Panthers replace K Justin Medlock with Graham Gano after 3 straight missed field goals
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The Carolina Panthers made yet another change at kicker.
The Panthers on Tuesday waived the slumping Justin Medlock and replaced him with Graham Gano.
Carolina (2-8) signed Gano, a free agent, to a two-year deal after Medlock missed his last three field goals.
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Gano spent 2009-11 with the Washington Redskins, playing in 36 games and converting 59 of 80 field goal attempts (73.8 percent) with a long of 59 yards.
Gano entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with Baltimore in 2009 before being released by the Ravens.
Medlock started the season 7 of 7 before having a kick blocked against Washington. He then missed field goals against Denver and Tampa Bay. Medlock's second-quarter miss from 40 yards on Sunday against the Bucs would have put the Panthers up 17-10.
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Carolina lost to Tampa Bay 27-21 in overtime.
The Panthers worked out Gano and veteran Nate Kaeding, according to interim general manager Brandon Beane. Kaeding is coming off a groin injury and is eligible for free agency after the season and that may have played a role in the decision to go with Gano.
"I thought Gano was the best thing for us long term, not just for the next six weeks," Beane said.
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As for the decision to waive Medlock, "It's a production based business and we gave Justin an opportunity. He tried his best. He's a good person but unfortunately the results weren't what we were looking for. We decided to explore a couple of guys out there. Both Gano and Kaeding kicked great and it was a tough decision."
Medlock beat out Olindo Mare in training camp to win the kicking job despite having attempted only two field goals in his career. He made a living kicking in the Canadian Football League before landing the starting job with the Panthers.