Impressive news, but I don't think anyone questioned his ability to knock down FGs. It's his kickoffs that have been lacking, though I believe he's been improving in that regard from recent reports.
He's going to be a great kicker. All rookie kickers struggle because they're adjusting to a whole new football. And for a rookie, he wasn't that bad last year. The leg strength will improve. He may never have an incredibly strong leg, but it will be strong, and his accuracy is his greatest strength.
Unfortunately, everything Nugent does will be followed by "he was drafted way too high" which may be true, but I believe he will be a very good kicker for the next 10 years.
I think Nugent will be an above-average kicker with a strong leg and trouble kicking in the extreme cold. If he can get consistent enough in the later months, he'll probably make a few Pro Bowls. But I doubt he'll ever justify his draft pick, unfortunately.
I just hope he is a guy we can count on when the game is on the line instead of hoping we haven't lost the game if it comes down to a kick. Last season against the Saints when Mike went in there, I was pretty sure we'd lost, and he hit the kick dead straight but short. When Brien went in there in 2004, after the first kick didn't go, I was pretty sure we were done. I just want to see Mike Nugent come out with a couple second left, down 2 points, and pretty much know we have the game won...and at this point we still cannot be sure. But I believe he can be good, and will be.
It was ridiculous last year with everyone saying he was a bust, Im not saying hes a top 5 kicker now but 1 year is not enough to judge a kicker
Nothing short of at least one high pressure championship winning kick. If he's never in a position to do that, obviously that's not his fault. But it's not his fault we drafted him so high early either.
That report says he made 3 FGs from 40, 32 and 49 yards and attempted a 57 yarder. My reading of it is that the long one missed.
if you talking about a kick where he didnt have to kick over a line or have guys rushing at him then its really not that impressive