Granted, he had an unacceptable performance on SUnday. One more bad game and he should be out. But he's saying all the right things and taking full ownership of his errors. I like the way he is facing the music in the press and not making any excuses. One more bad game and he's out, BUT... I'm pulling for him to bounce back in a big way. I do like his mindset.
the one thing i really hope is that he doesn't get booed at home on Sunday. kicking is very mental, and it'd be ashame if our own fans got in his head. we'll need him to come up big against the Pats, so everyone needs to support him. cheers
We all hope so. Not that I am an expert but, he obviously had some technique errors that caused his problems on Sunday. The kicking style today is much like the golf swing. You have to release the club and swing out to close the face. If you don't you block your shot, which is what happened to Nugent. I think he started trying to steer his shot a bit. I think he will work it out this week in practice. He needs to just have one swing speed and then duplicate it over and over again. Kicking, like golf, is so mental. Both play tricks on your mind.
while i'm on the topic of kicking... the position lends itself to a lot of pressure. the fact that he was drafted in the 2nd round is beyond his control; so he has that added pressure of living up to expectations created by Bradway selecting him so early, compounded by the reason he was drafted: to replace a kicker who cost us a shot at the AFC Championship game. if that's not extra pressure, then i don't know what is. not to mention, he plays in NY/NJ. i was disappointed by him, but we need to be more rational and give the guy a break. let's see if he's resilient enough to clear his mind of Week 1. cheers
Agree with almost all of it, but let us not forget the infamous knee Edwards had Chad take to back us up another 2 yrds instead of being aggressive and trying to make yards. Brien got thrown under the Edwards bus. IMO, he could still be here and we would be no worse for wear.
I was against releasing Doug Brien (like hornet says another casualty of Herm's bus) and really against drafting Nugent, but he is our kicker now and I know he can do better than he did on Sunday. He said the problem is with his technique but he's been in the league a year now and I assume he did nothing but kick all day in training camp, so I sort of find that hard to believe. I don't know what his deal is but I only hope he can straighten out by next week, because leaving 7 points on the field definitely will not cut it against a BB coached team.
oh yea, no doubt, Edwards takes the blame too. but it's heartbreaking when you have two chances to win, and some of that has to fall on the kicker. it almost seems like they drafted Nugent in a fit of panic. reacting to the loss, the way we lost, they pulled the trigger on him early. another team may have very well taken him in R2, but i don't think that matters because it's a premature selection, regardless of who the kicker is. personally, i think Nugent will be OK. but, like i said earlier, i'd be very displeased if he's welcomed by boos and jeers from his own fans. that's the last thing he needs right now. cheers
remember the last kicker to miss to FG under 35 yrds in the same game was Pat Leahy and he had a pretty good career with us
Nugent didn't look good in warmups before the Titans game either. I really think his practice this week and his warmups before the game on sunday will be a good indication as to what type of game he will have. Some people just unfortunately wake up and have a bad day, here's to hoping that this is the case. If it wasn't its good to know this regime has NO ties to him.
Definitely no booing! If he messes up on anything inside of 40 yards and especially 35, I think he will hear it though. Some kickers make the kicks Nugent missed look nearly automatic makes. Vinitari comes to mind among others. Don't get me wrong, I want Nugent to succeed, and work through this thing as a learning experience.
I am not sure how much more can be said on this topic. Simply stated, the kid needs to get it together.
Do you guys really believe he should be cut for having a bad few weeks. Sure, I was as angry as anyone with the way he missed those field goals and I don't think he will do it again. But cut? Why would we cut our second round pick from a year ago. Lets give him a little more time.
On a positive note for Nugent, it does seem like his Kickoffs have gotten much better. A lot of the other games I was watching, both on MNF, the majority of the KOs came down around the 10 or 15. I recall most of his coming closer to the goal line, still not touchbacks, but certainly improved. I hope he gets himself straight this week and just finds out his toe spike on his cleats was an inch long last week and thats why his foot was getting caught up or something. I like him longer term, smart guy, capt as a buckeye, he has all the aspects Mangini looks for if he can straighten out his performance.
Well i agree to a certain degree on this. Yes its only the kids second year and all young players make mistakes. He is just a kicker tho, he has no play book to remember, no tackling drills, no coverage schemes, conditioning, nothing. all this kid does is kick. Is it just me or does this kid look like he has 0 confidence every time hes goes out there and kicks? even on extra points he looks like a deer in headlights. I'm rooting for this kid to succeed, but he is just a kicker and this bullshit with him missing extra points and sub 40 yd feild goals better go away fast or i'll be rooting for his cut by week 3
