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

[Buckskin86]

Nugent Waiting For Redemption

Mike Nugent?s debut in Tampa Bay as the Bucs? new kicker didn?t go as planned in the team?s 34-21 loss to Dallas in the season opener. Nugent?s first field goal attempt was blocked, and his other attempt, a 46-yarder before halftime, was wide right.

The competitive Nugent is 0-2 on the year and eager to get a chance to atone for his failures against Dallas. Yet hasn?t had any field goal opportunities to attempt field goals over the last two weeks, which has been frustrating.

?It does get to me a little bit because I love the game and I love kicking and helping my team,? Nugent said. ?Even though I many not be kicking a field goal or an extra point on that series, I am kicking into the net on the sidelines and going through my routine so I am prepared.?

Due to Tampa Bay?s inept offensive showing against New York on Sunday, the Bucs didn?t cross midfield until their final drive of the fourth quarter, getting into Nugent?s range just once.

?On that last drive in the fourth quarter I was just standing there waiting to go in just in case they wanted to get some points on the board,? Nugent said. ?I try to focus on getting better each day and I?m excited to go out and practice. It?s really tough with kicking because I have so much fun doing it, but I can?t go out and kick 1,000 balls per day. It?s not like going to the driving range, even though golfers can get tired of swinging the clubs, too. With kicking you want to make sure you are ready to go on Sunday and not have a dead leg.?

Nugent?s day consisted of just one kickoff, which came at the start of the game. Little did he know that would be his only chance to step on to the field on Sunday against the Giants. That?s something that Nugent is not accustomed to.

?It?s happened only once to me where I?ve only had one play ? during my rookie year against Denver,? Nugent said. ?I just had the opening kickoff in the second half and that was it for me.?

Adams, Others Held Out Of Practice | Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pewter Report

 

[Buckskin86]

Kicking problems continue for Bucs' Nugent
By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune
Published: October 5, 2009

Staff photo by CLIFF McBRIDE
Dirk Johnson consoles kicker Mike Nugent after his missed field goal in the second quarter.

LANDOVER, Md. - Tampa Bay's Mike Nugent kicked himself more accurately than he did the ball after his team's 16-13 loss against Washington.

Nugent missed his first two field goal attempts, at which point he was 0-for-4 for the season. Against the Redskins he missed from 49 and 48 yards. In the opener against Dallas, he missed from 46 yards and had a 38-yard attempt blocked.

"Easily the worst (stretch of my career), to be honest with you," Nugent said. "I am hitting the ball well. I'm just not putting it through. I didn't do my job today."

Nugent did make a 37-yard field goal prior to halftime, and later connected on a 22-yard kick, but he admits he has struggled this season.

One of the primary reasons Nugent was signed during the offseason was because of his ability to make long-distance field goals. Nugent beat out former Bucs K Matt Bryant, who missed most of training camp because of a hamstring injury. Bryant was cut, but whenever Nugent has been called upon to make a long kick, he has missed.

"We still had a chance to win the ballgame even with the two missed field goals and it's our job to win football games," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "He'll get his opportunity again and we've got to make those things. There is no doubt about it."

Kicking problems continue for Bucs' Nugent

 

[willsonphilips]

Unfortunely it is being reported by ProFootballTalk.com that Nugent has been cut by the Bucs. I'm sure that a kicker of Nugent's caliber will caught on some where else quickly. Good luck.

 

[dragurd]

Well missing 4 of 6 kicks on the year and 2 in a game they lost by 3 is a good way to get cut.

 

[majorpayne27]

Unfortunely it is being reported by ProFootballTalk.com that Nugent has been cut by the Bucs. I'm sure that a kicker of Nugent's caliber will caught on some where else quickly. Good luck.

Yeah, you can't miss like that in the NFL.

New Kicker for Bucs: Shane Andrus
Oct 05, 2009 - Struggling to score points during an 0-4 start, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have elected to make a change at the highest-scoring position on the roster. On Monday, the Buccaneers announced the release of kicker Mike Nugent and the signing of Shane Andrus to take his place.

In other roster-related news, second-year cornerback Marcus Hamilton was released, opening up an additional spot on the 53-man roster. That spot may eventually be used to activate safety Tanard Jackson, who is returning this week from a four-game commissioner?s suspension. However, Jackson currently carries an exemption and does not count against the roster until the team chooses to make him active.

Andrus has spent most of the past three years trying to crack the roster at Indianapolis, where the Colts have enjoyed the services of Pro Bowl kicker Adam Vinatieri during the regular season. Andrus was originally signed as a free agent in 2006 and went to camp with the Colts in each of the next three summers. He also kicked for the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europa in spring of 2007, helping Hamburg to the World Bowl championship in the league's final year of existence. He played his college ball at Murray State.

Andrus played in one game for the Colts this season, handling kickoff duties in their season opener against Jacksonville. Andrus led Indianapolis with 19 points during the 2009 preseason, connecting on five of six field goal attempts and all four extra point tries.

