Judging by looks alone, the Ravens' kicking competition might have been decided in the second quarter of Monday's 24-23 preseason victory over the New York Jets.
That's when Graham Gano's 46-yard field-goal attempt sliced wide right, leading coach John Harbaugh to glare in disgust at the field while shaking his head.
Halfway through the preseason, there are indications Steve Hauschka is close to winning the job over Gano. Hauschka has outplayed Gano, making all three of his field-goal tries. Gano has missed two of three.
Harbaugh acknowledged that the Ravens could determine their kicker after Saturday's preseason game at Carolina. "Like they always say, those guys will make that decision for us," he said, "and we'll see how it plays out."
So far, it has played out well for Hauschka, the Ravens' kickoff specialist last season. This preseason, he has converted field goals from 21, 37 and 42 yards.
Gano, an undrafted rookie out of Florida State, made his first field goal (a 39-yarder) before missing from 28 and 46 yards. A high snap led to his hitting the right upright in the preseason opener. On Monday, he missed badly on a long-range field-goal try, driving the ball 3 yards right of the upright.
"I was trying to play the wind a little bit, but I think I played it a little too much," Gano said. "I'm just ready to get back out there for the next kick."
Gano said he hasn't tried to figure out where he stands in the kicking battle. One person on a message board referred to him as Graham "Gone-o."
"I'm just trying to do my job," Gano said. "I feel pretty good about [Monday]. Of course, I wish I could have made that field goal. But I'm going to come back the next game against the Panthers and do my best."
The Ravens split the kickers' time in the preseason opener, letting Hauschka kick in the first half and Gano in the second. The team reversed the order Monday, but Gano didn't finish the second quarter.
Hauschka, who connected on a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, said he doesn't try to gauge the competition to replace Matt Stover, the veteran kicker who was not re-signed by the Ravens.
"I wasn't too concerned with Graham's kick," Hauschka said. "I'm hoping the best for him. I got to focus on myself, and that's the most important thing for a kicker."
It's a tough situation because Hauschka and Gano have been nearly inseparable this summer. They spend nearly every minute of practice side by side. They share a locker at M&T Bank Stadium. They were roommates in training camp.
