For kicks, Jets need Folk hero

[Gryphon]

By MARK CANNIZZARO
Last Updated: 2:57 AM, May 15, 2010
Posted: 2:57 AM, May 15, 2010

The Jets made a lot of bold roster moves this offseason, maneuvers they believe will lead them to the Super Bowl.

But the biggest risk they might have taken was one of the quietest personnel decisions of the offseason -- a switch at kicker.

The Jets quietly signed former Cowboys kicker Nick Folk early in the offseason in a move that initially was viewed as insurance in case reliable incumbent Jay Feely signed elsewhere or perhaps as leverage in the Feely negotiations.

But the Jets refused to give Feely the $500,000 raise he sought, so he signed with the Cardinals, leaving Folk as the team's kicker for 2010.

After a strong first two seasons in the NFL, Folk was a mess last season, missing 10 of his 28 field goal attempts before being released by the Cowboys.

"Yeah, I have to prove myself again," Folk told The Post. "But that's something I enjoy. I don't have any problem doing that. Mentally, I'm just as confident as I was my rookie year."

That confidence comes in large part from his work with his personal kicking coach, Chris Sailer, a former UCLA kicker who has started a business coaching kickers.

Folk said his struggles last season stemmed directly from a hip injury he suffered at the end of 2008. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum and was not able to kick for seven months leading into last year.

Within days of being released by the Cowboys, Folk paid Sailer a visit and quickly found the problem.

"As soon as I got released, I trained with him for a day, and after five kicks, he said, 'All right, do this,' and it was fixed," Folk said.

Sailer recalled that January get-together, telling The Post in a phone interview that he is positive Folk will be a star for the Jets despite the pressure of following the popular Feely.

"Nick is exactly the guy you want as far as handling pressure," Sailer said. "With his mentality, he's a guy that's going to thrive on that pressure. I have no doubt he'll have success with the Jets."

 

[gbrittain]

By MARK CANNIZZARO
Last Updated: 2:57 AM, May 15, 2010
Posted: 2:57 AM, May 15, 2010

The Jets made a lot of bold roster moves this offseason, maneuvers they believe will lead them to the Super Bowl.

But the biggest risk they might have taken was one of the quietest personnel decisions of the offseason -- a switch at kicker.

The Jets quietly signed former Cowboys kicker Nick Folk early in the offseason in a move that initially was viewed as insurance in case reliable incumbent Jay Feely signed elsewhere or perhaps as leverage in the Feely negotiations.

But the Jets refused to give Feely the $500,000 raise he sought, so he signed with the Cardinals, leaving Folk as the team's kicker for 2010.

After a strong first two seasons in the NFL, Folk was a mess last season, missing 10 of his 28 field goal attempts before being released by the Cowboys.

"Yeah, I have to prove myself again," Folk told The Post. "But that's something I enjoy. I don't have any problem doing that. Mentally, I'm just as confident as I was my rookie year."

That confidence comes in large part from his work with his personal kicking coach, Chris Sailer, a former UCLA kicker who has started a business coaching kickers.

Folk said his struggles last season stemmed directly from a hip injury he suffered at the end of 2008. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum and was not able to kick for seven months leading into last year.

Within days of being released by the Cowboys, Folk paid Sailer a visit and quickly found the problem.

"As soon as I got released, I trained with him for a day, and after five kicks, he said, 'All right, do this,' and it was fixed," Folk said.

Sailer recalled that January get-together, telling The Post in a phone interview that he is positive Folk will be a star for the Jets despite the pressure of following the popular Feely.

"Nick is exactly the guy you want as far as handling pressure," Sailer said. "With his mentality, he's a guy that's going to thrive on that pressure. I have no doubt he'll have success with the Jets."

Should we start rueing now or later? I really wish Dallas could have found a way to keep him. If Buehler can kick were good if not the rueing could get really loud.

