Scouting Report: Jason Hanson

Scouting Report: Jason Hanson
by Tom Kowalski
Saturday May 31, 2008, 12:58 PM

Mike Itchue | MLive.com
Veteran kicker Jason Hanson watches Lions' minicamp in Allen Park on May 20.Jason Hanson

2008 Scouting Report

When a guy is entering his 17th NFL season - and he had some hiccups the year before - it's only natural to wonder if age has become a factor. With Hanson, though, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Hanson missed some crucial kicks last year, including a fourth-quarter 35-yarder that likely would've salted away a win against the Dallas Cowboys. Overall, Hanson missed a field goal from inside 30 yards and also missed a total of two from 30 to 39 yards. The only other time that happened in his career was in the year 2000.

The thing with Hanson - and why age doesn't appear to be an issue here - is that his "power'' numbers are still strong. Hanson converted on three of his four attempts from 50 yards and beyond and his touchbacks on kickoffs were the same - 13 - as they were last year. Hanson finished tied for seventh in the league in that category.

Hanson goes to great lengths to keep himself in tremendous physical shape so there aren't any worries yet about the physical part of his game. From the mental aspect, though, Hanson has to once again prove that he's automatic from 45 yards and in.






my thoughts

Jason Hanson had a couple misses last year but I believe he will have a good year this upcoming year. He is still kicking off which tells you his leg strength is still good. He has always been very accurate and I dont see anything that would suggest other wise.