Nugent was signed as an unrestricted free agent in March though the Buccaneers still had incumbent kicker Matt Bryant on the roster. The team envisioned a healthy competition between Nugent and Bryant in training camp and preseason games, but the competition never materialized as a leg injury kept Bryant out of the entire preseason.

Even without that battle, the Bucs felt confident going into the 2009 season with the former Jets kicker who had made 81.5% of his field goals while in New York while also becoming known for strong kickoffs. Nugent did display a strong leg on kickoffs, with six of his 12 reaching the end zone, two for touchbacks, but he made only two of his six field goal attempts during the first quarter of the season.

Nugent was 0-2 in his Buccaneers debut against Dallas on September 13, though his first attempt was blocked. After not trying a three-pointer against Buffalo or the New York Giants, Nugent got four attempts in Washington this past Sunday and made two of them. He hit the right upright on a 49-yard attempt in the first quarter, missed to right on a 48-yarder in the second quarter and slid a successful 37-yard field goal just inside that same post in the fourth period. Nugent also made a 22-yard try late in the fourth quarter that pulled the Bucs to within three points of the Redskins, 16-13.

This marks the second time in the last six seasons that the Buccaneers have made an in-season change at kicker not related to injury. In 2004, the Buccaneers cut former Pro Bowler Martin Gramatica 11 games into the campaign after Gramatica had struggled for the better part of two seasons. Former Arena League kicker Jay Taylor finished the season for the Buccaneers, who signed Bryant the following season.

Jackson was not allowed to practice with the Buccaneers during his four-game suspension, but he can return to the field this week. A fourth-round pick in 2007, Jackson had started all 32 games at free safety during his first two seasons in the league. On Monday, Head Coach Raheem Morris said the team would use this week to evaluate whether Jackson would start this coming Sunday at Philadelphia and how large of a role he would play.

Will Allen has started the last two games at free safety. Jermaine Phillips opened the season in that position but landed on injured reserve after suffering a fractured thumb at Buffalo in Week Two.

?I haven?t seen Tanard in four weeks," said Morris. "We have to get him back in the building, let him practice. To be fair to Will Allen, to be fair to Sabby [Piscitelli], to be fair to Tanard, you have to find out where Tanard is, what he can do and what he can?t do.?

?You don?t want to put too much on a guy that hasn?t been here for four weeks as a part of your team. I?m sure he is eager to get back here. I?m eager to see him and his teammates are eager to see him. He made a mistake and he is paying for it. Hopefully he can come back and help this football team win some football games.?

Hamilton signed with the Buccaneers on September 23 and has since appeared in one game and been inactive for another. He originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick of the Buccaneers in 2007 but spent most of the 2008 campaign with the Chicago Bears.

Buccaneers.com | News - New Kicker for Bucs: Shane Andrus

 

[osucollegebuck]

Does kicking change that much from college to the NFL? Do the kickers need to change trajectory because of taller lineman?

 

[majorpayne27]

Does kicking change that much from college to the NFL? Do the kickers need to change trajectory because of taller lineman?

The biggest change is kicking brand-new balls as opposed to the game-used balls in college. I have no idea how much of an impact that makes.

I'm sure the taller players makes it more difficult too.

 

[Steve19]

I think the new balls make a great difference. Back in the 1980s, Naas Botha, one of the greatest kickers in rugby history, was signed by the Dallas Cowboys on the strength of a video of his regular kicking a football from about 60 yards, as I remember. He never made it above 3rd for the Cowboys and was cut.

 

[Dryden]

Does kicking change that much from college to the NFL? Do the kickers need to change trajectory because of taller lineman?

As majorpayne27 mentioned, the biggest difference is probably "the K ball." Around 10 years ago the NFL competition committee voted to implement a rule change that would require kickers and punters to kick using brand new footballs. Teams had alleged for decades that the kickers and punters were in cahoots with team equipment personnel to doctor footballs (much like doctoring baseballs) to make them easier to kick straight and increase distance.

The K ball rule requires Wilson to deliver 12 brand new balls every game directly to the officials' locker room. The K balls are individually bagged and boxed with tamper-resistant tape. The problem with using brand new footballs is that they are very slick and have a much smaller sweet spot.

Touchbacks in the NFL declined around 25% in the first year of using new balls for kickoffs, and a number of formerly reliable kickers struggled with the ball on FG attempts immediately after the change was made. While most NFL vets eventually adapted, it is a challenge for any college specialist moving up to the next level.

At this point however, Nuge has been in the league going on five years. He should be over the adjustment, so I don't think blaming the K ball is an excuse for his struggles any longer.

 

[Buckskin86]

Best of the rest
Mike Nugent

As a Buckeye: Four-year letter-winner (2001-04), two-time All-American and 2004 Lou Groza Award (!) winner is widely considered the Buckeyes' best-ever kicker. The team MVP in 2004 - that says a lot.

