Chandler

Catanzaro

The move ensures the job belongs to former Panthers K Graham Gano, who reunites with former Carolina GM Dave Gettleman in signing with the Giants just last week. Gano should, in all seriousness, be considered a top-12 kicker for fantasy given OC Jason Garrett’s historical timidness inside the 40.

Now 29, Catanzaro “retired” last August. Essentially a replacement-level kicker, Catanzaro has converted 83.8 percent of his career field goal attempts. He could quickly lock down starting duties, though it remains possible the G-Men bring in ex-Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski and reunite him with former Pats ST coordinator Joe Judge.

Catanzaro likely saw the writing on the wall, beating the Jets to the punch by retiring before they had a chance to cut him. The former Clemson Tiger was dreadful in New York’s preseason opener Thursday night, misfiring on two of his three extra-points in a loss to the Giants. Catanzaro had some good years in Arizona but has been a journeyman of late, spending time with four organizations since 2016. Assuming his career is actually over, he’ll finish his five-year NFL tenure with 119 field goals on 142 attempts (83.8 percent) with a long of 60 yards. In his stead, the Jets have signed Taylor Bertolet, who went to training camp with New York last summer before latching on with the Salt Lake Stallions of the now defunct AAF.

Catanzaro spent his first three seasons in Arizona but has bounced around with the Jets, Bucs, and Panthers the last two seasons. He’s going back to New York to replace Jason Myers. Catanzaro has nailed all five of his 50-plus-yard kicks the last two years but has struggled from close range and on extra points.

Graham Gano was limited in Thursday’s practice with a knee injury, so there’s evidently some concern about his availability for Week 14 against the Browns. Catanzaro spent the first 10 weeks of the season with the Bucs.

Catanzaro entered Week 10 10-of-13 on field goal attempts, but he missed two more in the Bucs’ dispiriting loss to the Redskins. We suppose it’s a justifiable move, but coach Dirk Koetter is simply re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic at this point.

Catanzaro missed two field goals in Sunday night’s tie with Seattle and is 8-of-11 on field goals this year. “Yes,” said Arians about Cat-Man’s job security.

Catanzaro was a restricted free agent, but the Cardinals decided not to tender him before ultimately bringing in Phil Dawson. Catanzaro is coming off a difficult 2016 and has struggled with the new extra point distance. He will likely see some competition as the Jets attempt to replace Nick Folk.

Arizona apparently does not think either is worth the $1.797 million the lowest tender would offer. Both could be brought back on cheaper deals as unrestricted free agents. Catanzaro converted just 75 percent of his field goal attempts in 2016 including some crucial misses early in the season.

Second-year UDFA Ross Martin was cut on Friday, leaving the job to Catanzaro. The former Cardinals kicker won’t have many extra points to attempt in what should be the league’s very-worst offense this season.