Dec 04, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins kicker Graham Gano (4) kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at FedEx Field. the Jets defeated the Redskins 34-19. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

This is good news for the Panthers, who have had woes on the kicking front after releasing veteran kicker John Kasey two years ago. It was reported earlier that Gano was actually taking Kasey’s jersey number, the number four, but it is now reported that Graham will be wearing the number nine against the Eagles on Monday.

Gano’s record as a kicker is actually pretty solid. He has three years of experience in the NFL, spending all three years with the Washington Redskins. He tied the Redskin’s franchise record for field goals made last season, and has been reported as very clutch. Sadly he broke three vertebrae in his week seventeen matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was never able to prove himself to the Redskins after his injury, and was cut after only three pre-season field goal attempts. It was said that he was cut due to the fact that he wasn’t fully healed.

As for Medlock, the coaching staff thought that his lack of touchbacks and his missed field goals against Denver and Tampa, which could have changed the flow of those to games, were reason enough to cut him. I personally love the fact that the coaching staff is making big changes to change the tempo for the rest of ther season, and hopefully Gano will turn out to be opposite of Mare and Medlock, a bust. Graham is young, so if he does work out we can probably hope to see more than just a few years out of him. Gano will get his first start against the Philadelphia Eagles this Monday, in primetime. Please leave your thoughts about Gano and Medlock in the comments below.

November 4, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Justin Medlock (6) attempts a field goal against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Graham Gano will be taking over field goal kicking duties for Justin Medlock after three straight games with missed/blocked field goals. Medlock had started the year very well going seven for seven, but after a chance to extend the lead against the Buccaneers missed, the Panthers eventually lost the game in overtime. Maybe Gano will find that kicking magic as he takes Kasay’s old number 4, the only other player in franchise history to don the number. Gano was cut from the Washington Redskins during the offseason, but after a strong showing during workouts the Panthers went with him over Nate Kaeding, another kicker cut from his former team looking for redemption. Kaeding had been recovering from injury, which might have also helped influence the decision to go with Gano.

It’s unfortunate that Medlock didn’t work out. He was a bit of a journeyman with a short NFL stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2007 after being drafted in the fifth round out of UCLA. He then made his living in the Canadian Football League. He won the starting job during the offseason and preseason against Olindo Mare, the supposed replacement for John Kasay who missed several opportunities last season, especially chances to put games away. For now we turn our hopes to Graham Gano as we continue to make changes for this season in preparation for a better next year.