Penn State product Sam Ficken had an eventful weekend, with bad and then good news spread out over a couple of days.
Ficken was released Friday by the New York Jets, after spending the past two seasons with the club. Ficken had a productive 2020 season, making 13-of-15 field goal attempts, including all 12 of his tries inside of 50 yards. He was 1-for-3 from 50-plus yards with a long of 54.
However, Ficken was just 12-of-15 on PATs for the Jets last season.
He apparently had been struggling in camp, according to ESPN’s Rich Cmini.
PK Sam Ficken, who has been struggling in camp, has been waived by the #Jets. They signed PK Matt Ammendola. The game of musical kickers continues.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 31, 2021
Ficken didn’t have to wait long to find another job. He was claimed off waivers Sunday by the Tennessee Titans. So, the 28-year-old will have an opportunity to continue his NFL career if he can impress during the Titans’ camp.
This is from the Titans’ press release:
NASHVILLE – The Titans on Sunday claimed kicker Sam Ficken off waivers.
Ficken, waived on Saturday by the Jets, hit on 32-of-42 field goal attempts in his time with the Jets. He was 13-of-15 for the Jets in 2020, including a perfect 12 of 12 from inside 50 yards, after going 19-of-27 in 2019.
Ficken, who played at Penn State, has 28 games of NFL experience with the Rams (2017-18) and the Jets (2019-20). Over his NFL career, he has connected on 35 of 48 field goal attempts with a career long of 54 yards and is 49 of 56 on extra points.
Also on Sunday, the Titans waived kicker Blake Haubeil while placing tight end Brilley Moore on Injured Reserve.
Haubeil, signed as an undrafted free agent from Ohio State after the 2021 NFL Draft, was 12-of-15 on his field goal attempts over the first four days of training camp.
The Titans also have kicker Tucker McCann on the roster.
Titans claim kicker Sam Ficken + waive kicker Blake Haubeil
Roster Moves 📰 » https://t.co/Klo3Pi7IqQ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 1, 2021
Ficken has been the in the NFL for the past four seasons, the first two with the Los Angeles Rams, followed by two with the Jets. He’s made 35-of-48 field goal attempts in his pro career, as well as 49-of-56 PATs.
Ficken played at Penn State from 2011-14 and made 54-of-75 field goals, along with 109-of-112 PATs.
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