The Chiefs have yet to contact the agent for free agent kicker Jay Feely but that could certainly change. While Nick Novak and Connor Barth have kicked field goals well in training camp, the Chiefs aren't at ease with the idea of using a kicker without significant NFL experience.
Normally I would choose youth in this scenario but Feely seems like the perfect candidate to step in for several seasons.
4 months ago
primetime 07
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this is one of those situations where herm needs to ask himself whether he wants to choose youth for youth’s sake or to choose the player that will be best for the team. There is no compelling reason to stick with a kicker like barth or novak when feely is available.
by KS on Aug 13, 2008 9:16 AM CDT 0 recs
medlock part 2
Why do the Chiefs want to deal with another possible Justin Medlock situation when they can go out and get a proven commodity like Jay Feely who is coming of his best season and has solid NFL game-time experience. They should be knocking down Feely’s door trying to sign him before another team does. I’m still amazed they spent a 5th round pick on Medlock last year. What a joke! We lost 4 games last season by 5 points or less. Bottom line is that the Chiefs need a solid kicker.
by Faiders blow on
Aug 14, 2008 12:54 PM CDT
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Some Possible Reasons
1) Feely’s groin injury may be significantly impairing his ability to kick, 2) Feely may be demanding too much money, 3) the Chiefs may decide that they’re better off with Barth, or 4) Feely may not be interested in coming here.
Also, just because Medlock was a bust does not automatically mean all rookie kickers will be busts. Rookie Mason Crosby (drafted shortly after Medlock) was an excellent kicker last year (an even more impressive feat when you consider that he was playing in Green Bay, where kickers generally go to die) and he was playing for a 13-3 team in big games. Paranoia that a team should never go with a young player at a particular position because a previous young player at that same position once failed is nothing but counterproductive superstition. Fact is, Medlock failed because he was a mediocre college kicker and a terrible kicker in training camp and the Chiefs chose to ignore that. Barth was an outstanding kicker in college and he’s been performing brilliantly in training camp so there’s every reason to believe he’s capable of performing at least capably even if we don’t sign Feely.
Medlock’s college FG completion percentages freshman through senior year were 77, 75, 76.5, 86.7 (and the senior year percentage was inflated because almost half of his attempts were from under 30 yards…his career FG completion percentage from 30-39 yards was extremely underwhelming). Barth, on the other hand, from freshman to senior year hit 97.2, 52.4, 100, and 86.4. His sophomore season was admittedly bad, but that was a result of an early 3/11 bad patch and he finished the year hitting 8/10 field goals. Every other season he played (going back to high school, where he set the North Carolina HS record for field goals) he was a spectacular kicker and he’s carried that over to training camp.
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
by UCrawford on
Aug 14, 2008 2:23 PM CDT
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is Feely 100%?
I thought I heard he had a groin issue or something, but I could be wrong.
Either way I think if the Chiefs want to wait it out Feely would probably be available toward the end of the preseason so they could make a decision then and not have to give up another roster spot during camp (we already know what Feely can do so why not use that roster spot wherever you need it) but with that said if want the guy, get it done.
http://www.kcchiefsfootball.com/
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Go Chiefs!
by bigknoxy on Aug 13, 2008 9:44 AM CDT 0 recs
They went with a younger guy
Dan Carpenter. Per Tony Sparano, Carpenter outplayed Feely despite the former kicker setting a team record for FG% last season.
by primetime 07 on
Aug 13, 2008 11:45 AM CDT
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Got out-performed, apparently
Plus, run-ins with the Big Tuna. Seems like history during the season would account for more.
“The decision was based purely on numbers, on performance and Carpenter has outperformed him right now. That’s the bottom line,” Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said after the team’s morning practice. “We chart a ton of categories with the kickers and Carpenter has outperformed him.” Feely missed the preseason opener and practice last week because of a groin strain.
by sunny D on Aug 13, 2008 11:43 AM CDT 0 recs
I Think It Had More To Do With Parcells
There haven’t been many successful coaches who’ve been more media-averse than Parcells. And Feely liked to talk to the press a lot (Cam Cameron apparently encouraged it) so I imagine that was as much of a factor as performance. You don’t cut a kicker with a strong leg who hit 90% of his field goals last year because a rookie is doing better in training camp…you do it because you just want the guy gone.
Plus, Feely had a pulled groin and Parcells is historically pretty harsh on kickers who get hurt…especially if those kickers like to talk a lot publicly (e.g. Mike Vanderjagt in Dallas in 2006). I get the impression that Parcells doesn’t think much of kickers and is usually looking for any reason to dump them.
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
by UCrawford on
Aug 13, 2008 12:18 PM CDT
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Particularly
If they weren’t a kicker that the current regime brought in. Some people are just territorial like that…Parcells always came off like that to me. He wants to be surrounded by “his” guys. Which is fair enough, I suppose, since he’s the one in charge, but sometimes it’s a really limiting and self-defeating strategy.
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
by UCrawford on
Aug 13, 2008 12:19 PM CDT
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Agreed
Parcells has almost 0 tolerance for kickers, good or not. I bet you’re spot on with the injury angle. Vanderjagt also had groin issues when he was playing for Parcells in Dallas… maybe he has a stigma now with kickers and injured groins.
Speaking of Van der Jagt Generator, wtf happened to that guy? Last I heard he was trying to play for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL. It’s like he was never the same after blowing that tie against the Steelers in the playoffs. Strange stuff, Maynard. I keep waiting to see him go crazy…. Finkel style. LACES OUT SORGI!!!
by Ochophosphate on
Aug 13, 2008 12:54 PM CDT
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Not A Clue...
I couldn’t really blame Parcells for hating Vanderjagt, though…that guy was a Grade-A pain in the ass. Apparently he whined continually about having to do kickoffs while in Dallas…just didn’t want to do them. And I believe he remains the only teammate that Peyton Manning has ever thrown under the bus, which is saying a lot because Peyton’s been a class act.
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
by UCrawford on
Aug 13, 2008 1:37 PM CDT
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Given that and what primetime 07 said above...
I’d say the Chiefs should not even wait one minute. Go get him. With Herm running the offense, meaning that I was even surprised to hear him admit the other day (and I paraphrase) “of course we’d rather get touchdowns when we can,” I think an elite FG kicker is necessary.
by stlfan on
Aug 14, 2008 6:53 AM CDT
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Damaged goods...
I think there’s just too many teams who need a primo kicker. The fact that the Tuna did nothing to trade Feeley (who’s now moved between several teams the last few seasons) sends one of many red flags my way.
Lots of primo kickers become available in 2009. I say we give either one of these guys a shot in a season that’s not going to matter, and if one of them stick, great. If they don’t, chuck out big money for a big name next year.
by Direckshun on Aug 13, 2008 1:09 PM CDT 0 recs
Feely
Honestly, if the Chiefs sign him I’ll be fine with it, if they don’t I’ll be fine with it. All things considered if Feely wants a relatively large contract, I’d rather they spent the money elsewhere and went with the rookies, but age isn’t as important for kickers as for other positions. A 32-year old kicker with Feely’s resume has likely got another four or five years of good performance left or more (assuming no serious injuries).
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
by UCrawford on
Aug 13, 2008 1:40 PM CDT
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+1
maybe ten years even, not unheard of barring injuries…
by KCFanatic on
Aug 13, 2008 5:52 PM CDT
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Not Sure About That
The guys who last into their 40s are usually the ones who had super-strong legs in their 30s, like Morton Anderson (who hit a 60 yarder). I don’t think Feely’s is that strong.
Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.
by UCrawford on
Aug 13, 2008 6:12 PM CDT
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