 

[CowboyMike]

:bang2: :bang2: :bang2:

 

[NorthTexan95]

Why didn't Folk go back to his coach before being released? I kinda doubt he's going to return to being the kicker he was. If he does I'll be pissed at Folk for not going to see the guy before his released.

 

[CowboyMike]

Why didn't Folk go back to his coach before being released? I kinda doubt he's going to return to being the kicker he was. If he does I'll be pissed at Folk for not going to see the guy before his released.

Probably for a couple reasons. The guy is an independent coach, runs his own business. Maybe he actually can't see someone like that during the time he's with a team. Or maybe being released flicked a light on for him to get some help.

He stayed pretty adamant that the injury wasn't the problem while he was with us. Maybe he really thought that and didn't think he needed work to correct it.

 

[RCowboyFan]

Should we start rueing now or later? I really wish Dallas could have found a way to keep him. If Buehler can kick were good if not the rueing could get really loud.

Yeah, but I think, if Buehler works, then we save a roster spot. Since Folk would have cost cowboys extra roster spot. I really hope Buehler works.

 

[brymatt94]

:bang2: :bang2: :bang2:

The biggest casualty this offseason.:bang2:

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

That whole "He told me what to do after five kicks and it instantly fixed the problem" thing is a load of crap. Many a kicker has gotten the yips, and then they always say it's fixed until they screw up again, then their confidence only gets worse and worse.

Maybe he'll start kicking well again, maybe not, but just because he said he's suddenly perfect again doesn't make it true, it just makes him a football player who is clearly not going to say "Well I'm not really sure if I can ever kick accurately again, but I guess we'll have to wait and see!"

 

[CalCBFan]

Why didn't Folk go back to his coach before being released? I kinda doubt he's going to return to being the kicker he was. If he does I'll be pissed at Folk for not going to see the guy before his released.

My sentiments exactly!...

 

[bbgun]

That whole "He told me what to do after five kicks and it instantly fixed the problem" thing is a load of crap. Many a kicker has gotten the yips, and then they always say it's fixed until they screw up again, then their confidence only gets worse and worse.

Maybe he'll start kicking well again, maybe not, but just because he said he's suddenly perfect again doesn't make it true, it just makes him a football player who is clearly not going to say "Well I'm not really sure if I can ever kick accurately again, but I guess we'll have to wait and see!"

He's full of ****. Like the Dallas coaches, with tons of game film at their disposal, wouldn't have noticed a change in his stance? He's rationalizing his own ineptitude. Oh, and if he could apologize for throwing McBriar under the bus, that'd be great too.

 

[dadymat]

so at this point of his career he needed someone to tell him how to kick......i dont buy it.....hes a mental case and he will prove it when the pressure is on

 

[Primetime42]

By MARK CANNIZZARO
Last Updated: 2:57 AM, May 15, 2010
Posted: 2:57 AM, May 15, 2010

The Jets made a lot of bold roster moves this offseason, maneuvers they believe will lead them to the Super Bowl.

But the biggest risk they might have taken was one of the quietest personnel decisions of the offseason -- a switch at kicker.

The Jets quietly signed former Cowboys kicker Nick Folk early in the offseason in a move that initially was viewed as insurance in case reliable incumbent Jay Feely signed elsewhere or perhaps as leverage in the Feely negotiations.

But the Jets refused to give Feely the $500,000 raise he sought, so he signed with the Cardinals, leaving Folk as the team's kicker for 2010.

After a strong first two seasons in the NFL, Folk was a mess last season, missing 10 of his 28 field goal attempts before being released by the Cowboys.

"Yeah, I have to prove myself again," Folk told The Post. "But that's something I enjoy. I don't have any problem doing that. Mentally, I'm just as confident as I was my rookie year."

That confidence comes in large part from his work with his personal kicking coach, Chris Sailer, a former UCLA kicker who has started a business coaching kickers.

Folk said his struggles last season stemmed directly from a hip injury he suffered at the end of 2008. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum and was not able to kick for seven months leading into last year.

Within days of being released by the Cowboys, Folk paid Sailer a visit and quickly found the problem.

