SB Nation - Mike Nugent

Jets Flight Connections 121709

dvdvil — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:20:02 -0000

It is a sad day for the NFL and for the family of Bengals WR Chris Henry.

May he rest in peace.

Jets HC Rex Ryan wasn't ready to make a decision yesterday on the starting QB, but we should find out later today.

The New York Post's Kevin Kernan says that QB Mark Sanchez needs to start.

Filip Bondy of The Daily News says that The Sanchize needs to grow up fast.

Mark Cannizzaro's blog mentions how Rex reacted to LB Bart Scott's foul in Tampa Bay.

Manish Mehta writes about Scott's punishment, RB Shonn Greene's fumbling and Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez on CB Darrelle Revis. A couple of videos are attached.

If you have a subscription to Jets Confidential, here is an article on Revis and LB Calvin Pace.

Greene will learn to protect the football from mentor RB Thomas Jones, praised in this article by G Alan Faneca.

Revis and Jones are two of three AFC East MVPs.

Revis is one of NFL Fanhouse's non-QB MVPs.

The New York Times blog is shocked at the lack of attention towards TJ.

ESPN.com shows us where the top AFC East players are in Pro Bowl voting.

Newyorkjets.com has an article on the defense.

DT Kris Jenkins talks about money and marriage.

More connections after the jump.

Thanks to David Wyatt for this link: jetstwit.com, where I found this article on Bills great Thurman Thomas encouraging FS Kerry Rhodes.

That then made me look into twitter.com and their little known facts about Revis.

K Jay Feely thinks the Colts should play hard tonight.

Foxsports.com says the same ol' Jets will lose on Sunday, although the spread is Jets -6.

Thebiglead.com predicts the Jets will win out but lose the tiebreakers.

We signed a tackle to our practice squad.

Gang Green going up, Big Blue going down.

Thejetsblog.com has D'Brickashaw Ferguson's appearance on SNY's "Jets Extra Point."

Jetnation.com has a 1st Round Mock Draft.

This blogger is excited about the Jets defense.

Northjersey.com remembers Curtis Martin breaking records in the snow five years ago.

Jets team photographer Al Pereira posted his favorite shots of Marty Lyons.

Jonathan Babineaux says sorry, and then we find out about another Falcon's arrest.

Former Bills HC Mike Mularkey is now Falcons OC and taking heat for playcalling.

Two current Jets coaches have ties with Atlanta football - former Falcon Chuck Smith and former assistant Doug Plank.

While former Jet and DB Coach Corwin Brown recently left his job at Notre Dame, former Jets DB Coach Mike MacIntyre got a promotion at San Jose State.

The Arizona Cardinals not only have former Jets P Ben Graham, they also added Jets former first round pick K Mike Nugent.

Titans RB Chris Johnson says that Dolphins WR Ted Ginn changed his mind about racing him.

Meanwhile, QB Vince Young didn't practice for Tennessee.

Neither did Patriots QB Tom Brady.

Your daily reminder: You have until Dec. 21 to send the Jets to the Pro Bowl.

Lastly, here is Chris Henry this preseason for the Bengals:

Bolts & Dolts: Chargers at Cowboys

John (obviousman) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:58:21 -0000

More photos » by Amy Gutierrez - AP

5 days ago: San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) pulls in a touchdown pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. The Chargers won 20-17. (AP Photo/Amy Gutierrez)

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When you factor in things like how the opposing teams have played in the games immediately before or after their showdown with the Chargers, you could make a case that this Cowboys team is the 2nd or 3rd best team the Bolts have faced all year. Although it's December, they're playing much better than they were in the beginning of the season (when the Broncos beat them) and it was going to take a complete game by the coaching staff and players to get a win.

Well, that was about as complete of a game as you can have in the NFL against a legitimate opponent. The defense, similar to the game against the Browns, seemed to play a soft zone in the beginning and end of the game. They struggled to stop any of the Cowboys three star RBs, and yet Dallas was only able to score one meaningful touchdown in the game. I have no idea how Ron Rivera keeps doing it, but he continually keeps points off the board.

The offense is currently unstoppable. It's clicking in a way it never has before, with Philip Rivers playing his best football and Norv Turner calling all the right plays at the right times. It helps when you have 5 guys on the field who are receiving threats on any given play. Even LaDainian Tomlinson, who isn't much of a feature-back these days, seems to become a better player near the goal line and whenever the Chargers need a big run for a first down.

