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Throughout training camp and the preseason, veteran kicker Josh Lambo has been engaged in a battle with rookie Younghoe Koo over the rights to the Chargers place kicking job. Today a winner has been declared. As the team trims down to their final 53-man roster, it has been announced that the Chargers have released third-year man Josh Lambo.
Chargers released K Josh Lambo, per source. Plan is to go w/ Younghoe Koo, who is from South Korea and didn't speak English until he was 12.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2017
Lambo has been incredibly inconsistent in his two years with the Chargers, and they obviously felt like Koo would be a more dependable option at this point. Some will point out that Lambo looked to have the stronger leg on kickoffs during the preseason, as he had more touchbacks than Koo. However, ESPN’s Eric Williams offered this important statistic:
Opposing teams averaged just 21 yards a return on Koo's kickoffs, as opposed to Lambo's touch backs (25-yard line). https://t.co/htJPP5GbYg
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) September 2, 2017
Watching Koo’s preseason kickoffs you will notice the height he is able to achieve, routinely allowing the coverage team time to get down the field and make a play short of the 25-yard line.
And finally, we have this take on Lambo’s release:
I thought you were supposed to keep the Lambo to get the Younghoe? The Chargers are out here changing the game...lol
— MrNooner2U (@MrNooner84) September 2, 2017
What do you think of the Chargers decision to keep Younghoe Koo over Josh Lambo? Feel free to comment below.