FanPost

Mike Nugent or Quinn Sharp. Is it time for the Bengals to switch kickers?

It’s pretty much assumed that Mike Nugent is penciled in as the Bengals’ kicker, and Quinn Sharp is performing his annual role of hanging around camp just in case Nugent gets injured (again).

But is it time to get out the eraser, and write in another name at place-kicker?

The Argument for Mike Nugent:

+ He’s local (Centerville, OH). Hey, nothing wrong with rooting for a local kid who was raised a Bengals’ fan.

+ He’s entrenched as the starter. He’s not performed horribly enough that people are screaming for him to be replaced.

+ He can hit from 50+ yards (is 6 for 10 from 50+ as a Bengal, and 9 for 19 for his career).

+ He was great in college, a decade ago, twice being named an All-American.

The Argument against Mike Nugent:

+ His FG% has dropped every season as a Bengal: 86.8%, 82.6%, 81.8%

+ He is injury-prone for a kicker. Missed most of 2008, parts of 2009, and a chunk of 2012.

+ He’s older. While 32 isn’t ancient for a kicker, for an injury prone kicker who is losing accuracy it is.

+ He has only twice topped 83% FG accuracy in a 9 year career (2006, 2011)

+ His kickoffs don’t frequently lead to touchbacks, but are often returned.

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The Argument for Quinn Sharp:

+ He is younger (24 vs 32)

+ He is better at kickoffs (led the NCAA is # of touchbacks all 4 years he was in college)

+ He can double as a punter if Huber gets hurt again (punted all 4 years in college, averaging about 46 yards per)

+ He was a prolific kicker in college (led the NCAA is FGA’s and FGM’s as a senior)

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In the only numerical comparison that can be made, here is how they fared their last 2 years in college.

I have to use last 2 years, because Sharp was a Punter only as a Freshman & Sophomore.

Keep in mind that Nugent’s starts are over a decade old.

Nugent: 68 for 68 (100%) Extra Points [was 97.8% for his career]

Sharp: 151 for 152 (99.3%) Extra Points

Nugent: 40 for 46 (87.0%) Field Goals [was 81.8% for his career]

Sharp: 50 for 59 (84.7%) Field Goals


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The fact that Sharp isn’t kicking in the pre-season games seems to indicate that Marvin Lewis wants to stick with his veteran kicker, and keep the status quo. Perhaps keeping Sharp on speed-dial (ala Chris Crocker) when Nugent breaks down again. But at some point they need to fish or cut bait with Sharp. An argument can be made that perhaps a change would not be detrimental to the team, but even beneficial.

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This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.