The challenger the “Kid”: Brandon Coutu

Last player drafted by Seahawks in the 7th round, 2008. Fourth kicker drafted in club history (Don Bitterlich, 1976; John Kasay, 1991; Josh Brown, 2003). Second kicker selected out of Georgia (John Kasay, 1991).

In 43 games at Georgia he scored 262 points, sixth-best total in school history. Successful on 51-of-64 field goals (79.7 percent) and all 109 extra-point tries and was good on 5-of-11 field-goal attempts from 50 yards or longer. Kicked off 221 times for a 60.68-yard distance average, as 47 of those kicks resulted in touchbacks and 167 others were returned for an 18.7-yard average.

Coutu’s senior year he had a relatively injury-free 2007 campaign, picking up All-SEC honorable mention, but re-injured his hamstring in the season finale vs. Georgia Tech. He hit on 16-of-21 field goals and 44 conversions for 92 points. Only one of his 67 kickoffs resulted in a touchback, as he had an average distance of 59.0 yards, resulting in 61 of his kicks being returned for a 19.9-yard average.

As a junior he played in just five games during 2006 before sitting out the rest of the season with a torn right hamstring. He finished the year with 47 points on 10-of-11 field goals and 17-of-17 PATs. He kicked off 15 times for a 64.2-yard distance average and six touchbacks, as the opposition averaged 20.2 yards on nine returns.

During his sophomore year he was selected All-Southeastern Conference first-team by the league's coaches. His 114 points scored rank fifth on the school's single-season record list, as he made 23-of-29 field goals and all 45 extra point tries. Fifty-four of his 7 kickoffs (61.6-yard distance average) were returned for an 18.4-yard average, as 22 of those attempts were ruled touchbacks.

As a freshman he mostly handled kickoff chores in 2004, with 62 attempts for a 60.5-yard distance average, as 43 were returned for 737 yards (17.1 avg), making 2-of-3 field goals and all three PATs for 9 points.

The Veteran the “Old Man”: Olindo Mare

Mare signed with Seattle as a free agent on March 27, 2008, originally signed by the N.Y. Giants as an un-drafted rookie free agent on May 2, 1996. Picked up by Miami the following season and kicked for the Dolphins for 10 seasons. He was traded to the New Orleans Saints on April 3, 2007, for a sixth round draft choice.

1996: Spent the season on the Giant’s practice squad.

1997: Played in 16 games and led Miami with 117 points. He was 28 of 36 on field goals and made all 33 PATs. Punted five times for a 47.0-yard average with a long of 53, with two downed inside the five.

1998: Played in 16 games and both playoff contests. He converted on 33 of his 34 PATs and 22 of his 27 field goals. Had a stretch of seven games where he connected on 14 straight field goals.

1999: He had the top season for a kicker in Miami history. Converted 39 of 46 field goal attempts (84.8 percent), with a long of 54, and scored 144 points. His 39 field goals and 84.8 percent accuracy mark were team records at the time, and field goal total was an NFL single-season record and 20 of 84 kickoffs were touchbacks, second in NFL. Mare made the Pro-bowl.

2000: Converted 28 of 31 field goals and 33 of 34 PATs for 117 points. Point total ranked fourth in AFC and ninth in NFL. Conversion rate of 90.3 was fifth in NFL. Connected on first 11 field goals, and following first misfire, made next 16.

2001: Played in 16 games and hit 19 of 21 field goals and 39 of 40 PATs for 96 points. Conversion rate of .905 was best in the NFL and marked a new Dolphins record. Of 73 kickoffs, 12 went for touchbacks, tied for second-highest total in the NFL. Mare converted each of his first 13 attempts of season.

2002: Played in 16 games and made 24 of 31 field goals and 42 of 43 PATs for 114 points, ranking sixth in AFC. This was the fourth time in six NFL seasons that he surpassed 100 points. Of 84 kickoffs, 12 went for touchbacks, ranking fourth in NFL. At Denver (10/13) drilled a 53-yard field goal with six seconds remaining for the win. The kick followed a 55-yard FG by Denver K Jason Elam with 45 seconds left, the first time in NFL history that a kicker from each team had a field goal of 50 yards or more with less than a minute to play.

2003: Played in all 16 games and was 22 of 29 FGs and 33 of 34 PATs for 99 points, ranking sixth in AFC. Of his 74 kickoffs, 24 went for touchbacks, best in NFL and highest total by a kicker since advent of the K-Ball in 1999. Hit a career-high four field goals of 50 yards or longer.

2004: Played in 11 games and led team with 54 points on 12 of 16 FGs and 18 PATs. Olindo sat out the New England game with a calf injury, snapping a string of 116 consecutive games played.

2005: Played in 16 games, led Miami with 108 points, made 25 of 30 field goals and all 33 PATs. Of his 71 kickoffs, 16 were touchbacks, ranking third in NFL. Drilled 200th career field goal with a 53-yarder at Tampa Bay (10/16).

2006: Led the Dolphins in scoring with 100 points, going 26 of 36 on field goals and making all 22 extra points. He finished season by making his final nine field goal attempts, and had 24 touchbacks on kickoffs, leading the NFL. Kicked a 22-yard field goal vs. Kansas City (11/12) put him over 1,000 career points, one of 39 players in NFL history to reach the milestone.

2007: Mare played in 13 games for the Saints, connecting on 10 of 17 field goals in an injury riddled season, placed on injured reserve (hip) on December 12.

Well, there you have it the “kid” versus the “old man”, a classic confrontation sure to give Seahawk fans plenty to squawk about this pre-season. Let the kicking begin!