Josh Brown Will Win the Jets Kicking Job
By Alan Schechter
Dec 12, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; St. Louis Rams kicker Josh Brown (3) kicks a field goal during the 2nd half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated St. Louis 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE
We have discussed earlier this offseason about this battle. After two years unchallenged, Nick Folk has competition for the job of kicker, in the form of Josh Brown. Anyone who has watched the Jets knows that Nick Folk has provided the Jets with a lot of thrills, but some definite chills as well.
This is one of the more interesting battles to come this training camp, as we have posted about previously. It’s not only an interesting battle, it’s a battle that the incumbent will not win.
That’s right, Josh Brown will be the Jets kicker when they break training camp.
Turn the page and we will talk about why…
First of all, the Jets are not happy with Nick Folk. All of the nerves that he brings to Jets fans, are the same nerves that he gives the Jets brass. The team is looking for someone else.
No I am not in the room. We can infer this by the Jets actions. As it has been reported, approximately 10 minutes after Josh Brown was released, the Jets put in a phone call to his agent. Ten minutes.
If the Jets were happy with the guy they currently have in the position, would they have made a move that quickly? No way.
Now, let’s talk about the most important trait you want in a field goal kicker. That trait is consistency. You need your guy kicking the field goals to be consistent, and not make you nervous.
Nick Folk’s career has not reflected that consistency. After seasons of 83% and 90% field goal percentages, he fell off the course, with seasons of 64% and then 76% for two years with the Jets. Not the numbers of a guy that makes you feel confident coming in for important field goal attempts.
In contrast, Josh Brown has been quite consistent. A career 80% field goal kicker, he went from 2006-2010 not kicking for less than 79%. Include 2011, and for the entire stretch he never kicked under 75%.
That is the mark of consistency.
Josh Brown and Nick Folk will battle it out in training camp. The Jets wanted the battle, acquring Brown quickly after he became available.
Brown is the leader following minicamp and OTAs. Brown is a more consistent kicker than Nick Folk, this will come out in training camp, and he will win the job as kicker for the New York Jets.