Campaigns for the United States' 2016 presidential election are in full swing, and while not quite on the same level as those individuals who may one day run our country, Richard Sherman began a campaign of his own during his Week 6 Wednesday press conference when he endorsed Steven Hauschka for Pro Bowl consideration.
Seattle's All-Pro cornerback has backed his teammates for NFL honors in the past. Some showings of support have proved to be more successful than others, most notably the first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition bestowed upon Bobby Wagner last year despite the fact the Seahawks linebacker missed five games at midseason to injury. Hauschka, the Seahawks' kicker, is who Sherman's promoting this year.
"I think Steven Hauschka's next," Sherman said. "I mean, geez, you make multiple 50-yard field goals and nobody even bats an eyelash at him."
Hauschka has connected on all 11 of the field goals he's attempted this season, including three boots of 50 yards or more, as Sherman points out. His season-long measures 54 yards, a kick that came against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2, and against the Detroit Lions in Week 4, when Hauschka hit field goals of 51 and 52 yards, he became the first Seahawks kicker to hit two 50-plus yard field goals in the same game since Josh Brown did it against the Atlanta Falcons in December 2007.
"I think he's played remarkable in this time where kicking has been kind of inconsistent and I don't think he's getting any recognition at all," Sherman said. "I'd say he's getting very little. It's disturbing to say the least."
Hauschka did get some recognition just last week, actually, from ESPN Insider Mike Sando, who ranked Hauschka the second-best kicker in the NFL through the season's first four weeks. The site also surveyed 24 kickers around the League asking each one who the best kicker in the game is, and while not at the top of the list, Hauschka did receive a handful of votes from his peers.
There's still plenty of season left to play, though, and if Hauschka - nicknamed 'Hausch-Money' - stays consistent, he could find himself the next beneficiary of Sherman's seal of approval.
