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K Mike Nugent (All American, Lou Groza Winner, National Champion)

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Mothra said:
i've got this sweet pic i had took w/ him at the 05 fiesta bowl, where he practically jumped in my lap, ala green bay packers style, after the game. that reminds me, i should probably post my pics from that game...
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***JEALOUS*** Yes, you should! GET OVER TO THE GRAPHICS FORUM! That's what it's for, posting game photos and the like. I'd love to see them. Especially that one. :wink:
 
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Mothra said:
i can confirm the findlay mall signing... i'm going to be there. i believe it's 1-4 pm and ten bucks for his john hancock. i've got this sweet pic i had took w/ him at the 05 alamo bowl, where he practically jumped in my lap, ala green bay packers style, after the game. that reminds me, i should probably post my pics from that game...
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Sweet...I'll be wearing my "Nugent For Heisman" shirt.

BTW, don't you mean "Herbie Hancock"? :lol:
 
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Nuge and the Draft (DDN)

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/content/sports/osu/daily/0402nugent.html

Bucs high on Nugent
Kicker may be there for the taking with third-round pick

By Doug Harris

Dayton Daily News

DAYTON | When Mike Nugent was introduced to Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden during the week of the Senior Bowl, the Ohio State kicker received a warmer reception than he anticipated.

"He gave me a big hug," said Nugent, who played for the North while Gruden and his assistants coached the South. "I thought that was kind of cool. To have somebody I see on TV all the time give me a hug — before I have a chance to say 'hi' — that was a great experience."

In a few weeks, Gruden may be offering the Centerville native something he'll treasure even more than a hearty embrace: a job.

Nugent's parents met with Tampa Bay coaches before the January all-star game in Mobile, Ala., and were told the team plans to take the Buckeyes' MVP with the seventh pick of the third round.

Although many pre-draft promises could be broken as the April 23-24 event unfolds, the Nugents feel as if they've gotten a firm commitment from the Bucs.

"They said he's the one they want," said Dan Nugent, the player's father. "(Gruden said), 'You can count on us taking him in the third round. It's going to happen.' "

But Gruden added: "We can't go any higher than that. We just don't do that. The owners would fire me."

Gruden didn't return a message seeking comment. Nugent's agent, Ken Harris of Tampa, is skeptical of Gruden's statements, saying he often jokes with prospects that way.

But Mike Nugent said he came away with strong vibes from the Tampa Bay staff after going 3-for-3 on field goals to help send the South to a 23-13 defeat.

"I know they like me a lot," he said. "The Senior Bowl week went really well, and the game did, too. Hopefully, they feel positive about me."

The Buccaneers are desperate for a kicker, having parted ways with the once-reliable Martin Gramatica late last season. But Nugent may not be available when Tampa Bay goes on the clock with the 71st overall pick.

Minnesota also is rumored to be interested and could thwart the Bucs' plans by burning a second-round pick on Nugent.

And the list of possible suitors undoubtedly grew this week when Nugent held a private workout at Ohio State for Atlanta and San Francisco and made 20 straight field goals from various distances.

Most mock drafts have Nugent going in the third round. The Sporting News has Tampa Bay taking him with the first of their two third-round picks.

Jerry Jones, who publishes the Drug Store draft ratings, expects Nugent to go in the third round but said "somebody could take a shot in (round) two."

Nugent made an astonishing 88 percent of his field goals over the past three seasons and was 8-for-9 for his career from 50 yards and beyond.

"What can you find wrong with him as a kicker?" Jones said. "The only thing working against him is that they don't draft kickers high — and reasonably so because it's proven to be a risk."

Only one kicker has been taken in the first two rounds in the past 12 years: Oakland's Sebastian Janikowski, who was the 17th overall pick in 2000.

The Raiders, who were coached by Gruden then, expected a better return on their investment. Janikowski has had off-field troubles while making a modest 80.8 percent of his field goals.

Jones believes Nugent is as close to a sure thing as kickers get.

"He's got everything you want," Jones said. "He's accurate. He's a strong kickoff guy. He can handle pressure. He can handle weather."

Nugent spent a week in Tampa in February while visiting his agent and would relish spending his career in a warm climate.

"It was 70 degrees, no wind and no clouds the entire time," Nugent said.

"I'd love to kick in 90-degree heat every day. I wouldn't even mind the humidity."

Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
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I've told Mike all along that I think he's going to Minnesota with the 49th pick or Atlanta (59th I believe?). Minnesota needs a kicker desparately and they know that they have to take him with 49 to have him for sure or make a trade to get ahead of Tampa in the 3rd round and hope Atlanta doesn't sneak in and grab him late in the second round. It should be very interesting, but I'm sticking to my guns and saying Minnesota with the 49th pick.
 
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I knew it ... I've been calling for Nuge to the Bucs for about four months now. :biggrin:

I'll stand by a post I made in January regarding rumors of Nuge to the Cowboys ...

I've thought that ever since the Buccaneers released Martin Gramatica, they would be the prime candidates to take Nuge, and they have a head coach who has proven he is willing to draft a PK high. The Bucs currently have Jay Taylor only, who they picked up via FA. Taylor is a fine kicker, who was 11/11 on XP and 4-5 on FG (all attempts 30+, with a long of 50). The problem for Taylor though is that 50 is about the limit of his range, even from a tee. The Bucs kickoff and field goal units were an absolute disaster this year and the primary culprit in their 5-11 season (Brian Griese aside). 8 of their 11 losses were by a TD or less, and all of us have seen under Tressel how much of a difference field position can make in those close wins/losses.

Taylor, for example, had 20 of his 21 kickoffs returned for an average of 25 yards with a TD surrendered in 5 games. Gramatica was just as bad. Opponents' avg starting field position was darn near the 35 all year long. The Bucs had the 2nd ranked total D in the NFC, giving up about 285 yards per game - the problem was other teams only needed to drive 40 yards for the game winning points.
 
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scooter1369 said:
Janokowski can claim how many Wide Right/Left's? And he went in round one? Nuge is a round two pick at worst.
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Agreed that Nuge is a better prospect than Janikowski was, but the flip side of that is that Coaches and GM's may have taken a lesson from the Janikowski pick on the wisdom (or lack thereof) of burning a top-level draft spot on a kicker.
 
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scooter1369 said:
Janokowski can claim how many Wide Right/Left's? And he went in round one? Nuge is a round two pick at worst.
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Exactly zero of the famed "wide" kicks were Janikowski's. He's probably the reason that Nuge won't go in the first round though. He's been a solid kicker, but I just don't think that NFL teams are willing to take that chance anymore.
 
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zincfinger said:
Agreed that Nuge is a better prospect than Janikowski was, but the flip side of that is that Coaches and GM's may have taken a lesson from the Janikowski pick on the wisdom (or lack thereof) of burning a top-level draft spot on a kicker.
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The difference is that Janokowski was a problem child from high school in Daytona Beach on. He is European and has had a serious problem with booze his whole life. Nuge, however, has none of those issues and is comparably a saint.
 
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