You’ve hit seven game winners and you’ve kicked in several playoff games. What has been your most memorable kick in the NFL?
Justin Tucker: In my rookie year during the Super Bowl, I think there we had four minutes and change left in the game and we went out there and knocked down a 38-yarder to put us up by at least a touchdown. That was probably one of the more nerve-racking, but one of the best kicks that we ever went out there and knocked down.
What’s been the craziest thing an opponent has said to you before a kick?
Tucker: I tend not to pay attention too much to what’s being said. We’re not playing golf out there where everyone is quiet in your backswing. I usually don’t hear what’s going on. I’m just locked in and enjoying the moment.
You have one of the strongest legs in the NFL, and you’ve attempted kicks over 60 yards in the past. What are the chances that you break the NFL record for the longest field goal at some point in your career?
Tucker: I don’t know if I could put a percentage on my chances, but what I can tell you is we like to attempt long field goals, because we know we can go get the points, and we have the men for the job to go get points and win. A lot of other teams would maybe punt or go for it, but we’re the type of guys around here that if points are out there, and we feel like we can get them, we’re going to go get them – it doesn’t matter how far it is. Would I like to have a couple attempts from 60, 65-plus yards? Absolutely. I feel like given those opportunities, more often than not we will be successful.
You’ve hit your share of game winners and are a perfect 8-for-8 in the playoffs. What are you thinking about as you stand over a big kick?
Tucker: Really more than anything I’m just thinking of the action and not the consequence. I am focusing on the task at hand, thinking about what has brought us to this moment, what has brought me to this moment, and I remember that my technique will carry me through. Again, it’s one of those things that more often than not, we’re going to be successful. I just think about that in the back of my mind that it’s all good.
Where’s the toughest place to kick in the NFL?
Tucker: This might be a surprise, but I think our stadium, M&T Bank Stadium. I think it’s the toughest stadium to kick in, in the league – at least among the stadiums I’ve had the opportunity to play in. The wind is always swirling in there. It will change directions in between kicks. It will change directions from the time that I’m running out from the sideline to the time I’m lined up to kick the ball. It can get cold out there, so sometimes it’s like kicking a cinderblock. All those things considered, I think we’ve got such a great thing going, and we still hit a really good ball in our stadium, and we try to hit a good ball everywhere else, too.