New York Jets Sign Kicker; Nick Novak
NY Jets kicker Nick Folk just received a little competition. The Jets signed the leading kicker from the UFL, Nick Novak. Our take is that Novak will simply be training camp competition and Folk will be back with the Jets next season.
In 2009 Nick Folk had a disastrous year as he only made 64.3% of his attempts for the Dallas Cowboys. In 2010 he was inconsistent at times but improved to 76.9%. The Jets want him to improve on his accuracy but he did make 82% of his kicks from 49 yards or less. Folk is only 26 year old and he set a career high for field goals made this past season.
The most memorable Nick Folk field goal from 2010 came against the Indianapolis Colts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_1qUi4qZgo
Here is the entire article from NFL.com:
The New York Jets have signed kicker Nick Novak, who led the United Football League in scoring with 69 points in 10 games, according to a league source.
Novak has NFL experience, was the UFL’s special teams player of the year and was coveted by several NFL teams last season. But his movement was hindered by his UFL contract.
Novak, who went 15 of 18 on field-goal attempts, making a long of 54 yards, appeared in regular-season games for three NFL teams — the Washington Redskins (twice), Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals — from 2005-08.
Jets kicker Nick Folk struggled at times during 2010, but he did hit a game-winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Folk was 30-for-39 on field-goal attempts with a long of 56 yards.
It is not unusual for teams to sign additional kickers, usually journeymen, during the offseason who could eventually compete with the incumbent.
Tell us what you think about the New York Jets kicking situation in the Jet Nation fan forum.
Videos
Do you Believe This Stuff? Breaking Down Woody Johnson Claims From The Athletic