It's a good time to be a Chargers fan. The division crowd, the playoffs and a first round bye are no longer just dreams.

Bolts

Offense

Philip Rivers - 21/32, 272 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT. Whomever is disappointed that Philip didn't have another game with a QB rating of over 130, please leave the room. This was not the Browns and it was not the Chiefs. This was a legitimate NFL defense with very few holes. The pass-rush was there all game, and kept Philip stepping up in the pocket and sometimes running for his life. The CBs played a great game, Mike Jenkins in particular. Rivers and his WRs were just better. Any time you can post a near 90 QB rating against one of the better defenses in the league, count it as a victory.

Vincent Jackson - 7 catches, 120 yds. Well, well, well....somebody's back. In reality, VJ never left. This game wasn't about him breaking out as much as it was the defense going with a different philosophy. In the last few games, the idea was to double Jackson on every play. That left things open for Antonio Gates. This game, the Cowboys did the opposite and VJ came through in a big way. Huge plays by him and Rivers are the reason this game wasn't lost. They kicked the team back into high gear after the injury to DeMarcus Ware.

Antonio Gates - 4 catches, 44 yds, 1 TD. Need a first down on third down? Need a TD from inside the 15 yard line? Go to the guy who is completely and totally uncoverable. Philip didn't need to force passes to him this game, and didn't, but when he needed that outlet to get the team out of a jam Gates was there. He always is.

Malcom Floyd - 3 catches, 40 yds. First off, his catch on the sideline was absolutely ridiculous. Second, Floyd is a Pass-Interference machine....which actually makes sense. His speed is not that great, so it's rare that you see him more than a half-step ahead of his defenders downfield. However, he has a reputation for catching everything and is the king of jump balls. So any CB covering him is close by, and knows that just getting his hands in Floyd's face isn't going to do a thing. Add in the fact that he's skinny (so it always looks like he's the one that got pushed) and he could get PI called against a CB nearly every time if he tried. It's great that Norv has figured this out, and knows there's no risk in throwing it to Floyd one-on-one downfield, and calls it when a big play is necessary.

Offensive Line - 1 sack allowed. Say what you want about the run-blocking. It's at least three times more important to keep Rivers upright and healthy than it is opening holes for LT and Darren Sproles. That was a fierce pass-rush, with lots of blitzing (I miss Phillips' recklessness sometimes), and the offensive line gave Philip just enough time and space to make plays. Even that one sack, you could argue that it happened because Rivers didn't move in the pocket when he should've. Great showing by everyone, and specifically the tackles. I don't know where Scott Mruczkowski and Brandyn Dombrowski fit into the future of the offensive line, but with them and Jeromey Clary and Nick Hardwick it would appear the Bolts have a plethora of talent up front for next year.

Defense

Brandon Siler - 5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss. That's it. Let there be no more doubt in anybody's mind. Brandon Siler is a Player, with a capital P, and has earned the right to start ahead of Kevin Burnett for the rest of the season. He makes the run-defense stronger, gets pressure on the QB when blitzing and is generally a force that can mess up any given play for the offense. Give him the most credit for the goal-line stand (his specialty), and give him credit for being strong in coverage all game as well.

Stephen Cooper - 3 tackles, 2 defended passes, 1 forced fumble. The best game of zone coverage Coop has played all season. I don't really care that he didn't pick off the passes he got his hands on, because I believe most of them were big 3rd down plays. Cooper had an OK game against the run as well, which is why you saw a lot more runs to the outside (away from him and Siler) as time went on.

Special Teams

Mike Scifres - 42.0 average, 2 (of 3) inside opposing 20 yd line. Follow this theory, dreamed up by my wife. With about 10 second left to go in the first half, Scifres came out for his first punt (that's kindof amazing). The punt landed inside the Cowboys' 5 and bounced into the end zone. When the camera showed Mike, he was screaming "Man, what the @#$&!" at somebody. I couldn't tell why, and my wife said "I guess he wanted somebody to down it. You know, for his stats." My response was "Screw his stats, it's the end of the half!" Well, if the following theory is correct, I'm the only idiot.

