Graham Gano

• Age: 25
• Years Pro: 3
• College: Florida State
• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 196 lbs
• Career FG %: 73.8
• 2011-12 FG %: 75.6
• Career XP %: 96.7
• 2011-12 XP %: 96.2
• Longest Made: 59
• Field Goals Blocked 2011-12: 5

Neil Rackers

• Age: 35
• Years Pro: 13
• College: Illinois
• Height: 6’1″
• Weight: 202 lbs.
• Career FG %: 80
• 2011-12 FG %: 84.2
• Career XP %: 98.4
• 2011-12 XP %: 97.5
• Longest Made: 57
• Field Goals Blocked 2011-12: 0

If you simply stack the numbers against each other, Neil Rackers is clearly the better kicker and the favorite. Gano has tenure in DC and although he does have the occassional kick blocked, he makes up for it with sheer power. Rackers is one of the more reliable kickers in the NFL but has also benefited from playing in Arizona and Houston for nine of his now 13 years in the league. The Washington weather could be something that the Redskins take into account. The only issue is that they will have to judge how a kicker is going to do when the ball is half-frozen while it’s 100 degrees out. This competition appears to be very much in the air and will likely come down to a critical made or missed field goal. The battle for the kicker position will begin in Buffalo when the Redskins take on the Bills in a preseason rematch of last year’s 23-0 debacle in Canada.

For more on your Redskins and roster battles you can head to twitter and follow us at @RiggosRag.

All statistical data courtesy of Redskins.com.

Last four in

1. Anthony Armstrong  – WR

Anthony Armstrong is likely one of the fastest players on the Redskins, but the question is whether or not his speed will be enough to make up for a lack of production from last season. The Redskins also just acquired reveiver Dezmond Briscoe, making the competition at receiver even tougher. Right now, I think Armstrong makes the team.

2. Grant Garner – C

At 6’3″ and 292 pounds, Garner is the only true center on the Redskins roster right now. From what I’ve seen thus far he’s done a good job. Things are just heating up, but I like this kid to make the roster given he shows improvement over the duration of camp. He needs to add a little bit of size at only 292.

3. DeJon Gomes – S

The Redskins have certainly added to their roster by subtracting the oft-injured LaRon Landry and O.J. Atogwe. Now the free and strong safety positions will be essentially up for grabs. Given his performance last year and the ability for new defensive back’s coach Raheem Morris to motivate, I think Gomes makes the squad even though I doubt he’ll start.

4. Kevin Barnes – CB

One thing you can’t say about Kevin Barnes is that he doesn’t play with heart. Barnes isn’t the fastest or the most skilled defensive back on the Redskins roster, but somehow he always manages to stick around. Drafting Richard Crawford and signing Cedric Griffin probably doesn’t make Kevin’s journey to the 53-man roster any easier. I still think he makes the squad.

First four out

1. Brandon Banks - WR 

July 26, 2012; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Brandon Banks (16) catches the ball during the first day of Redskins 2012 training camp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Brandon Banks still does not look natural at the receiver position. I believe his luck runs out this preseason. Is Banks one of the fastest players in the NFL? Yes. Does his speed guarantee anything? No. When he’s dinged up, he’s ineffective and his numbers last year were mediocre at best. If and when somebody not wearing sixteen makes a play within the return game, that should be enough for Mike Shanahan to consider the novelty of Banks as obsolete. Look for one of the other NFC East teams to give Banks an immediate look, should he be released.

2. Neil Rackers – K

July 26, 2012; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins kicker Neil Rackers (1) signs autographs while walking off the field after the first day of Redskins 2012 training camp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Welp, somebody has to lose the kicker battle. Graham Gano has been fighting for his roster spot for what seems like forever and although I like Neil Rackers, I think Gano will do just enough to keep his job.

3. Reed Doughty – S

Dec. 18, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) goes up for a touchdown pass as Washington Redskins free safety Reed Doughty (37) tackles during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Redskins defeat the Giants 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

I believe Reed Doughty’s speed rating in Madden 13 is projected to be a few points lower than Peyton Manning’s. Manning might even be able to anticipate and break on the ball better. It always seems like Doughty is there right after the ball. I think that his luck has finally run out and when it comes to deciding between fresh blood and well, him, the Redskins will go with the former.

4. Terrence Austin – WR

July 27, 2012; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Terrence Austin (18) runs with the ball during Redskins training camp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

This one was tough. I like Austin, but he has to bring something to the table via special teams to make this roster. He’s quick, but the Redskins have fourteen (14) receivers on the roster. That number will likely be cut (at least) in half. Austin will be that seventh or eight guy, along with the aforementioned Brandon Banks, to not make the team. Again, it’s early. All it takes is one big play to change everything.

Riggo’s Rag will be following the road to the final 53 all camp long. Follow us on twitter @RiggosRag and @KMawyer2.

Former Texans kicker Neil Rackers has reportedly told Fox 26 Sports that he has signed a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins.

Rackers, a 12 year veteran who has spent the past two seasons with the Housten Texans, was expected to sign a long-term deal with the team, but talks fell apart when the sides couldn’t come to an agreement.

We’ve had promises for awhile now on a long-term deal and they came to us with a minimum offer. So we just felt like the opportunity for advancement was not in Houston. We came in and did the job like they asked us to. Didn’t really feel like that was appreciated.

Rackers will be joining a team that has had kicking problems for quite some time. Despite some bright spots from current Redskins kicker Graham Gano, most of his career has been stained by blocked kicks and inconsistency.

Neil is also very excited to be going to Washington and competing for a starting job.

We’re headed to Washington. I visited with Coach (Mike) Shanahan and (special teams coach) Danny Smith out there yesterday and really enjoyed what they had to say. I’ll be competing for a job with Graham Gano, who is an established, good kicker

All Redskins fans should be extremely exited for this upgrade in the kicking game, and no longer will they have to pray for a made extra point.

With Robert Griffin III, I’m sure a lot of touchdowns will be scored, so lets all hope Rackers will be “racking” up points.