ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons signed kicker Giorgio Tavecchio on Oct. 15 and a week later, Tavecchio was not only 3-for-3 but his 56-yard field goal put the game out of reach for Atlanta, resulting in a 23-20 win.
Tavecchio said the longest kick he had made in practice was a 53-yard field goal, so the 56-yarder is now the longest kick he's ever made in his career. And when asked what his mindset was as he approached the kick, he didn't change a thing … in his mind it was just like any other kick – very anticlimactic.
"Just blank," Tavecchio said of his mindset approaching the 56-yard field goal attempt. "Blank like the other couple kicks. When I step on the field, I have a pretty set routine and I just went through my breathing and went through the kick checklist. Great snap, great hold, great protection and I was able to do my job."
For a kicker who before last week was without a job to come in and execute flawlessly the way he did, it's a testament to not only Tavecchio and his preparation, but his teammates who helped him get acclimated, including Matt Bosher.
It was all about getting reps together this week and they paid off. Bosher even had Tavecchio over for dinner at his house to ensure he was comfortable as they got ready for the Monday night matchup.
"I was excited for Giorgio to have that opportunity," Bosher said. "I loved seeing him ice it. It was fantastic."
His 56-yard field goal was the longest by a player in his first game with a new team in the last 40 seasons, according to NFL Research.
"For him to go 3-for-3, one from 50 and 56, what a hell of a way to start," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
And no one's denying that.