In the second half, Mike punted twice. Each time it was downed inside the Cowboys' 5 yard line by Kassim Osgood. After each time, Kassim stayed where he downed it, held the ball up and looked back at where the play originated from. I originally thought he was just doing it as a celebration, and to show the refs where he was. My wife was the one who said "I bet he's showing the ball to Scifres." If that's the case, and it makes the most sense, then good job by Mike to get on Kassim. That field position meant the world in the second half. Oh, and....

Kassim Osgood - 2 downed punts inside the Cowboys' 5. You could argue that, between Osgood and Mike Tolbert, the Chargers have two of the ten best special teams players in football. I'd certainly argue that point. The Bolts are going to have big shoes to fill on punt returns next season when Osgood is playing WR somewhere else.

Nate Kaeding - 2/2 FGs, 2/2 XPs. I love that stat that shows up every time he kicks now, the most accurate kicker in the history of the NFL. Kaeding is everything that everybody thought Mike Nugent would be. If you're within 45 yards of the goal post, it's a guaranteed 3 points. Beyond that, you still have a good chance.

Dolts

Offense

There were no offensive Dolts this week.

Defense

Defensive Line - 4.0 YPC allowed, zero sacks. This probably isn't their fault. There just isn't enough talent on the line to dominate anybody anymore. Still, each guy on the line was getting pushed around with ease and I don't believe any of them were demanding anything more than a single blocker. This is a big reason why Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips were held in check as pass-rushers and run-stoppers. The defensive line allowed a lot of easy runs up the gut, and didn't take up the blockers to free up LBs to stop the runs to the outside either. Whether or not they can do it, the Bolts may need the defensive line to play better than that to win any playoff games.

Almost Bolts

Mike Tolbert - Quite a weapon on offense, and quite a hitter on special teams. I'm left scratching my head as to why he didn't carry the ball once all game, but I'm sure Norv has his reasons. Perhaps, like me, he doesn't yet trust him to hold onto the ball in a close game?
LaDainian Tomlinson - Just what we've come to expect from LT. Smart running, timely big plays and a knack for never fumbling the football. Has anyone else noticed that he never loses yardage anymore? A handoff to LT these days is a guaranteed 2 yards or more.
Antonio Cromartie - He's gotta be the best man-to-man CB in the league right now. In man, he was untouchable. In zone, he was good but not great. The Quentin Jammer-Antonio Cromartie tandem is playing at the highest combined level ever right now. That's why you see teams putting their star WRs (like Miles Austin) in the slot, to get away from those guys.
Safeties - Nobody mistook these Safeties for Eric Weddle or Troy Polamalu out there, but the same philosophies were in place and played out. Paul Oliver, Steve Gregory, Kevin Ellison and C.J. Spillman did not allow big plays through the air and prevented big plays on the ground with sound tackling. I personally can't wait until Gregory can slide back down to the Nickel CB spot again and Weddle can start roaming centerfield like always. It's my belief that the run defense, as well as the man-defense on the slot receiver, is a lot better with Gregory down near the line of scrimmage.
Tim Dobbins - The poor man's Brandon Siler. He played well in goal line situations.
Larry English - He got the closest to Tony Romo out of the OLBs. As with most of this season though, English was close but couldn't make the play.

Arizona Cardinals Kicker Neil Rackers Has Tweaked Groin, Team Considering Options

Andrew602 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:31:02 -0000

More photos » by Matt York - AP

It would be in the Cardinals best interests to not rely on a game winning/tying field goal on Sunday. What does that mean? Score early and score a lot.

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Neil Rackers has suffered a tweaked groin in Wednesday's practice. His status has heen updated to questionable on the injury report. The Cardinals are now on the lookout for another option at kicker with the game fast approaching against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Adam Schefter was first to report from Twitter:

"With K Neil Rackers nursing a tweaked groin, Cardinals spending Thanksgiving workout K's, including Mike Nugent and Matt Bryant."

From Mike Sando -

"Neil Rackers has made 11 of 12 field goal attempts this season.

A strained groin has slowed him recently. Looks like the Cardinals are considering their options just in case.

Rackers has not missed a game since the 2005 season...

Free-agent kickers Mike Nugent and Matt Bryant, each of whom has auditioned unsuccessfully in recent weeks, are scheduled to work out for the Cardinals on Thursday, a league source said.

