ChiefsPlanet - Teicher: Tynes goes to the video

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Tynes’ video games

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

Lawrence Tynes’ daily form of self-punishment this week was to look at video of all his field-goal attempts over the last two seasons.

It wasn’t the most pleasant of tasks, not with Tynes mired in a slump that could cost him his job as the Chiefs’ kicker. But he made himself do it anyway because something he sees on the tape just might help him prevent such a blow.

There’s Tynes on the screen, nailing perfectly a 38-yard attempt in the final seconds to beat the Raiders last Christmas. The vision still brings a smile to his face but also a nagging thought: If he can do it then in such a pressure-packed situation, why not now in the measly exhibition season?

He had made four of seven in the preseason. Combined with a similarly inconsistent training camp, that’s not good enough to suit the Chiefs, who are on the verge of importing another kicker.

Tynes’ last chance to convince them otherwise could some in Saturday’s preseason game against Seattle at Arrowhead Stadium.

It’s not too dramatic to believe Tynes is at a career crossroads, at least where his time with the Chiefs is concerned.

“I’ve gone back and looked at last year’s films, the good and the bad, probably five times in the past three days,” he said. “This is not demoralizing. It’s just that I’m so much better than that. I’m looking for big things this year. I’m not just trying to be another guy out there. I want to go to the Pro Bowl.

“I’m not concerned because I know I’m going to get through it.”

As with everything, there are reasons for Tynes’ problems. Coach Dick Vermeil talked about technique — inconsistent placement of his plant foot.

Clearly, things are not right between Tynes and his new holder, rookie punter Dustin Colquitt. Tynes praised Colquitt, who has never served as a holder before.

Yet it was evident at training camp that Colquitt was having trouble holding the ball steady on several of Tynes’ kicks. As a result, Tynes often had to kick a moving ball.

That almost always leads to a missed kick.

A moving ball may have been the issue in Tynes’ two missed field goals last week against Arizona. Kicker and holder had an animated conversation as they walked off the Arrowhead field to a loud chorus of boos after the first miss.

Tynes was also allegedly involved in a bar fight at camp in River Falls, Wis., and was charged with one count of felony battery and one count of misdemeanor battery. It can’t be easy keeping the mind on business with those charges looming.

“I’ve never been in trouble before,” he said. “That will all work out. I know what will happen with that. But I’ve been accused of something, and it’s a change in my life. Needless to say, this wasn’t the best week of my life.

“All the attention it got was a little overwhelming. I wouldn’t say it affected me on the field.”

Vermeil’s public criticism probably doesn’t help. Vermeil said after the Arizona game that Tynes was “in the tank.”

Tynes said his coach was more supportive privately.

“He’s been open with me,” he said. “He studied hours upon hours of film and put together some film for me to look at, the good and the bad. I know what I need to do to get this right.

“He realizes I’m better than what I showed. I don’t think he’s just going to give up on me.”

Vermeil and special-teams coach Frank Gansz Jr. have Tynes working on more consistent placement of his plant foot.

“When he misses, it looks like he has a different placement of his plant foot than he does when he makes it,” Vermeil said. “Plus, the one he got credited for a miss in the game the other day was tipped. It really wasn’t his fault. At the same time, if it had been down the middle it wouldn’t have been tipped.”

Tynes acknowledged that his plant foot was off at times. That problem may be a product of a bigger, more difficult one.

“It’s because I’m rushing things,” Tynes said. “I’m kind of waiting to let everything develop and then go to the ball instead of doing my routine the way it should be done.

“I’ve got to trust the operation and swing at it. If you change the holder like I have — I’ve had five guys in the last year — it’s a matter of getting used to him and how he sets up over the ball and whether he’s putting it in the right spot or moving it. Dustin’s been doing a good job. I just have to get used to how he does it because I have to rely on other people to be successful.”

Tynes will be the one to suffer if the situation doesn’t quickly improve.

“When you’re kicking well, it’s the best position in football,” former Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery said. “It’s the worst position when you’re not doing well. It’s easy for people to remember when you miss.

“He’s got to be tough. He’s ultimately the one who has to find his way out of this. He’s got to get to the point where he’s no longer concerned about the rhythm of the snap or the hold. That way, he’ll be able to focus on just his technique.”