Dave Fipp plainly explained why Lions haven't added a second kicker

After Michael Badgley's season ending injury left Jake Bates as the only kicker on the Detroit Lions' roster, it seemed sure a second kicker would be added. If not as legit competition for Bates, then as a camp leg to navigate training camp and three preseason games.

Bates' chronicled struggles as the first week of padded practices ended seemed sure to push the Lions all the way into the market for a kicker. He wasn't a lot better in one of the joint practice sessions against the Giants heading into the preseason opener.

But Bates has since rebounded. He made a 53-yard field goal in the game against the Giants, in the rain. He hit a 64-yard field to end this past Sunday's practice. He made all three of his field goals during Monday night's practice, from 33, 39 and 42 yards.

Before Bates made a field goal in the Michigan Panthers' UFL season opener this spring, he had not attempted a field goal since high school. So sheer repetitions, at least in theory, would be naturally beneficial to him.

Dave Fipp explains why Lions haven't added another kicker

After Monday night's practice, Lions special teams coach talked to reporters. Via Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, Bates was an automatic topic.

"Obviously the big kick (vs. the Giants) helped,” Fipp said after Monday’s practice....“I think the biggest thing for him is getting a little bit better — and it’s really every player, and it’s easy for me to say that — but it really is the truth."

Fipp talked about not having to "make every kick" but having to show "incremental improvement. Fipp was then asked how Bates, with his lack of experience, gets that incremental improvement.

"I think a lot of it is repetition. And that kind of hurt him early; he didn’t have the whole offseason with us. We picked him up right as the offseason (minicamp and OTAs) ended … he got a little work in but not that much.”

As for Bates being the only kicker in Lions' camp, Fipp said that's by design.

“It’s terrible that Badgley’s not here, but in a way for (Bates) it’s helped because it’s increased his workload. And that was part of the decision not to bring someone else in.”

The four kickers the Lions had in for a workout after Badgley's injury reflected a desire to see if Bates could take hold of the job. He is starting to do so, as originally hoped.