Cards sign Nugent, put Ware on IR
Posted by on December 16, 2009 – 11:15 amAs expected, the Cardinals signed kicker Mike Nugent today. Nugent was with the Buccaneers earlier this season and spent most of his career with the Jets, where he was teammates with current Cards punter Ben Graham. Nugent made just two field goals in six tries in Tampa, not a good way to keep a job. He’s been around 80 percent in his career before that though, and this will give Neil Rackers a chance to shut it down and rest his problem groin.
The corresponding roster move was a tough one, though. Safety Matt Ware, who hurt his knee against the 49ers, apparently won’t be able to come back as soon as the Cards had hoped. So Ware was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. There is now some pressure on rookie safety Rashad Johnson to step up his play. UPDATE: Ware just said he won’t be needing surgery, but the timing was such that the Cards — who needed the roster spot for the kicker — couldn’t afford to carry him on the active roster. These are the tough decisions teams must make this time of year.
Tags: Ben Graham, Matt Ware, Mike Nugent, Neil Rackers, Rashad Johnson
Posted in Blog | 6 Comments »
By Chris on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
Thats a bummer for Ware. He was playing well and was allwoing Wilson to be a true menace. We’re behind you Rashad, fill those big shoes!
Rackers- Dont take too long. You’re the best player out there!
By Dave on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
OK Rashad! Time to shine buddy! Time to Shine!
You can do it!
By Dean Beckman on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
Darren, any idea why they went with Nugent over Shaun Suisham? Suisham was 18-for-21 with a long of 48 this year. That’s certainly more impressive than Nugent’s 2-for-6. Suisham’s career percentage is also just slightly higher. Was it solely because of his experience playing with Ben Graham?
By darrenurban on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
Dean —
Playing with Graham helped. I don’t know it if was the main reason.
By kauaicardsfan on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
Darren,
i just read this on NFL.com regarding the Seahawks and 49’ers. Singletary told the players if they rough them up ( seahawks) they wouldnt respond. I’m wondering if it was the same message he told his players when they played the cards on Monday Nite?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81503d15&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
I know it doesnt make a difference now but I think that was the 49’ers thinking going into Monday nights game and we didnt match the intensity + sloppy play.
Like in a fight, sometimes all it takes is 1 lucky shot to knock your opponent out. We took 7 ( turnovers) to the head which finally put us away.
Blow for Blow we are a better team, but that’s what we didnt do, match them blow for blow:(
By Eazy E on Dec 17, 2009 | Reply
Oh Lord Know!!! Shaun Suisham missed a huge fg for washington against New Orleans that would have most likely ended their perfect season, and it was 23 yards! He’s an accurate kicker but you can’t miss that.