Nick Folk Beats Out Josh Brown For Jets' Kicking Job
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Nick Folk outkicked the competition again.
The New York Jets cut veteran kicker Josh Brown on Monday, giving Folk the job over his good friend.
Brown, signed in May after being released by St. Louis, was 21 for 28 on field goals last season and has been one of the NFL's best kickers during his nine years in the league. Folk, entering his third season with the Jets, was re-signed in March after going 19 for 25 and won a competition for the second straight year after beating out Nick Novak last summer.
The move Monday allows Brown to potentially hook on with another team before the end of the preseason schedule this week.
Brown wished the Jets luck on Twitter and added: "Thanks for one of the most memorable camps in 10 yrs. GREAT GROUP OF GUYS!!"
Both were solid in the preseason, with Folk going 4 for 4 and Brown 3 for 4, but Folk was more consistent throughout training camp. Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said the competition was the best he has ever been around.
The Jets also waived-injured fullback-tight end Josh Baker after he injured his right knee against Carolina on Sunday night. Linebacker Damario Ambrose, running back Jeremy Stewart and wide receivers Stanley Arukwe and Wes Kemp were also waived to get the Jets down to 74 players — one below the maximum.
Baker was a promising player for the Jets, and expected to be a valuable backup this season. He was hurt trying to catch a pass from Mark Sanchez in the end zone, getting popped in the right knee by Josh Norman's helmet. Baker was helped off the field and then carted to the locker room.
The team was still awaiting results from an MRI exam, but agent Howard Shatsky wrote on Twitter that once Baker clears waivers, he'll go on the Jets' injured reserve list.
"Preciate all the jets' love these past two years," Baker wrote on Twitter. "Been a wild ride and nowhere near over for me! Gotta keep pushin."
The Jets are suddenly thin at the tight end position with Dustin Keller injuring a hamstring, but that's not believed to be serious. Jeff Cumberland is recovering from a concussion, while Dedrick Epps had X-rays after the game Sunday on an undisclosed injury. Former rugby player Hayden Smith and rookie Tarren Lloyd are the only healthy players at the position on New York's roster.
Is Folk the right pick? Be heard in the comments below!
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