Brandon

Coutu

Undrafted CB Dontrell Johnson was waived to clear room. The Jags are looking to put heat on disgruntled franchise player Josh Scobee. A seventh-round pick in 2008, Coutu’s first and thus far only career field-goal attempt came with Buffalo in Week 17 last season. He missed, though he did convert three extra points.

Coutu made his NFL debut in Week 17 last season after injuries sidelined Rian Lindell and Dave Rayner. With Lindell back healthy, Coutu was expendable.

We don’t usually post practice squad signings, but this might be notable because Josh Scobee suffered a strained groin during warmups prior to Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers. Scobee is also in the last year of his contract.

This confirms that Josh Scobee (groin) came out of last Thursday’s game in fine shape. He’ll be kicking at Tennessee in Week 16.

Coutu will get a one-game cameo as both Rian Lindell and Dave Rayner are on injured reserve. The 2008 seventh-rounder has never attempted a field goal in an NFL game.

The timing of Coutu’s signing and release suggest he was brought on board solely for insurance in case franchise player Josh Scobee opted to skip the beginning of training camp. Now that Scobee is locked up through 2015, Coutu is no longer needed.

Even though Brandon Coutu is younger, signed longer and for cheaper, and has an impressive leg, it’s going to be very hard to justify keeping him after Olindo Mare went 24-of-27 from field goal range and was perfect on PATs.

GM Tim Ruskell said earlier this offseason that Mare would be brought back as the starter. Coutu is going to have to be perfect this summer to win the job, and it won’t happen unless Mare stumbles badly in preaseason action.

Olindo Mare would have to faceplant in preaseason action to lose the job after going 24-of-27 on field goals last season. Brandon Coutu could then be claimed by a kicker needy team such as the Redskins, Browns, Ravens, Chiefs or Broncos.

Coutu has hung around in this battle longer than expected. Mare beat out Coutu last year and was very accurate but finished just 25th in fantasy points. We expect the same situation this year.