By Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press –
DETROIT — Lions kicker Jason Hanson turned 42 in June. But Hanson’s right leg seems ageless. And even the 20-year veteran agrees that his leg still packs quite a kick.
“When I was young, I used to sneak past 60 and 65 (yards) and see what I can do,” he said. “I haven’t done that in a while. But we never do that. During the end of the half or something you get to 58, 59, 57, maybe a 60-yarder. I can still hit that. I can be short, but I could always be short.
“I still have the distance we need, I think. (My length) won’t limit us in any way. I can still hit the long ball when we need it.”
That’s for sure.
Last season, Hanson made 71.4 percent (five of seven) of his field-goal attempts from at least 50 yards. That was the 10th-best percentage among NFL kickers and it was head and shoulders — and feet — above Hanson’s career pace of 55.6 percent from that distance.
The seven attempts also indicated the trust coaches had in Hanson’s leg. He has attempted more than seven field goals from at least 50 yards in only two other seasons during his career.
Aging kickers sometimes become accuracy specialists from shorter distances. But Hanson isn’t interested in that role.
“Because I’d rather have them cut me than have them have me do that,” he said. “That’s my attitude. If it came to that, I don’t know, maybe I’d be like, ‘Well, I can still kick under 45.’ But I don’t want any part of that.
“I’m working so that my goal is, if I’m going to play, to show up and have them be like, ‘He’s the same.’ And if ever that day comes where it’s not, then maybe I’ll be fishing in the fall. But it’s not going to be this year. And that’s always just been my goal, to make sure I can still kick like I always have.”