Novak--Risky WW pickup? (1 Viewer)

[LeadoffMan]

Joe mentions in his breaking news email that "much of kicking is about opportunity." But is opportunity worth anything if you can't kick? He last kicked in 2008 and he was 60% on his attempts--before that was 2006 where he was 50%. I'm thinking I'm staying with Suisham rather than taking the risk to upgrade to a guy who hasn't been good and might not keep his job. Am I missing something here guys? Was he hurt those years? Why hasn't he had a gig since 2008?

Someone mentioned in another post that he kicked in the UFL last year and was special teams MVP--can he now kick?

 

[solorca]

Something tells me that as soon as Hartley is able to come back to the Saints (assuming he isn't put on IR), John Kasay will be a Charger.

 

[craxie]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/13/chargers-select-novak-new-kicker/

Chargers bank on Novak's improvement

In targeting Novak and then choosing him over two more experienced kickers in their quest to replace Nate Kaeding, the Chargers are focusing on what Novak has done since his last official shot in the NFL.

“The last few years I just went back to basics and focused on getting better,” Novak said Tuesday. “I know the stats. The stat sheet doesn’t speak for what I’ve been able to do on the practice field and with all the coaches I’ve worked with.

“What I did in the UFL – I know it’s not the same stage – but my consistency there and what I did in the preseason this year, I feel … so much more consistent.”

Novak has made just 19 of 30 field goal attempts in an NFL career that began in 2005 and has seen him kick in three NFL seasons for three NFL teams (Washington, Kansas City and Arizona).

Last year in the United Football League, Novak made 15 of his 18 attempts [83%], including a league-record 54-yarder, and was named the league’s special teams MVP. He spent the 2011 preseason with the New York Jets, where he made both of his field goal attempts, before being released Aug. 30.

. . .

While veterans Shayne Graham (86 percent field goal percentage over 10 NFL seasons) and Dave Rayner (73.3 percent over five NFL seasons) also kicked Tuesday at Chargers Park, it was Novak who won the job with what several sources said was a magnificent performance.

 

[PRE42]

if you can grab Novak as your number 2 kicker then its worth a stash.

 

[Stryker]

I picked him up and dropped Brown from stl. Feel kinda worried, but the Chargers will have mire opportunities than the Rams.

 

[FGITLOTR]

Joe mentions in his breaking news email that "much of kicking is about opportunity." But is opportunity worth anything if you can't kick? He last kicked in 2008 and he was 60% on his attempts--before that was 2006 where he was 50%. I'm thinking I'm staying with Suisham rather than taking the risk to upgrade to a guy who hasn't been good and might not keep his job. Am I missing something here guys? Was he hurt those years? Why hasn't he had a gig since 2008?Someone mentioned in another post that he kicked in the UFL last year and was special teams MVP--can he now kick?

I'm in the same boat, but feel that Suisham is safer and Pitt should still be a decent offense. For all we know, Novak could lose his job after a bad week or two.

 

[Jason Wood]

I find it hard to believe Novak is the best option for anyone looking to replace Kaeding.

 

[display name]

I don't really see the risk, here. If he doesn't work out or gets cut, just pick up another kicker. There are usually plenty available in any given league.

I do see upside, though. He is kicking for a team that should give him plenty of opportunity to put up points.

If you have to pay per transaction or have severe transaction restrictions, maybe go another direction.

I chose Novak over Akers this week. I have to go with Joe's take on this one: for kickers, it is all about opportunity, and that makes Novak intriguing.

Edit to add: I was in the market for a kicker because I had too many Steelers on my team and it burned me last week (dropped Suisham). I am of the opinion that you should always be scouring the waiver wire for kicker value. That is how I landed Akers last year.

 

[davearm]

I chose Novak over Akers this week. I have to go with Joe's take on this one: for kickers, it is all about opportunity, and that makes Novak intriguing.

Obviously the rub is, the opportunity to kick FGs is what matters most, and the most explosive/productive offense doesn't necessarily yield the most FG attempts.

 

[Chase Stuart]

He missed four field goals in '06, including one from 50+ yards. I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[steelwind]

Shayne Graham was a fine pickup last year for New England when Gostkowski went down. In 7 regular season games (weeks 10 - 16) he scored 63 points for an average of 9 kicker points per week. And now in 2011 Shayne Graham isn't kicking for any NFL team.

It's about opportunity. You don't have to own a Janikowski, Vineteiri or Crosby leg. You just have to play on the right team.

 

[two_dollars]

It's a kicker..

 

[steelwind]

It's a kicker..

The Kicker position may not be the most glamorous or exciting position in football. And often I hear others say the exact same thing as you "It's a kicker, come on man". And alot of experts who take questions or hold live chat sessions make fun of kicker questions. But take, for example, Shayne Graham. Last year he averaged 9 points per game when he took over for Gostkowski. In my league, 9 points is equivalent to 60 yards + a TD. Those are WR2 stats. To me, a Kicker position is a spot that definitely needs the same attention that other skill position players have.

 

[Peter Lemonjello]

if you can grab Novak as your number 2 kicker then its worth a stash.

Is this a start 2 kicker league?

 

[gsmayes]

I dropped Suisham to add Novak in both my leagues. If he sucks, I'll pick up someone else. It's not like people are waiting in line to snag Suisham off the waiver wire anyway.

 

[PRE42]

if you can grab Novak as your number 2 kicker then its worth a stash.

Is this a start 2 kicker league?

you can start two kickers in our league but the scoring has changed and most owners do not start two kickers