As a pro: Second-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2005, but the marriage didn't last. Nugent had three decent years (75 of 91 field goals overall, 82.4 percent) before suffering a strained right quadriceps in the 2008 opener. The Jets brought in Jay Feely, who did well, and Nugent decided to test the free-agent market last offseason.

The skinny: Bad move, at least so far. Nugent signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay in March. But he missed his first four field-goal tries with the Bucs, then missed attempts of 49 and 48 yards in a 16-13 loss to Washington on Oct. 4. He was released the next day.

GameDay+

 

[Buckskin86]

Wilson: Patriots perusing special-teamers

Nugent, Zelenka try out for Patriots Aaron Wilson
October 29, 2009

Perusing the special-teams market, the New England Patriots auditioned several players who specialize in the kicking game.

According to a league source, the Patriots tried out kickers Mike Nugent and Connor Barth, punter Tim Masthay and long snapper Joe Zelenka,

The Patriots didn't immediately sign anyone, though.

File the workout under the just-in-case category.

Wilson: Patriots perusing special-teamers | National Football Post

 

[Buckskin86]

Wilson: Ravens take a look at kickers
Hauschka has a right foot injury
Aaron Wilson

With kicker Steve Hauschka dealing with a right ankle injury suffered in practice this week, the Baltimore Ravens took a look at two free agent kickers today.

According to a league source, the Ravens tried out kickers Mike Nugent and Connor Barth.

Neither player was immediately signed.

Nugent and Barth also tried out for the New England Patriots earlier this week.

Hauschka said Friday that he hit the football awkwardly during practice, but expected to be fine for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.

He was listed as probable on the injury report.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Wilson-Ravens-take-a-look-at-kickers.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Wilson: Ravens' kicker Hauschka struggling
Replacement for Matt Stover has missed two pressure kicks
Aaron Wilson
November 09, 2009

OWINGS MILLS, Md. ? The ice may be growing thinner underneath of Baltimore Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka?s feet.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is facing a dilemma at kicker.
Following another critical missed field goal in the fourth quarter of a 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens? patience with Hauschka might be wearing out.

Instead of reaffirming that Hauschka is definitely going to be the Ravens? kicker going forward, Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to give him much of a vote of confidence when asked if the team was planning to make a change.

?We?re not ready to make any kind of announcement on that,? Harbaugh said Monday. ?We think Steve is going to be a really good kicker in the NFL. I?m disappointed with that kick. I know Steve is, too.

?He can kick that ball a lot better. It was not a good swing, but we?re not ready to say we don?t think he?s going to be a good kicker in the NFL yet.?

Was that a slip of the tongue that Harbaugh didn?t specifically indicate he meant with the Ravens?

The Ravens recently worked out kickers Mike Nugent and Connor Barth, and they have a strong level of interest in Nugent.

Nugent was considered as a potential addition this offseason before he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Ravens are mulling their options after Hauschka?s latest setback.

Tabbed as the replacement for Matt Stover after winning a competition with Graham Gano, Hauschka has yet to connect on a pressure kick.

Wilson: Ravens' kicker Hauschka struggling | National Football Post

 

[Buckskin86]

Ravens try out kickers; coach backs Hauschka
By Jamison Hensley
From Sun staff and news services
November 11, 2009

Former NFL kickers Mike Nugent (New York Jets) and Billy Cundiff ( Dallas Cowboys) tried out for the Ravens at their Owings Mills training complex Tuesday, but no signings were announced by the team.

Steve Hauschka has made eight of 11 field-goal tries in his first season as Ravens kicker but had critical misses against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 18 and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Both missed kicks hooked left. The kick against the Vikings was to win the game as time ran out.

"Steve works really hard; he's really got a lot of talent. He's our best option," coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday night on his weekly radio show on WBAL.

This is the second time Nugent has tried out for the Ravens.

Ravens try out kickers; coach backs Hauschka -- baltimoresun.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Kicker, injury concerns
By Dan Kolko on November 17, 2009

The Ravens tried out two kickers last week after Steve Hauschka missed his second clutch fourth quarter kick in three games.

This week, they might have to do more than just give a couple guys an audition; they might have to dish out a contract.

Hauschka missed another kick in Monday night's 16-0 win over the Browns, this time a 36-yarder mid-way through the first quarter. The second-year man out of NC State has now missed three of his last six attempts, all of which have been hooked wide left.

He also had an extra point blocked last night, although he did convert on a 44-yard kick late in the third quarter.

"That was just disappointing," head coach John Harbaugh said of Hauschka's performance. "He's got to kick the ball better, kick the ball with more confidence. You need your kicker to play better than that."

Asked if the Ravens will consider evaluating the kicking position and possibly bringing in someone to replace Hauschka, Harbaugh said that's something that is being discussed.

"We've been evaluating the kicking position," Harbaugh said. "He'd be the first to tell you he's got to kick better than that. He kicks better than that in practice; he's kicked better in games up to this point. He just didn't do a good job tonight with that, and I think he knows that."

Former Jets kicker Mike Nugent has had two tryouts with the Ravens this season, and apparently kicked well.

- MASNsports.com