Raiders add former Fresno State kicker Goessling

On the eve of their first preseason game, the Raiders announced they have released kicker/punter Michael Palardy and signed free agent kicker Kevin Goessling

Goessling was a teammate of Derek Carr at Fresno State for three seasons from 2009-11. Goessling tried out for the Raiders in rookie mini-camp but was unsigned. The Raiders later opted to add the dual threat left footed kicker/punter Palardy. As it so happens, Carr was holding for Palardy in practice. Now he will hold for his former FSU teammate.

The left-footed kicker was a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection at Fresno State. He converted 61 of 81 field goal attempts over four seasons with the Bulldogs from 2008-11. His career long is 58 yards.

Palardy had been backing up both Sebastian Janikowski at kicker as well as Marquette King at punter. With the addition of Goessling, King will be the team's only punter. But then again, King isn't your typical punter. He can handle the workload and will probably do it enthusiastically. "Turn up" as he likes to say.

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