Last Friday, the Detroit Lions’ training camp scrimmage practice was a tough one for kicker Jake Bates. As the team’s only kicker, Bates went just 8-of-14 on field goals on the day, and added a missed extra point to boot. Bates had a chance to finish the day on a high note, but his 40-yard kick drifted way wide left.
The Lions would have been more than justified to look for competition to bring in, but they didn’t.
“We told him after the scrimmage the other day, ‘Man, we’re sticking with you. We’re going to give you a chance to grow here.