection by the Raiders rocked the rafters at Madison Square Garden and
raised the eyebrows of draftniks everywhere to record-breaking heights.
In Indy, Janikowski’s all-world kicking performance was by far the biggest story
going, although I’d also have to put in a vote for the 130-pound Asian gentleman who
sat next to me at St. Elmo’s Steakhouse, where he polished off the restaurant’s
famous 32-ounce porterhouse before I finished my shrimp cocktail.
And then had dessert.
Janikowski, though, was the hit of the Combine after staging a high-powered kicking
clinic inside the RCA Dome that would have made Tiger Woods stand up and take notice.
"He put on an orbital display in Indianapolis," said Raiders head coach Jon
Gruden. "I don’t believe he missed a kick. He kicked for about 35 or 40 minutes
— extra points, field goals, even his kickoffs were going through the goal posts. I
can still hear and feel the thump when he kicked that football.
"It was incredible what he did."
The fact that he turned out to be a most engaging fellow in interview sessions with
reporters was an added bonus.
When asked whether he could handle kicking for a cold-weather NFL team, his wit was as
dead-on as his booming kicks.
"I’m from Poland," he smiled. "It’s cold in Poland."
On the first day of what was expected to be one of the most spellbinding drafts in
recent memory, Janikowski turned out to be the hottest story when he became only the
fourth placekicker to be selected in the first round since the draft’s inception in
1936. He was taken 17th overall.
Obviously, it didn’t matter much to Al Davis, the Raiders owner who thrives on
marching to a different drummer than the rest of us, that none of the previous three
— Washington’s Charlie Gogolak (1966), St. Louis’ Steve Little (’78)
and New Orleans’ Russell Erxleben (’79) —enjoyed a particularly productive
career.
Twenty-seven years earlier, Davis boldly defied conventional gridiron wisdom when he
made Ray Guy the first and only punter ever taken in the first round.
Guy quickly became a perennial All-Pro.
Can the same be said for the 6-1, 263-pound Janikowski, who connected on 66-of-83
field-goal attempts — including season longs of 56, 53 and 54 yards — in his
three years at Florida State?
The Raiders like his chances.
"I look at this guy being so unique," said Gruden. "Not only is he a
blue-chip kicker, but his ability was so impressive. I don’t recall a kicker with
these credentials coming out since I’ve been in the league."
By focusing so squarely on what was their biggest need — the Raiders missed at
least one FG attempt, usually at a critical time, in six of their eight defeats last
season — Davis & Co. made it crystal clear that they envisioned Janikowski as the
only real missing link to legitimate playoff aspirations.
And it’s as much because of his kickoff ability as his FG expertise. Last season,
60 of his 83 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks, four of which sailed through the uprights 75
yards away.
We’re talking about an extra-special weapon here.
So special in the Raiders’ minds that they didn’t dare risk trading down with
the hope of still taking Janikowski a little later in the draft, which is what numerous
draftniks insist they could have done.
Apparently, Oakland was genuinely worried that Janikowski would be stolen away by
either the Chiefs, Bears or Rams, although St. Louis GM Charley Armey made a point of
saying he would never consider spending a first-round pick on a placekicker.
So Al and the Pride ‘n’ Poise boys thumbed their noses at the form sheet and
grabbed their man.
At a very reasonable price, it should be noted.
The richest contract ever given to a kicker was the one-year, $1.525 million deal the
Jets gave last season to P Tom Tupa, who is also a reserve quarterback, last season.
Last year’s No. 17 pick, New England C Damien Woody, received a $3.85 million
signing bonus. Janikowski figures to be compensated more along the lines of Tupa and thus
becomes a very cap-friendly addition on top of everything else.
He also fits the Raiders’ renegade mystique to an absolute T, with his reputation
for being a party animal who could have given John Matuszak (may he rest in peace) a run
for his money.
Of course, there’s still the bribery charge that Janikowski faces for allegedly
offering a police officer in Tallahassee, Fla., $300 to release his roommate from custody.
The roommate had been denied service at a local club and was arrested for trespassing when
he refused to leave.
Janikowski faces a May 3 hearing on the bribery charge, which is a third-degree felony.
He could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and, as a resident alien, he
could face deportation if convicted.
Janikowski says the episode is behind him and that he’s ready to get on with his
life. The Raiders’ legal beagles seem confident he’ll be able to play.
If he ends up being as good as the Raiders think, we’re all in for a real treat. |