But it is more of a precaution than anything. Rackers is still expected to be healthy enough to kick in Sunday's key game against the Tennessee Titans."

If memory serves me well, Rackers wasn't entirely healthy the '06 season, the same season Rackers may have played his worst football. He missed two potential game winning/tying field goals in as many weeks. Get well Rackers.

Ravens Release Hauschka

Bruce Raffel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:27:51 -0000

More photos » by Amy Sancetta - AP

about 1 month ago: Baltimore Ravens kicker Steven Hauschka (6) watches as he misses a 36-yard field goal during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in Cleveland. Holding for Baltimore is Sam Koch. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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According to the Baltimore Ravens, the team waived placekicker Steven Hauschka Tuesday afternoon. GM Ozzie Newsome said, "We will sign a new kicker by tomorrow's practice."

The Ravens have tried out both Mike Nugent and Billy Cundiff, but are said to like Nugent better, so I am expecting them to sign him by tomorrow. Good luck Steven and hopefully you'll have another chance in the NFL, but not with the Ravens.

NOTE: (Added at 7pm) Here's the entire Press Release from the Ravens PR Dept.:

The Ravens released kicker Steve Hauschka this afternoon, it was announced by general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome.

Here’s a statement from Newsome:

"We entered the season knowing that we would have to go through some growing pains with Steve. That happens with most new kickers in the NFL. But, for where we are as a team today, we need more consistent production from our kicker. Every one of our players has to step up to a Ravens’ level of play, and that was not happening for Steve right now.

"While we do believe Steve will kick successfully in the league eventually, we need better right now. The string of important games coming up that are likely to be close, tough battles and his lack of production are reasons we needed to make this move now. We will sign a new kicker by tomorrow’s practice."

Hauschka met today with Newsome, head coach John Harbaugh and assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg before leaving the team’s facility in Owings Mills.

Accountability? Morris, Dominik show mettle.

Niko Houllis — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 12:39:44 -0000

Message clear to non performers...

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The first few weeks, we heard the questions. "Where is the accountability". Then the losses piled up as did the heat on GM Mark Dominik and Head Coach Raheem Morris. "Morris is too cozy with his players".

It would seem that the gassers Morris ordered first day of camp was not enough to persuade some that he is to be taken seriously. Friday night, the message got clearer for many.

Dexter Jackson, can't return kicks or catch? Gone.

Jeff Jagodzinski? Can't give the details required? Gone.

Mike Nugent missing FGs? Gone.

And now, Gaines Adams, the franchise's compensation for the miserable 2006 season, the 4th overall pick in the 2007 draft, traded for a second round pick from the Chicago Bears.

Truth be told, most fans feel like it was a steal. Adams was expected, even challenged, to produce a double digit sack season which would've require double his efforts. Obviously the pressure was too much to ask of him; Adams went several games without so much as a single stat to show for his challenge.

Some will harp on the fact that we now wasted that #4 pick. This is not news, Adams status has been sealed for some time now, yesterday's news just became official, thats all. In much the same way Dexter Jackson's release was a sea of doom for some, his wasted pick just needed confirming too in the same way Adams had been. Instead, the topic of the conversations this weekend should focus on the Bucs management, and their willingness to make the tough decisions and cut players who are clearly not producing and a burden on the franchise, at the risk of the major backlash its sure to create.

Unlike the releasing of former Offensive Coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, most of these cuts are not exactly an admission of a mistake. All except the OC were the result of poor draft records of the previous administration. Still, the message seems clear to those who are dropping passes, missing tackles, and just poor play overall. Where you were drafted does not matter. How much money you make is of no concern. Dominik and Morris are doing everything BUT use the R word, but in the process are setting up the Bucs with draft picks for next year, when the real rebuilding begins.

Feelying Good, Jay Ties Jets Record

David_Wyatt — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:40:05 -0000

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

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Lost in all the disappointment last night was the work of one man who has been just about as consistent as you could want from the kickers position.He needs one more to pass the all time Jets record for consecutive field goals made, but last night Jets kicker Jay Feely tied Pat Leahy's record of 22 consecutive field goals made.

His signing came right out of left field. Going into the 2008 season, we were all set with Mike Nugent, the disappointment from Ohio State. He hadn't done anything majorly wrong, but when you spend a 2nd round draft choice on a kicker, he is going to have to be close to perfect. Again it's not his fault he was chosen so early, but the bar was set too high.

