Why Colts think they can fix a kicker who missed 8 field goals this year

INDIANAPOLIS — Blake Grupe had a home in New Orleans.

Or so it seemed.

Grupe convinced New Orleans to trade veteran Wil Lutz to the Broncos in 2023, fought his way through the peaks and valleys of his rookie season and turned in a solid sophomore campaign. For all intents and purposes, it looked like Grupe would be the Saints kicker for a while.

But kicking is a fickle position. Grupe got in a rut this season, missed eight field goals and found himself on the street a week ago, looking for the next chance. That opportunity came when his old college coach needed a kicker in Indianapolis a week after his release.

The Indianapolis Colts replaced Michael Badgley this week by signing Grupe, betting a change of scenery and a reunion with special teams coordinator Brian Mason would help Grupe find himself again.

“Unfortunately, I feel like this year kind of snowballed on me a little bit,” Grupe said. “That’s the nature of being a kicker. I know how to be better.”

Grupe believes he’ll be able to iron out the issues in his leg swing if he gets back to the basics

“It’s always been about my routine,” Grupe said. “Mase kind of instilled that in me my last year at Notre Dame. … You worry about yourself, your routine. When I stick to that and I stay true to it, stay confident in myself, the rest kind of takes care of itself.”

Everything about Indianapolis feels a little familiar for Grupe.

Colts kicker Spencer Shrader, who is still in the locker room and around the team as he rehabilitates the torn ACL and MCL that thrust Indianapolis into the realm of kicking uncertainty, knows Grupe because he succeeded Grupe at Notre Dame.

Grupe helped Shrader make the transition to the Fighting Irish, and now Shrader is helping Gruder make the transition to Indianapolis.

Then there’s the presence of Mason, a coach who knows Grupe well enough to help him get out of the rut that led to eight missed field goals in New Orleans this season.

“That really helps,” Grupe said. “With all the change of everything midseason, and all the craziness, it’s nice to be able to come somewhere where I have some familiarity, where me and Mase know each other, he kind of knows how I tick, I know how he is. That will allow me to be even more comfortable and hit the ground running.”

Grupe now has to prove himself to the rest of the Colts.

Especially head coach Shane Steichen. When Mason talked about the kicking situation Tuesday, he stressed that Steichen has to be able to count on the kicker to make decisions.

“I thought Blake had a really good workout,” Steichen said. “We’re excited to add Blake to the fold.”

But the trust has to be built in game action, beginning with a tough place to kick in Jacksonville, on a day when rain’s in the forecast.

“I think you’ve got to do it in practice,” Steichen said. “Obviously, you can watch the tape, see what he did in New Orleans. He’s got a big leg, done some good things. We’re excited to see him here in practice and be ready to roll.”

Grupe’s time in New Orleans was supposed to be longer.

He loved the place. Loved the city most of all. Only a week has passed since he was a Saint.

But Grupe has put all of that behind him.

He has to. The Colts need him now.

“To be real honest, it’s not about that place any more,” Grupe said. “This is a whole, brand-new season for me.”

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Blake Grupe believes Colts can fix issues that led to 8 missed FGs