Doug Brien (K), NYJ

News: Just a little under four months after he cost the Jets their season, Doug Brien is looking for a new home in the NFL. Brien missed two field goals (47-yards, 43-yards) in the last two minutes of the January 15 playoff game against the Steelers, which led the Jets to look for a replacement kicker in this year's NFL draft. Brien, an 11-year veteran, says that he isn't surprised by the decision. "I'm just disappointed. I really wanted the chance to come back and redeem myself. I feel confident that I would have done that. But it's a tough business, bottom-line oriented, and, in that situation, I didn't get it done."

In this weekend's NFL draft, the Jets used their second-round draft choice to select Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent. Nugent is highly regarded by many experts, and was considered the top kicker in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Views: It is completely understandable why the Jets would let Brien go. Two seasons in a row, the New York Jets were inches toward getting to the "big game." But, keep this in mind: Brien was a great asset for two previous seasons for the Jets. In his lengthy career, Brien has kicked for no less than six different teams. In 2003-2004, 83.6% of Brien's kicks were good. Flat out, Brien does not have the range that he once had. He is an accurate kicker within 30 yards, and pretty good within 40, but beyond that he just isn't someone that can be relied upon.

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[1] by Byron C on 04/26/2005 07:13 am

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Had to be done...those fans would have never let the guy forget about those 2 missed kicks.

He needs to get as far away from NY as possible....say SF?

[2] by coach_patrick on 04/26/2005 07:36 am

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Great!!! This is for sure going to give me nightmares of the famous Linn Elliot and a Chiefs 13-3 season down the drain to the Colts.

Needless to say, Elliott didn't last long either in KC after that.

[3] by quiksilver on 04/26/2005 09:57 am

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Thank god, Brien had his moments and was a decent kicker but yes...those missed kicks in the playoffs simply KILLED the Jets...I am definitely interested to see how the Nugent draft pick turns out

[4] by Matt on 04/26/2005 11:09 am

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I just went over to the New York Jets website to do a little bit of research and found an interesting poll on the site. The question was asked, "Which Jet draft pick will make the biggest rookie impact?" With 64% of the vote, Mike Nugent is currently in the lead.

Here's my question. Is it fair for an 11-year veteran, with a few good seasons under his belt with a team to be cut in favor of a rookie? Obviously, the pressure of the situation got to Brien which caused him to shank that second field goal attempt. What's to say that a rookie wouldn't do that? To me, a rookie would be more likely to do that. Combine that with the fact that Nugent isn't proven as an NFL kicker, and I think you get an interesting question.

[5] by quiksilver on 04/26/2005 01:05 pm

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It is a bit of a risk...but I think it is a high risk high reward type of situation. I mean I understand that people miss kicks but as a kicker kicks like those that Brien missed in the playoffs are the ones you wait for, they define you (you also dread them). If Nugent is in the same situation and missed those kicks you can brush it off as "oh he is a rookie", "oh he is young and developing"...but for Brien those are kicks that are part of the job, and if you don't fulfill that then people will be calling for you head, especially in New York. I think the key is that the Jets were able to address their needs. They got Nugent who is the best kicker prospect out there in the draft, and hopefully he will develop into a solid kicker in the NFL. BUT the thing that sealed the deal was that the Jets were still able to get cornerback Justin Miller, a top projected cb, later in the 2nd round with their other pick. That being said I think it is a tossup between these two who will make the biggest impact, but if Nugent can convert some big kicks he will win the "hearts" of New Yorkers and Jets fans all around