01-01-2025, 05:17 AM
Before he signed with the in free agency in June, kicker Jake Bates was a star in the United Football League, where he drilled countle s long field goals with the Michigan Panthers, including Jerome Robinson Jersey multiple from 60-plus.Among those long field goals was a 64-yarder, which just so happened to be the second-longest field goal in Ford Field history behind kicker Justin Tucker, who against the Lions in 2021.Harkening back to his UFL days, Bates attempted a 64-yard field goal at practice on Sunday and absolutely drilled it, with plenty of room to spare. Bates' attempt would have been good Avery Bradley Jersey from 70-plus.Jake Bates ends practice with a 64-yard Detroit Lions (@Lions) After a rough go of it lately in training camp, Bates has been gaining momentum in recent days. Before his 64-yard Landry Shamet Jersey field goal on Sunday, Bates drilled a 53-yarder in preseason Week 1 on Thursday night.After the game, head coach Dan Campbell revealed the team gave Bates a vote of confidence ahead of the exhibition contest, expre sing his faith in the kicker.It was good to see Jake hit that field goal 53 yarder with the rain right down the pipes," Campbell said, per. "We told him after the scrimmage the other day, Were sticking with you. Were going to give you a chance to grow here. Lets see how you respond. He was told Wesley Johnson Jersey that, (Dave) Fipp told him, I told him, and so I thought it was encouraging.Bates remains Patrick Beverley Jersey the only kicker on the Lions' roster after Michael Badgley's . It's quite clear the Lions are going to give him every opportunity to secure the job.Bates will have his next opportunity to prove himself when the Lions travel to Arrowhead to take on the in preseason Week 2 on Saturday.