Jets Fans: Don’t Worry- Be Happy

Jets Fans: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
by Gail Carelli

When asked if he saw the reaction of Jets fans on television after his second round pick in the NFL draft, Mike Nugent replied, "[I]t was like one of those jokes that take a minute for everyone to get. And then they go, ‘Okay, I get it.’ For a minute they looked confused and they didn’t know whether to cheer or boo."
As a Jets fan living in Columbus, Ohio who has been watching Nugent kick for The Ohio State Buckeyes for the past four years, I have advice for my fellow Jets fans back home:  Cheer. Cheer A LOT.

In his final college season, Nugent was named a first-team All-American and won the Lou Groza award as the nation’s best kicker. He hit 24 of 27 field goals and knocked in 30 point-after attempts, for a total of 102 points on the year.

If none of that impresses you enough, how about this: Nugent also led the nation in 50-yard field goals with five (out of six attempts). His career long is 55 yards, which he hit against Oklahoma State last year. He also had 34 touchbacks on 55 kickoffs.

As a lifelong Jets fan, I’ve been following the team from afar, subscribing to my satellite provider’s NFL football package so that I can watch the games every Sunday.  Living in Columbus for the past ten years, I’ve also watched Mike Nugent kick his way into the OSU and NCAA Football record books.  

But was he worth a second round pick? Absolutely.

When John Hall left the Jets for the Redskins after the 2002 season, most of us were too  preoccupied with the departure of Chad Morton and Laveranues Coles to the same team to really notice or care. We had perhaps taken Hall’s kicking talents for granted, but after two years of Doug Brien, we’ve wisened up. Especially after last year’s playoff game against the Steelers. Brien missed two critical attempts (47 and 43 yards) in the final two minutes of regulation in that 20-17 divisional playoff loss.  He was otherwise good for 83% of his FG attempts during the regular season. Which simply isn’t good enough, not for the Jets, and not for the Jets fans.

Mike Nugent is another story entirely. Nugent rarely misses, even in pressure situations. He might only be 5’10" and 180 lbs, but his leg is a cannon. Finally, there’s no need to panic on fourth down when the game is on the line.  Nugent is used to kicking in terrible weather conditions.  He’s used to kicking in high pressure games.  He was an integral part of the 2002 National Champion Buckeyes.  If you still need more convincing, how about some more stats:

Nugent finished his college football career holding or sharing 22 school records, and with his name in the record books for the most points scored and the most points by a kicker at 356; the most field goals at 72; the most consecutive field goals made at 24; the most games with multiple field goals at 20; the most field goals of 50 yards or more at 8; and the best field goal percentage at .818 (72 of 88).

Mike Nugent has the talent, composure and mental toughness to play the game at its highest level, in its toughest town. Move over Adam Vinatieri: there’s a new leg in the AFC East.