AFC East: Clint Stitser
A nighttime collection of goings on from Thursday, with all four AFC East clubs active either on the practice field, in the front office or the holding center.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo News reporter Rodney McKissic blogs about an interview with safety Donte Whitner, who admits former coach Dick Jauron ran a soft program.
- The Bills signed tackle Ed Wang, a fifth-round draft pick and the NFL's first full-blooded Chinese-American player.
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Mike Berardino writes about defensive end Phillip Merling's arrest for assaulting a pregnant woman, the fourth major arrest for the Dolphins this offseason.
- Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post records Thursday's release of veteran linebacker Reggie Torbor.
- The Patriots announced they've re-signed outside linebacker Derrick Burgess and released receiver Isaiah Stanback and linebacker Bruce Davis.
- Tom E. Curran of Comcast SportsNet New England passes along Bill Belichick's explanation for how joint training-camp workouts with the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints came about.
- ESPNNewYork.com reporter Rich Cimini shares a menagerie of newsy notes from Thursday's open OTA, mentioning rookie cornerback Kyle Wilson's rough day and the release of kicker Clint Stitser.
- New York Daily News reporter Manish Mehta updates the rehab status of nose tackle Kris Jenkins, who plans on being on the field for minicamp June 14.
The New York Jets' biggest weakness this year could be their kicking.
What a kick in the teeth it would be if the Jets' defense remains dominant and their offense improves, but they lose critical games because they can't make a field goal.
By all reports, Nick Folk gave an awful performance at Thursday's open practice. ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini noted Folk missed three straight attempts from about 40 yards away.
Since there aren't official stats at offseason workouts, NewYorkJets.com editor Randy Lange canvassed the reporters in attendance and pegged Folk's day at two conversions on five tries from between 33 and 49 yards.
"If you didn't notice our field goal kicking, we had the guys kick with the other foot today," Jets coach Rex Ryan joked. "That's why they were missing. That was ugly, a little bit concerning.
"I told those guys, 'I'm not the sharpest guy, but if the first nine kicks all went right of the upright, I think you might want to adjust a little bit. I might have to miss left before I miss another one right.' So I tried to explain that to them. I think Nick (Folk) made a few, but the other kid [Clint Stitser] never made any. I don’t think he wants to do that."
Lange had Stitser down for one conversion on four attempts from between 33 and 41 yards.
"I thought they were pulling a gag on me," Ryan said. "It wasn't. I think Nick is going to be fine. The other kid has got to make a couple, or we'll find another kicker."
I'm not sure why Ryan is so sure Folk will come around. The Dallas Cowboys had to cut Folk last year two games before the playoffs. He missed a kick in each of his final six games.
Folk made 18 of his 28 field-goal attempts. His 64.3 percent success rate was third-lowest of anybody with an attempt. He was 6-of-14 from 40 yards and out.
The Jets could be haunted by their decision not to re-sign kicker Jay Feely. Although that move allowed them to sign outside linebacker Jason Taylor under the "final-eight" plan, a reliable kicker is integral on any defensive-oriented team.
Feely scored 122 points last year, third-highest by a Jets kicker. He set a club record with 24 straight field goals.
"Two years ago he's a Pro Bowl kicker, and last year he struggled," Ryan said of Folk. "It is a bit of a risk, but I think the benefits we got [outweigh it]. Jason Taylor is going to be a huge plus for us ... That was a big decision.
"[Folk] definitely has the ability. It's just 'Go out there and get it done.' I think we'd all feel better if he was 100 percent on those practice kicks."
What a kick in the teeth it would be if the Jets' defense remains dominant and their offense improves, but they lose critical games because they can't make a field goal.
By all reports, Nick Folk gave an awful performance at Thursday's open practice. ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini noted Folk missed three straight attempts from about 40 yards away.
Since there aren't official stats at offseason workouts, NewYorkJets.com editor Randy Lange canvassed the reporters in attendance and pegged Folk's day at two conversions on five tries from between 33 and 49 yards.
"If you didn't notice our field goal kicking, we had the guys kick with the other foot today," Jets coach Rex Ryan joked. "That's why they were missing. That was ugly, a little bit concerning.
"I told those guys, 'I'm not the sharpest guy, but if the first nine kicks all went right of the upright, I think you might want to adjust a little bit. I might have to miss left before I miss another one right.' So I tried to explain that to them. I think Nick (Folk) made a few, but the other kid [Clint Stitser] never made any. I don’t think he wants to do that."
Lange had Stitser down for one conversion on four attempts from between 33 and 41 yards.
"I thought they were pulling a gag on me," Ryan said. "It wasn't. I think Nick is going to be fine. The other kid has got to make a couple, or we'll find another kicker."
I'm not sure why Ryan is so sure Folk will come around. The Dallas Cowboys had to cut Folk last year two games before the playoffs. He missed a kick in each of his final six games.
Folk made 18 of his 28 field-goal attempts. His 64.3 percent success rate was third-lowest of anybody with an attempt. He was 6-of-14 from 40 yards and out.
The Jets could be haunted by their decision not to re-sign kicker Jay Feely. Although that move allowed them to sign outside linebacker Jason Taylor under the "final-eight" plan, a reliable kicker is integral on any defensive-oriented team.
Feely scored 122 points last year, third-highest by a Jets kicker. He set a club record with 24 straight field goals.
"Two years ago he's a Pro Bowl kicker, and last year he struggled," Ryan said of Folk. "It is a bit of a risk, but I think the benefits we got [outweigh it]. Jason Taylor is going to be a huge plus for us ... That was a big decision.
"[Folk] definitely has the ability. It's just 'Go out there and get it done.' I think we'd all feel better if he was 100 percent on those practice kicks."
Miami Dolphins
- Miami Herald columnist Armando Salguero reports the Dolphins have been talking to veteran pass-rusher Jason Taylor, who is an unrestricted free agent.
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist Ethan J. Skolnick researches how closely AFC East clubs stick with drafting core positions.
- Buffalo News reporter Allen Wilson wonders if the Donovan McNabb trade will set up the Bills to draft Jimmy Clausen ninth overall.
- Jonah Bronstein of the Niagara Gazette covers the pro day for Niagara University basketball player Tyrone Lewis. The Bills were one of five NFL teams to attend.
- Albert Breer of the Boston Globe takes a look at what kind of impact new defensive lineman Damione Lewis can make for the Patriots.
- Providence Journal columnist Jim Donaldson doesn't get the hullabaloo surrounding Tim Tebow and the Patriots.
- Drew Brees explains why former Chargers teammate LaDainian Tomlinson is in "the perfect place," New York Daily News reporter Rich Cimini writes.
- The Newark Star-Ledger's Manish Mehta tops a notebook with the Jets' signing of kicker Clint Stitser.
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James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