A lot more after the jump

As a Jets kicker, Mike Nugent made 75 of 92 which is not great but it's not that bad either. The problems arose on his kick-offs, during his first two years with the team, he managed just 3 touch-backs, an area that he improved on considerably in 2007, forcing 9. One quadriceps injury into the 2008 season and he lost his job. Signing with the Tampa Bay Bucs. He was then released after going 2-4 against the RedSkins and is currently looking for work.

Last season Jay Feely made 24 of 28 kicks and registered 7 touch-backs, and kicked a long 55 yarder. This year so far he is 8-8 with a long of 43, with three touch-backs in 5 games. He scraped one in off the post last night, but as long as it goes through, that's all that matters.

If you talk to Jay about superstitions like Dave Hutchinson did, your not likely to get the expected reply:

‘After that Seattle game when I was with the Giants (when he missed three straight potential game-winning field goals in a 2005 loss at Giants Stadium), I wore the exact same socks the next game just to spike superstitions,’’ said Feely, who made one of two the following week in a victory over the Cowboys.

‘‘I feel like I’ve gotten better every year,’’ said Feely, who has improved his kickoffs. ‘‘As you get older, you understand how to control your emotions. You understand what makes you perform the best.

‘‘I know I have to be loose when I’m out there. I have to have fun. So I’m running around like a kid before games, catching punts, saying ‘Hi’ to people. I’ve learned if I’m too tight, I don’t kick my best.

‘‘You go through tough times and if they don’t break you, then you learn from them. I messed up as bad as I could in that Seattle game with the Giants and it didn’t break me, it made me stronger.’’

One thing that Jay has had to do this year, is learn how to adapt to a new holder. The one area that the Jets struggled with during the pre-season was the punting position. Jets went through Punters like Brett Favre does retirement parties. Reggie Hidges, B.J Conley, Ken Parrish, Glenn Pakulak, A.J Trapasso and now Steve Weatherford have all held for Jay who has starter this season off with a bang.

So next Sunday could be the day that Jay Feely passes the record held by Pat Leahy, a kicker who played 18 seasons with the Jets between 1974 and 1991. Leahy set the record over two seasons in 1985 and 1986. The record being set against Denver in a 22-10 victory. A 27 yard chip shot, Jay can only hope to be presented with a kick from within 20 yards.

Leahy was unable to add to the record the following week as the Jets hosted the New Orleans Saints, where he was presented with just one field goal opportunity

Who doesn't love this scene, the later part about Ray Finkle

Ace Ventura - Pet Detective - Ray Finkle's House (via zombieguy619)

(disclaimer: this is by no means meant as a dig at the Dolphins or Dan Marino, it's just one of my favourite moments, and you don't find too many films with parts about kickers)

Five questions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

JasonB — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:19 -0000

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This week I traded 5 questions with Niko over at the Tampa Bay Bucs blog Buc Em. We talk Tampa QBs, the collapse against the Skins, rookie head coach Raheem Morris, the Buc's ownership situation, and which Eagle would Tampa steal?

Check out my answers to his questions over there.

BGN - What's up the Bucs' QB situation? We know Leftwich was benched for Johnson who didn't do much better but is obviously still young. There's Freeman waiting in the wings... Who should we expect to see this Sunday and how much confidence do you have in that guy?

Buc Em - Bucs Head Coach Raheem Morris drafted Josh Freeman to be the Franchise QB of the Buccaneers. He expects him to be a John Elway, McNabb, ETC, the face of the team for a decade. Problem is the Bucs were hoping to sneak in a few wins in the first few weeks, so they wanted to have a QB dual between Luke McCown and Leftwich. In doing so, Both Joshes had critical reps taken away from them. In fact, you could say the Bucs Quarterbacks are ill prepared at this stage of the season because NONE of them really have had a large share of practice reps. Byron Leffwich has obvious mechanical flaws, and the Buffalo Bills exploited them with our starting Center out, and the NY Giants copied that game plan to the point Raheem felt since NO surprise wins were achieved, it was time for a change.

