Nick Novak?

by Schwing on Apr 29, 2010 4:09 PM PDT

The Chargers confirmed the signing of veteran kicker Nick Novak, who has converted 13 of 20 career field goal tries for the Redskins, Cardinals and Chiefs. Starter Nate Kaeding continues to rehab the groin injury he suffered in workouts before the Pro Bowl.

Guess Nate is not doing that well. Competition is also a good thing.

Dang, preseason could not get here quick enough. Slow day(s) in NFL and especially Charger news.

Go Boltz

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My guess is this is injury insurance if Nate doesn't get healthy.

I don’t know if Novak is this kind of guy, but I also wouldn’t be opposed to having a kick-off specialist to help the kick coverage units.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains."
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.

by Zach (maestro876) on Apr 29, 2010 4:15 PM PDT reply actions

Me too

Nate only gets touchbacks when we play in Denver.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Apr 29, 2010 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions

no way

they activate another kicker on game day just for kickoff.

Novak is simply a camp leg, nothing more, nothing less

Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.-Einstein

by cameronm on Apr 29, 2010 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Unless suddenly he really, really rocks

and becomes the next Vinatieri!

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 29, 2010 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions

If I remember right

(and I may not) they were not that happy with his kick offs during his short stay with the Redskins. Pretty crappy FG% for a modern day kicker.

by JeromeB on Apr 29, 2010 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL

Here’s your competition at kicker all you Kaeding haters. I knew it would be someone who obviously sucks more than our guy.

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Apr 29, 2010 8:12 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Kaeding Haters

Are you implying that the hate is unwarranted? Maybe Novak is brought in just to kick in elimination games against the Jets. Since Kaeding seems to lose his friggin mind against NYJ in the post season. Both of which were at the Q. 3 for 9 at home in the post season, come on A.J. you have fired people for less.

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken"- Colonel Sanders

by traceSD on Apr 30, 2010 6:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes, I am outwardly implying that the hate is unwarranted.

Kickers miss field goals. It happens. To think that you can get someone who can make field goals at a higher percentage than Kaeding on your first try is ignorant and ludicrous.

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Apr 30, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

And some kickers miss more feild goals against the JETS!

Not Kaeding hater, but come on Nate! Burn those Jets underoos already!

by Trendsearcher on Apr 30, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you talking about Shayne Graham?

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Apr 30, 2010 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Kickers are like chocolates in a box

You never know what you’re going to get. Or rather, positions with lower physiological barriers to entry are more subject to surprise gifts than players drawn from a smaller potential pool. And the position with the lowest physiological barrier is? That’s one of the two roots of positional value, why kickers and punters are the last guys drafted. (The other root is that some positions affect the game more, but kickers are actually fairly important in that regard, and they’re still down at the bottom.)

I hope you don’t think I’m a Kaeding hater, btw, just because I thought he’d be worth more in trade than on the field. It’s not a knock on a guy to say that some team would give a whole lot more for him than he’s worth here. In fact, you can’t say that about a guy if he’s not worth a lot on some team. But so much of his job is psychological, I can’t help but be suspicious of his ability to get it done in the playoffs next year.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 30, 2010 6:40 AM PDT up reply actions

In fact, I think it’s silly that a player would have the problem with the idea that he has a trade value, unless he is (or thinks he is) a franchise QB. There are 52 guys who will make the final roster in some itty-bitty part because nobody offered them enough value for AJ to hand ‘em over, whatever that amount may be. Okay, if you want Gates you probably have to give up more than Gates is worth, but there’s a point when you’re heaping on the picks where any sane person will take it, and stupider NFL deals have happened. I think that point, in the particular case of Kaeding, isn’t far above his actual value to an okay NFL team in a hotly-contested division.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Apr 30, 2010 6:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes.

At the very least, this should put into perspective to all of the Kaeding haters how good Kaeding really is in this league compared to anyone else we could acquire.

Self-anointed President of the Kenjon Barner fan club.

by CaDuck on Apr 30, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Cort Johnson anyone?

Does Scifres really need competition…
It’s more about rest and not overdoing it in camp.

by riversformvp on May 4, 2010 11:20 AM PDT reply actions

I think they brought in a punter last year

They probably just want to make sure they have someone for Scifres, Binn and Kaeding to play golf with. It also never hurts to be familiar with another punter in case of injury. It’s also just a nice service to get more punters NFL camp experience; like an internship program.

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on May 4, 2010 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I think that thats the real motivation

Not the golf, but having a known commodity to bring in if Nate or Mike goes down. Its a slightly more accurate shot in the dark than just picking up some other teams castoff.

If I agreed with you, we would both be wrong

by Diesel85 on May 5, 2010 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions