Circus over: 'Kickalicious' Havard Rugland cut by Detroit Lions, The Kickalicious era has come to an end before it ever really began.
The Detroit Lions cut Norwegian placekicker Havard Rugland on Tuesday morning. They must trim their roster to 75 players by 4 p.m.
Cornerback DeQuan Menzie also was released, leaving Detroit with three more cuts to make before the deadline.
Rugland was a camp sensation for the Lions, after rising from YouTube sensation to NFL player. He filmed a trick-kick video in Norway last year, then was signed by Detroit this offseason.
His fame grew after the preseason opener, when he knocked through both field-goal attempts, each from at least 49 yards. Even his veteran teammates were captured by the moment.
National publications such as GQ visited Allen Park to interview the YouTube star, and the Norwegian press was a regular sight at both the practice facilities and even on the road in Cleveland.
But for as good as his story felt, Rugland always faced long odds of making the team with longtime veteran and former Pro Bowler David Akers battling for the same roster spot.
Akers has made 7-of-8 field goals in preseason games, with his lone miss veering wide right from 31 yards in last week's win against the New England Patriots, and even made a 63-yarder in practice.
Akers' workload increased in the past week, and he attempted all five field goals against the Patriots. Rugland, meantime, has struggled this week in practice, pushing at least three field goals to the left.
The writing was on the wall for Rugland to be cut. Even coach Jim Schwartz wasn't high on Rugland's chances when asked about him last week.
"I don't know," he said. "We'll see if the situation comes up. We're not out here having a county fair, circus or paying a dollar and having a shot at doing something. If it comes up within the scheme of practice or games and he's called upon, I'm sure he'll go out and give it his best."
The Detroit Lions cut Norwegian placekicker Havard Rugland on Tuesday morning. They must trim their roster to 75 players by 4 p.m.
Cornerback DeQuan Menzie also was released, leaving Detroit with three more cuts to make before the deadline.
Rugland was a camp sensation for the Lions, after rising from YouTube sensation to NFL player. He filmed a trick-kick video in Norway last year, then was signed by Detroit this offseason.
His fame grew after the preseason opener, when he knocked through both field-goal attempts, each from at least 49 yards. Even his veteran teammates were captured by the moment.
National publications such as GQ visited Allen Park to interview the YouTube star, and the Norwegian press was a regular sight at both the practice facilities and even on the road in Cleveland.
But for as good as his story felt, Rugland always faced long odds of making the team with longtime veteran and former Pro Bowler David Akers battling for the same roster spot.
Akers has made 7-of-8 field goals in preseason games, with his lone miss veering wide right from 31 yards in last week's win against the New England Patriots, and even made a 63-yarder in practice.
Akers' workload increased in the past week, and he attempted all five field goals against the Patriots. Rugland, meantime, has struggled this week in practice, pushing at least three field goals to the left.
The writing was on the wall for Rugland to be cut. Even coach Jim Schwartz wasn't high on Rugland's chances when asked about him last week.
"I don't know," he said. "We'll see if the situation comes up. We're not out here having a county fair, circus or paying a dollar and having a shot at doing something. If it comes up within the scheme of practice or games and he's called upon, I'm sure he'll go out and give it his best."