The lack of practice reps with the starting team has hindered the progress of Josh Freeman. Josh Johnson has one year of NFL experience even though its mostly just bench stuff, but he is familiar with offensive coordinator Olsen, who was the QB coach last year. You will see Josh Johnson this week, and the NFL will not see Josh Freeman until either Starting Center Jeff Faine gets back or Freeman is more ready. I expect to see Freeman after the Bye.

I know a lot of Eagles fans were watching the Bucs/Skins game hoping to see a Redskins loss and it looked like that would be what they'd get... but the Bucs seemed to implode. What do you attribute that to?

Tampa Bay came out playing hard, but they left alot of points on the field when then kicker Mike Nugent missed two FGs that would have given the Bucs a 16-0 halftime lead.

Josh Freeman looked like a rookie, and at times looked very indecisive. Then you have some questionable coaching decisions as well, such as kicking the FG on 4th down with 4:00 left instead of going for it , and having a fumble prone back as your 2:00 back. None of these plays cost the Bucs the game though, it was mostly lost on the missed FGs, and the youth and inexperience of the Bucs and their coaching staff. In time, they will learn to close out games like that one.

What are your thoughts on rookie head coach Raheem Morris so far?

I may not be the best person to ask, because I actually predicted his rise back in 2007, telling my friends to look out for Raheem Morris, who did wonders with the Bucs secondary when he came back to Tampa Bay after leaving for Kansas State for a year. Judging by what he did to K States defense the year he was there, and what he did to the Bucs secondary from 06 to 07 when he came back, I felt he was going to be a hot coaching prospect one day.

There are a number of Bucs fans (% we have no idea) who feel Morris and GM Mark Dominik are too young and in over their head, however Mark Dominik has been with the Bucs since 1993, and learned under Rich McKay (who built the Sapp, Brooks, Barber Bucs), Jerry Angelo (who left Tampa to build the Bears into Superbowl shape), and Tim Ruskell (who left the Bucs to build the Seahawks into a Superbowl team too), as well as the last GM Bruce Allen. So Dominik has been trained by and worked with some of the best football minds in the country. Then you have Raheem Morris, who has been with the Bucs since the Superbowl season, and trained under Monte Kiffin, arguably the best defensive coordinator of all time, perhaps next to Phily's own Jim johnson. Seeing as the ownership is going to be paying Jon Gruden AND Bruce Allen for two more seasons for doing nothing, it is doubtful they will do the same with Morris and Dominick. Their jobs are pretty safe; unless of course they go 0-16, and that may be unforgivable.

I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the Bucs' ownership? BGN readers may not know that they also own Manchester United soccer club in the English Premier league and have over a billion dollars in debt. When you combine that with the fact that Tampa has almost twice as much cap space as any other team in the NFL... you have to wonder what is up with the Glazers? Can they afford these teams? Are they still committed to the Bucs?

This situation certainly has not escaped the Tampa fan base. The problem is the same economy that has hit the rest of us has hit the rich as well! The Glazers are required to pay a lot of money on interest payments right now, and that money has them cash strapped. The money coming in from the NFL TV contracts is more than enough to run the football operations of the team, but they do not have the cash to offer cash bonuses, instead they have been offering guaranteed contracts, which is also an attractive incentive for a player. Once the interest payments become more reasonable or gone, I personally am pretty sure they will get back to the business as usual for the bucs. Frustrated fans forget that the Glazers saved football in Tampa by purchasing the team and keeping them here at a time when the Rams, and Browns, Footballs historically relevant franchises, left their respective cities, yet the Bucs stayed in Tampa! Fans also forget that not so long ago the Bucs were in Salary Cap hell because of the unwise spending of former GM Rich McKay. The Bucs have not signed players just for the sake of spending the money, and in fact did go after big name talent this year, losing out to Washington for Albert Haynesworth. And speaking of Washington, Bucs fans also seem to not realize that the Redskins have led the league in Free Agency spending, and have not had much to show for it. A Lower Salary Cap surplus does not always spell out to more wins. The Bucs brought in K2 and Derrick Ward, the Best Tight End and Running Back available in 2009 Free agency. If the previous regime had drafted better, the Bucs would not need to rely on Free Agents so much.

Finally, my standard question... If you could steal an Eagle and add him to the Bucs, who would it be?