"As soon as I got released, I trained with him for a day, and after five kicks, he said, 'All right, do this,' and it was fixed," Folk said.

Sailer recalled that January get-together, telling The Post in a phone interview that he is positive Folk will be a star for the Jets despite the pressure of following the popular Feely.

"Nick is exactly the guy you want as far as handling pressure," Sailer said. "With his mentality, he's a guy that's going to thrive on that pressure. I have no doubt he'll have success with the Jets."

Does this mean you'll apologize for publicly blaming Mat McBriar for your ineptitude?

 

[DanManJ]

so at this point of his career he needed someone to tell him how to kick......i dont buy it.....hes a mental case and he will prove it when the pressure is on

Your an Idiot if you think he is a mental case. He is aces up until he has that surgery and even earns the name "the iceman". He has a surgery and he starts missing kicks. Now you saying he is a mental case is just you being a hater and the worst type of fan of this game.

In his career he has thrived under pressure and last year he missed field goals right after having surgery on his hip. Now any smart man would say that that would be the reason. Any hater would call him a mental case.

 

[jobberone]

I got a feeling he WILL be money again. Sucks for us because he was the best kicker I've seen in quite awhile.

 

[fortdick]

Just send Buehler to Folk's kicking coach. Problem solved!

 

[dadymat]

Your an Idiot if you think he is a mental case. He is aces up until he has that surgery and even earns the name "the iceman". He has a surgery and he starts missing kicks. Now you saying he is a mental case is just you being a hater and the worst type of fan of this game.

In his career he has thrived under pressure and last year he missed field goals right after having surgery on his hip. Now any smart man would say that that would be the reason. Any hater would call him a mental case.

you might wanna research my history before you go letting idiocy overflow out of your mouth.....i dont routinely hate on players..only player ive hated on is T.O......so i dont hardly think that makes me "the worst type of fan" just because i speak some truth about a kicker........
your the idiot if you think he isnt having mental problems......yes he was good... now he isnt....why?.....not because of injury..he said himself it wasnt the injury...he blamed it on the holder ...so we switched holders....and he was still a choke ......because its in his head...remember when Vanderjagt was one of the best kickers in the game...?...what happened to him?....
being a kicker is as much mental as it is physical .....so if your precious iceman starts making kicks again then you can call others idiots for calling him out.....until then try defending a player who wasnt cut in the middle of the season by a team who knows him better than me or you

 

[speedkilz88]

I fully expect the guy to be a probowl quality kicker again. I think we should have brought him back if possible.

 

[davidbuehlerfan]

It seems Buehler and Chris Sailer have worked together for at least a few years. According to Sailer's twitter page, http://twitter.com/Chris_Sailer David is currently helping out with some kicking camps.

An old quote:
Kicking Coach Chris Sailer's Comments:
David has the biggest leg in the country and perhaps more talent than anyone! Great prospect! Member of the "TOP 12" 2007!

http://usc.scout.com/a.z?s=15&p=8&c=1&nid=2426272

 

[Wrangler87]

Your an Idiot if you think he is a mental case. He is aces up until he has that surgery and even earns the name "the iceman". He has a surgery and he starts missing kicks. Now you saying he is a mental case is just you being a hater and the worst type of fan of this game.

In his career he has thrived under pressure and last year he missed field goals right after having surgery on his hip. Now any smart man would say that that would be the reason. Any hater would call him a mental case.

It's possible that you may be right. This guy probably makes a ton of money coaching kickers and is probably very good at it. Tells a lot about how good are kicking coaches are. That being said, I don't remember evey kick Folk missed last year, but it seems like a lot of them were in what would be considered non-pressure situations. That just screams mechanics.

 

[Thatkidbob]

I refuse to rue Folk's departure, but damn...

I don't think that the coaching staff did due diligence in letting him go at the end of the season. It wouldve been smart to stick the guy on IR, bring him into training camp this year, and at least give him a chance to compete for the job.

That said, I'm hoping they were right about him.