Getting To Know Arizona Cardinals Kicker Jay Feely
by Andrew602 on Apr 7, 2010 1:02 PM MDT
in NFL Offseason/Free Agency
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PrintLast Friday, the Arizona Cardinals came to terms on a two-year contract with free agent kicker Jay Feely. We talked about the signing then and the impact it would have on the team, but we haven't discussed very much about Feely. I figured now would be a good time to get to know his career thus far.
Feely was signed as a rookie by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. That year he was a consensus all-rookie selection, making 29 of 37 field goals. That same year, Feely converted the longest field goal of his career - 55-yards - against none other then the Cardinals. Feely remained in Atlanta through the 2004 season, where he was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts in the playoffs.
| Jay Feely | FG Attempts | FG Made | FG % | Long |
| Career Stats | 231 | 283 | 81.6 | 55 |
The Giants signed Feely to a three year contract the following season, where he recorded the best field goal percentages for any Giants' kicker in a two year span(83% and 85%). Unfortunately, Feely botched three game-winning attempts to beat the Seahawks in 2005, and that can be blamed as the primary reason he was released in the 2007 offseason. The Dolphins signed Feely that offseason to a three year contract. During his first season in Miami, Feely experienced the best year of his career, missing only two field goal attempts and setting the franchise record for field goal percentage(91.3%). Feely ended the 2007 season on a 164-extra-point-made-streak, and he also compiled five onside kick recoveries. However, when Bill Parcells arrived in 2008, Feely was released during the offseason.
That offseason, Feely was signed by the Chiefs but was released the next day. He didn't find a home until the Jets needed a kicker for insurance purposes after Mike Nugent struggled from injuries. Feely played in New York for the remainder of the 2008 and 2009 seasons. While there, Feely set a franchise record of 24 straight field goals made. He also revamped his workout regimen, adding upper body mass to avoid injuries.
We all know the rest - Feely was unexpectedly signed by the Cardinals last Friday. I wanted a little more information on him so I also spoke with lead writer of Gang Green Nation - John B - who provided his own thoughts:
Feely's pretty accurate. He was signed before Week 2 in 2008 to temporarily replace Mike Nugent. He performed so well that Nugent never saw the field again. Feely set the franchise record for most consecutive made kicks. One caveat are the kicks he did miss ended up being costly ones. His streak ended in an overtime loss to the Bills. He missed a makable try and had one blocked in a last minute loss to the Falcons, and he missed a pair in the AFC Championship Game. His leg on kickoffs isn't that big, but he does like to mix it up in coverage. He's definitely not afraid of contact.
Feely also made a game-winning field goal against the Patriots in 2008 in a win that landed the Jets in first place in the division. He's hit or miss and in all honesty, he sounds like a similar version of Neil Rackers. As they say - change is good. Maybe a change for both Feely and the Cardinals will help. What are your thoughts on Jay Feely?
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If Feely was making 80-85% of his kicks playing in NY, in a nasty stadium for kicking or passing, and 93% in Miami that makes me very comfortable. He may have missed some clutch kicks but his record in the clutch is far superior to Rackers (see Sando’s ESPN blog for comparison). The only concern I have is the strength of his leg on kick offs. Puzzling why Miami released him after that performance in 2007.
I think he wasn't a Parcells guy
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Here's the thing...
I’m reading everybody’s concerns about his ability to convert clutch kicks. Honestly, I’m not worried and I think this was a terrific pick up. You have to understand that we aren’t going to pick up a kicker through free agency that never misses clutch kicks. If a kicker makes every game winner they’ve ever attempted, a la Adam Vinatieri during Pats’ dominance, they’re aren’t going to be available as a free agent. The reason these guys are released or are available is typically because they had a rough timeand botched a few kicks. It’s the lay of the land as far as kickers are concerned.
With Feely, I’ve always associated his name with being a pretty quality kicker. Sure, he doesn’t have that booming leg that is going to give you a 56-yard game winner. Still, he’s going to make most of his kicks and rarely has a bad game where he does miss game-winners. He’s made some pressure kicks throughout his career. He’s also missed a few. Overall, his career has been forged with record breaking seasons and quality, consistent play. His misses have stood out and he’s well traveled. Regardless, he’s played well for every team and I’m happy to have him in the Nest.
He also has a great personality
And I think throwing him in the locker room only helps. He also brings some of the intangibles that Rackers did(onside kicks, kick coverage).
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I'm not too worried here
He’ll do. Urb’s note on why he wears gloves was interesting — to recover onside kicks and catch trick passes. Sounds like our kind of guy, right?
I think the only time we’re going to miss Rackers will be on kick-offs. Not the coverage, but the placement. Man had it down to a science.
Agreed
Rackers recovered one of his own onside kicks! I mean, the man was a beast on kick-offs. Still, I persoally think we may have gotten a more accurate, and possibly more of a clutch kicker, while not sacrificing too much on kick-offs. Feely seems like the crazy-fun, “I’ll do whatever you need me to” kind of guy that I love to have in that spot. Like Andrew said, his personality is also going to help in the locker room and I’m all for adding as much quality locker room presence as possible.
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