Right Now? We would take DeSean Jackson. Local Bucs beat writers had us taking him in the draft, but also warned that he reminded Bucs fans too much of some other WR we took with similar attributes, like Florida WR Jacquez Green. However, the Bucs ended up taking Dexter Jackson from App State, and he is now no longer with the team because he could not play WR nor could he play football in special teams duty. DeSean would be a welcomed addition to the Bucs roster. If we could go back in time and take someone off your roster, we would go back and take Donovan McNabb! Enough said there!

INSIDE THE BUCS Presents: Nugent fully at fault for kicking woes

Niko Houllis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:15:26 -0000

Short of actually making an excuse for Mike Nugent, Raheem Morris brought up the gusty winds that were evident on the one kick as it took over for a moment; yet ultimately was not responsible for a single miss on Sunday. Fox analyst Tim Ryan tried to put the blame on a poor snap, that it messed up Nugent's timing. Yet watching again, you do not see Nugent studder-step. His motion is a constant one, and he follows through perfectly. He just simply misses them, and even the one he made was lucky to get through because it was reportedly deflected at the line; although It is not that apparent he did.

More of this story after the Jump

Mike Nugent did not lose his job soley on his kicking Sunday; he was supposed to replace Matt Bryant who has not been able to make long FG kicks consistently. Instead, Nugent has missed them all, and had the Bucs in the dubious position of being the only NFL team in week 4 that had yet to kick a single FG. The calls for his job were virtually immediate this year, even though his first attempt was blocked, it was not a fault of his own. TE Jeremy Stevens let a Cowboy through the line to block the kick. Yet the play resonated through the memories of Bucs fans for the past month. Similar to how his career started with the New York Jets.

Nugent has an excellent preseason his rookie year, but missed his first FG attempt of the regular season, with the ball not coming anywhere near the posts! Jets fans would never forget this, and cheered when Jay Feely was signed to replace the kicker who injured himself after his first Xtra Point of 2008.

It matters not, as Shane Andrus is the new Bucs kicker, a product of the Indianapolis Colts who needed a kicker while Adam Vinatieri recovered from an injury. He was very solid for the Colts in 2006 to present, with a stint in New York for the Giants. Andrus is 29 years old, so he is not going to have to deal with rookie type problems, although similar to Matt Bryant, getting a kicker so late in his life does not give you more than about 4 years of kicking prime time. Colts fans on our fellow SB Nation blog were very impressed with Andrus, suggesting any team looking for a good kicker should go after him.

The Bucs did.

Giants News: Giants bringing in Matt Bryant for tryout

Jim Schmiedeberg — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:13:17 -0000

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Maybe it's just to put the Fear of Coughlin in his beleaguered kicker, or maybe like most Giants fans, Tom Coughlin has had enough of Lawrence Tynes.

Ralph Vacchiano is reporting that the Giants are going to bring in Matt Bryant for a tryout tomorrow.

Bryant was affectionately nicknamed "The Pawn Star" by my friends and I during his time with the Giants, thanks to his work as a pawn broker prior to playing with them. Bryant went on to play for Tampa, where he kicked a 62-yard field goal against the Eagles, the second longest kick in NFL history.

RV says other kickers are likely to be brought in as well, but no names are known at this point.

Tampa Bay also cut Mike Nugent today, I would think he will also be brought in, since he knows Giants Stadium from his days with the Jets.

K NUGENT RELEASED

Niko Houllis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:20:57 -0000

More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

Going, Going, GONE

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The Buccaneers announced today that they have signed K Shane Andrus. In addition, the team released CB Marcus Hamilton and K Mike Nugent.

Andrus entered the league as a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. He played in one game for the Colts in 2009, handling kickoff duties in their season opener against Jacksonville. Andrus led Indianapolis with 19 points during the 2009 preseason, connecting on 5-of-6 field goal attempts and all four PATs.

Hamilton was signed by Tampa Bay on September 23 and played in one game for the Buccaneers this season. Nugent, who signed with Tampa Bay on March 4, played in each of the first four games in 2009.

I decided to go over to BigBlueStampede and this is a comment I found about our new kicker...

"Andrus has been magnificent in camp and pre-season. If you are reading this and you are NOT a Colts fan (and your favorite team is desperate for a quality kicker), look no further than Shane Andrus. He hasn't missed a kick yet in pre-season, and his kick-offs have been consistently good."

Of course the Colts needed Andrus while Vinatieri was healing.