According to USA Today blog For the Win, the Lions once again tried out YouTube sensation Havard “Kickalicious” Rugland.
Rugland, who was on the Lions’ preseason roster before being cut in favor of veteran David Akers, was brought in to Allen Park for another look on Monday along with two other free agent kickers, Olindo Mare and Justin Medlock.
Rugland obviously is the name that stands out given his YouTube videos displaying his amazing trick kicks and seemingly powerful leg something he really became a fan favorite for during his short time in Detroit.
The Lions’ renewed interest in Rugland comes after the recent struggles of Akers this season who has gone 15/20 on field goals this year including a missed 31-yarder on Thanksgiving against Green Bay.
Rugland though doesn’t come without some element of risk.
Even though he was 3 for 3 in field goals during the preseason including a 50-yard kick, Rugland has zero experience kicking in NFL pressure situations something that could be extremely vital for a Lions team in the playoff hunt. Rugland also went unclaimed by the rest of the league after his cut from Detroit.
Either way, ‘Kickalicious’ remains a student of the game and steadfast on making it back to the NFL watching games and training in his native Norway.