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BALTIMORE – Daniel Carlson set his goal of 35 yards, confident as always, he would be able to lead this attempt to the man. The novice kicker ignored the context of this move, which would determine whether the Raiders won their second game or lost a sixth in a row.
He did not dare to go back to Week 2 in Green Bay, when he could get a Minnesota Vikings win at the same distance and push him to the right.
Carlson cleared his mind even during the blatant icing attempt in Arizona. This one, he really believed, would divide the amounts.
Indeed, Carlson arrived without hesitation with time. The Raiders won 23-21 and celebrated in kind.
"I knew it was a big hit for the team at the time, but I was focused on my job and the best ball possible," said Carlson during this week's episode of The Raiders Insider podcast. . "It was a special moment for the victory of the team. We really needed it.
The Raiders were in a rut after losing five points at least 14 points. They could not stand what Carlson had done in Minnesota in Green Bay. He missed his placements three times, including two in overtime and one in overtime.
Team USA's All American three-time team was coldly struck the next day, although they used a fifth-round pick to make Carlson the highest kicker in last year's draft.
"Things have started very well in Minnesota," said Carlson. "We had a win in our first game and I hit a distance of 49 yards. Everything started well, then in the second week, bam! Everything is very quickly degraded and you will learn very quickly on the commercial side of the NFL. "
Carlson was down, but not in a bad mood. He returned to the lab, corrected a technique, and waited for an opportunity Jon Gruden gave him after a week's leave.
Carlson has converted 6 goals out of 7 as a Raider, including his series of five consecutive innings. It has consistently backtracked, as Jon Gruden prefers, and is gaining confidence over the weeks.
Gruden hopes that Carlson will bring stability to the kicker position after reviewing three other drivers to start the season.
"We hope," said Gruden. "We like Carlson to come from Auburn. Many people have done it. He's coming off a difficult start as many kickers do in Minnesota. He was good for us.
"He has a big leg, he can start, he can get us back in. He's a long-range forward, and yesterday he turned out to be a clutch shooter." this can really advance his career as he is a very talented young kicker. "
He was considered the most talented kicker in the NCAA before the NFL draft. The SEC's all-time leader is huge for his 6-foot-5, 213-pound stance, with plenty of power and precision. The Vikings had high expectations and a quick hook, but Carlson thought his second chance would be at a late hour.
It's there now and Carlson hopes to be able to maintain this good thing for years. The Raiders played an important role in Florida kicker Eddy Piñeiro before a groin injury stole his rookie season, but Carlson could settle in the second half of the season and be in good standing to win the 2019 concert, whether in competition or in competition.
Carlson wants to reward the Raiders for giving him a second chance, and hopes to emulate another long-time Raiders kicker.
"Coach Gruden and I had a conversation about Sebastian Janikowski in the past and how he had played (18) seasons here with the Raiders," Carlson said. "Being able to do something like that would be a dream come true.
"Coach Gruden has a long-term contract and he's looking for a young kicker like Janikowksi, I'd love to do it.I'm committed to taking it one day at a time without looking too far, but it's a goal and it would be a dream come true. "
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