Bengals' Mike Nugent arrives for OTAs
Bengals notebook
May. 29, 2012
Written by
Joe Reedy
While the Bengals were going through offseason conditioning, Mike Nugent was kicking up at Ohio State. / Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE
Fresh off getting married, kicker Mike Nugent has reported to the Bengals halfway through their offseason program.
Nugent, who received the franchise tag before free agency began, had his physical last Thursday. Tuesday marked his second practice as the team resumed Organized Team Activities.
When it comes to working out a long-term deal, progress has been slow. Nugent, though, remains optimistic that something can be worked out by July 15, which is the deadline for tagged players to negotiate a deal or play under the tag, which for kickers is $2.654 million, which is guaranteed. Nugent had a base salary of $685,000 last season.
?With the negotiation process, everyone?s trying to get to one common goal. At the end of the day, and I?ve been saying this for awhile, one of your goals is you want your team to want you back.,? Nugent said. ?I?m in a very fortunate position in that my team wants me to come back for another season. As long as you can keep performing and do the right things and your team is saying that about you, that was my thinking about the whole thing.?
While the Bengals were going through offseason conditioning, Nugent was kicking up at Ohio State. Last year during the lockout, Nugent, punter Kevin Huber and long snapper Clark Harris remained in Cincinnati and worked out at UC.
When it comes to negotiations, the one benefit is that Tampa Bay and Connor Barth have set the market. The Bucs originally tagged Barth, but both sides came to an agreement two weeks ago on a four-year deal worth $13.2 million. Barth will average $3.3 million over the course of the contract with $4 million being guaranteed.
Said Nugent of the deal: ?I?m not really sure how to look at it. I kind of took it as a positive. He deserved it. He?s been kicking really well for them. It?s one of those things, you hope we?ll keep talking.
?But at the end of the day it?s great being back with the guys and Darrin (Simmons) and working with the coaches and just showing them that it?s not like I?ve been sitting around the whole time. I?ve been staying in shape and started kicking a couple of months of go.?
Nugent set a team record for field goals last season, making 34 of 40, and points (136). He also had two game-winning field goals. Nugent, though, did struggle down the stretch, missing four of his last 11 kicks.
When the tag deadline hits, Nugent will be on his honeymoon in Hawaii. Nugent got married on May 19 to Emily Cunningham in Hilton Head, S.C. The two met on Chris Spielman's Buckeye Cruise four years ago.