Cats' kicker produces points year after year

Most professional football kickers are vagabonds. They move from organization to organization season after season, because teams have little patience with them.Kickers are expected to be flawless. So if they miss three field-goal attempts in a game or shank a potential game-winning kick, they're liable to be released before the day is over.This gypsy life is heightened in the arenafootball2 league because field goals are more difficult. Af2 goal posts are 9 feet wide, compared to 18 feet, 6 inches in the NFL. - NFL Football -
Brandon Kornblue, however, has worn one af2 uniform for the last 41/2 seasons.The fifth-year Florida Firecats' kicker has stuck around because he has produced season after season. Kornblue, 28, tied the af2 career field-goal record in the Cats' 50-41 victory over the Arkansas Twisters at Germain Arena on Saturday night.
Kornblue has 38 career field goals, tying the mark set by James Thomas from 2000-03. Kornblue also owns af2 records in career point-after-touchdowns made (281), career point-after-touchdowns attempted (358) and career points kicking (395).The Naples resident said there are several reasons why he's stuck with the Cats. First, he hasn't been injured in the past five seasons."I've had great holders and snappers and coaches who have stayed with me," Kornblue said. "Even if I had an off night, coaches were comfortable enough with me. (Cats general manager) Chris Vallozzi is the one who's consistently had confidence in me throughout the years." - NFL Football -
Kornblue has struggled with field goals this season. His 16-yard kick Saturday was just his second successful attempt this year. He's 2-for-15 on field-goal tries this season."It's been a frustrating year for a lot of reasons," said Kornblue, who booted 22 field goals — an af2 single-season record — in 2002.
Due to Germain Arena availability issues, Kornblue has practiced indoors for just two weeks this season. Also, long-snapper Joe Fantigrassi (knee) has missed the last three games, forcing the team to use inexperienced players at the position."Most of his field-goal attempts have been pretty long and there's other things involved," Cats coach Kevin Bouis said. "He's had a couple field goals blocked, there's been some bad snaps, so it's not necessarily all his fault."Bouis hopes Saturday's field goal will help turn around Kornblue's season. History shows that the University of Michigan graduate will produce in the postseason. - NFL Football -
He was 8-for-8 on field-goal attempts in the playoffs in 2002. Kornblue was 7-for-10 on tries in last year's postseason."That's what I'm most proud of," he said. "When the team needs me the most, I come through."
EXTRA POINTS
Fullback/linebacker Steve Gorrie, who missed Saturday's game with a right wrist injury, is expected to play against the Wilkes-Barre Scranton (Pa.) Pioneers on Saturday, Bouis said.Gorrie, the league's leading rusher, had the cast on his wrist removed Thursday but the team doctor didn't clear him to play against Arkansas. Gorrie injured his wrist June 4 against Birmingham. - NFL Football -
"He wasn't at full strength," Bouis said. "He said his wrist was at 40 percent. I talked to him (Saturday night) and he said he was up to 70 percent, so he should be ready to go this week."Fantigrassi (knee) will be re-evaluated today, Bouis said. The club hopes that he'll be able to play Saturday.
KICKING RECORDS
Florida Firecats kicker Brandon Kornblue owns several arenafootball2 league career kicking records: - NFL Football -
Category NumberPATs made 281PATs attempted 358
Points kicking 395Field goals 38

CHRIS UMPIERRE