Caleb Sturgis does enough to stick around another week

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Caleb Sturgis put four field goals through the uprights for the Eagles during Sunday’s 39-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints, but it’s the kick he didn’t make that’s on everyone’s mind.

For the second week in a row, Sturgis missed an extra point — a 33-yard attempt that’s supposed to be a gimme. The previous game, he also failed to convert a 33-yard field goal, those kicks costing the Eagles dearly in a three-point loss to division rival Washington. You can probably forgive people for openly wondering whether his replacement is already on the way.

Sturgis has two things going for him right now, though. One, there aren’t many quality alternatives available, and two, he’s maintaining a positive outlook.

“It’s not a game you can really sulk in,” Sturgis said. “You’ve got to get back out there and hit the next one.”

To Sturgis’ credit, he picked himself up after the missed point after and did hit the next one, connecting on each of his last four attempts — field goals of 29, 26 and 41 yards and an XP. All relatively easy kicks, sure, but ones any kicker has to make if he wants to remain employed.

Sturgis, a former fifth-round draft pick who found himself on the street after two disappointing seasons with the Miami Dolphins, knows as well as anybody how important — and volatile — his line of work is.

“Just missed it,” Sturgis said of the extra point that sailed wide. “It was a really bad ball. Fortunate it didn’t hurt us today, but it’s one I’ve got to make. They’re going to mean more in games to come.”

If confidence is wavering in the Eagles' kicking game, Sturgis isn’t solely at fault.

Prior to Strugis’ arrival two weeks ago, Cody Parkey had been shaky going all the way back to Week 16 last season, when he missed 34- and 48-yard field goals in another three-point loss to Washington — that time eliminating the Eagles from the playoffs. The Eagles also suffered through three seasons of Alex Henery before landing Parkey, who went to the Pro Bowl last season.

Parkey eventually wound up on injured reserve, forcing the Eagles go out and scoop Sturgis off free agency. Last week, head coach Chip Kelly defended his new kicker, arguing losses aren’t on any one player and citing the lack of options.

Sturgis made no effort to deflect blame. Yet while he was unhappy about the missed extra point, it was a fine outing overall.

“I had a good week of preparation and I was ready for this game,” Sturgis said. “I missed that extra point, there were a few kickoffs I would like to get back, but I think I’m hitting the ball well.

Of course, everything is OK when your team picks up that all important W.

“Well we won, so I feel a lot better,” Sturgis said.

Sturgis has a career 77.6 field-goal percentage in the NFL, so as long as he’s with the team, the Eagles likely have to make the best of it. No doubt, Sunday’s miss will prompt even more questions about his status, but for now it seems he may have done just enough to stick around for another week.

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