Kickalicious is back with the Lions. But only for a visit, to the chagrin of some Lions fans.
Havard Rugland, the Norwegian kicker whose trick kick video made him an Internet celebrity and got him a spot on Detroit’s preseason roster last year, stopped by the team’s practice today in London, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News.
The Lions have shown no interest in signing Rugland, even though their kicking situation has been appalling this year. Detroit is already on its third kicker of the season, and although the current kicker, Matt Prater, is the best of the three, that’s not saying much: Prater is 2-for-4 this season, and one of the two he made was a 21-yarder that came courtesy of a fortunate bounce off the upright. Rugland went 3-for-3 in the preseason last year, with a long of 50 yards.
Rugland visited with Prater, punter Sam Martin and special teams coach John Bonamego. It appears that it was just a visit, and there’s no chance of Rugland taking Prater’s job. Although perhaps if Prater misses a couple of kicks on Sunday against the Falcons, Bonamego will consider bringing Rugland back to Detroit with him.
