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Mike Nugent tries out for the Bengals


jjakq27

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Isn't there a reason he's not on the Jets any longer?

"Tampa Bay cut Nugent one day after he missed two field-goal tries in a 16-13 loss to Washington. He was 2 of 6 on the season when the Buccaneers left a message on his voice mail saying he was no longer needed."

According to wiki, he injured his quad last year and was released by the Jets, who signed Jay Feely to replace him.

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Mike_Nugent

He was 75 of 91 (82.4%) for the Jets between 2005 and 2008.


/>http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/02/kicker_mike_nugent_declines_of.html

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Not sure yet, definitely like Nugent, still has potential to kick like he did at OSU, and was "pretty good" for the Jets. I don't know that he's much more than a slight upgrade to Graham kicking off, or kicking FG's. But I would say he definitely has a strong leg and can hit more from 45+ than Graham.

Great option to save $ if you just want another Graham, and hope Nug doesn't have the same tendencies to miss big kicks, or can recover from bad snaps etc.., better.

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I mentioned this in another thread but I would like to see us attempt to get one of the Colts' kickers. Either Stover or Vinatieri.

Also, I noticed that several teams are using kickoff specialists. I don't know if we have that luxury but perhaps it is time to consider that if our kicker can't get it into the end zone consistently.

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I mentioned this in another thread but I would like to see us attempt to get one of the Colts' kickers. Either Stover or Vinatieri.

Also, I noticed that several teams are using kickoff specialists. I don't know if we have that luxury but perhaps it is time to consider that if our kicker can't get it into the end zone consistently.

I noticed that too. It reminded me of when Lee Johnson used to kick off in place of Jim Breech. Johnson used to put it in the endzone on a frequent basis.

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Whether Nugent is the answer or not, at least they're looking. If nothing else, this keeps Graham from becoming complacent, which can't be a bad thing.

Complacent....?

Graham is not under contract after March (IIRC).

Unless he is given a new deal, the Bengals will be in the market for a kicker. Complacency has little to do with it.

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I'll take the potential of Nugent regaining his form(which by the way fits well with our team mindset of redemption) over Graham redhaired flimsy leg anyday. I'll take Vinatieri in a heartbeat as well.

I was also wondering about these kickoff specialists but a kicker should be able to do that to.

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At first I read that as Ted Nugent, and I thought, hell, I bet he could hit a 28 yard field goal. Lord knows that crazy mofo isn't gonna be afraid of the pressure.

He'd probably be the first kicker to have his own intro song like MLB closers do. Who wouldn't like hearing some "Cat Scratch Fever" playing while a Bengals kicker is lining up?

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At first I read that as Ted Nugent, and I thought, hell, I bet he could hit a 28 yard field goal. Lord knows that crazy mofo isn't gonna be afraid of the pressure.

He'd probably be the first kicker to have his own intro song like MLB closers do. Who wouldn't like hearing some "Cat Scratch Fever" playing while a Bengals kicker is lining up?

Nugent needs to change the mojo up. Make it Great White Buffalo.

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Whether Nugent is the answer or not, at least they're looking. If nothing else, this keeps Graham from becoming complacent, which can't be a bad thing.

Complacent....?

Graham is not under contract after March (IIRC).

Unless he is given a new deal, the Bengals will be in the market for a kicker. Complacency has little to do with it.

Good call. I completely forgot that he wouldn't be under contract much longer.

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I can see how a non-Buckeye fan would certainly greet this news with a shoulder shrug.

For OSU fans though, we remember the ice water that ran in his veins as he routinely kicked 50+ yard game winners with the clock expiring.

Not sure why he hasn't been as successful in the pros... but I'm certainly happy to give him a shot. If nothing else, there is untapped potential there that Graham simply didn't possess.

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Nugent was the best college kicker of the decade arguably. I guess you could say kicker is the easiest position to transition from college to pro. So I'm not really sure why he never got it going for the Jets. He was mediocre.

That said, anything would be an upgrade over Shayne Graham (except maybe Nate Kaeding) at this point.

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I think Doug Pelfrey is a good example of the transition from the Coslet-LeBeau era to the Marvin Lewis era. To me it's about continual upgrading where it makes sense. Pelfrey was the kicker during those lean years. He was pretty reliable but didn't have the powerful leg for long kickoffs or long FGs.

They drafted Neil Rackers who possessed a strong leg but lacked accuracy. In comes Shane Graham who stabilized the position and special teams after Rackers. But now I feel like he has slipped into the Doug Pelfrey zone.

Now it's time to take the position to the next level. At the very least you must make an attempt to access the position and see if they can get better there regardless of past history or personal feelings. If they can do it to Willie Anderson, then there shouldn't be anyone that's untouchable.

You can trace back through most of the position groups and see the same activity. I think it is a good thing and a huge improvement from the way things used to be.

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Whether Nugent is the answer or not, at least they're looking. If nothing else, this keeps Graham from becoming complacent, which can't be a bad thing.

Couldn't agree with you more skyline. Graham's lack of depth on kick-offs puts the Bengals behind the eight-ball. Although he made his share of field goals, I honestly do not remember a clutch kick other than perhaps Cleveland this year in OT and he almost missed that one.

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Meh. We can do better than Nugent. I don't care how good he was at Ohio State, he has never been a very good pro kicker.

I agree, go out and get a kicker in the draft. No, you will not be able to measure his heart in big game situations but we know Shayne Graham heart is pumping straight kool aid. Nugent is not the answer at all, he was damn good at Ohio State but hey that was then and this is now.

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Meh. We can do better than Nugent. I don't care how good he was at Ohio State, he has never been a very good pro kicker.

I agree, go out and get a kicker in the draft. No, you will not be able to measure his heart in big game situations but we know Shayne Graham heart is pumping straight kool aid. Nugent is not the answer at all, he was damn good at Ohio State but hey that was then and this is now.

He was solid for New York,Yes he was cut by Tampa but maybe he was still recovering from his injury...It wouldn't hurt to keep Nugent around and then Draft a kicker in the 6th or 7th round and let them compete for the spot.

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F*ck it. Just draft the best kicker in the 5th or whatever it takes and move on. They did that with Huber last year and I haven't heard anyone saying how we messed up because we didn't take (name your player) instead of Huber. I loved Nugent with the Buckeyes, but he just hasn't been that kicker since coming into the league, so I won't hold any delusions until he can prove otherwise.

If the coaches think he's got it and sign him, then so be it, but I still would rather go the way of the draft.

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I don't pretend to understand the uncapped year stuff but unless they can get a veteran guy, I could see them letting Graham go strictly for economic reasons. Especially if they move up in the draft or make a play for someone like Brandon Marshall. There are options available at kicker if necessary.

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