Newman Has Big Cleats to Fill
I’ve spent 35 years writing sports for what passes for a living and I might have to spend another 35 to see a kicker have a better game than Sam Swank had on Oct. 14, 2006. That’s the day Swank nailed one field goal of 51 yards and two of 53 in a 25-23 victory at N.C. State. Think Chuck Amato might have been cursing his luck that night, to give up three field goals from neighboring counties and lose at home by two?
There were two problems with Swank’s career. He pulled a quad that really marred his senior season, and he spoiled all of our expectations of what to expect from a kicker.
Jimmy Newman acquitted himself pretty well as a freshman last season, converting 11 of 14 field-goal attempts from inside 50 yards. He missed all three from beyond to go 11-for-17 for the season. But everything Newman did was compared, and will continue to be compared, against the greatest kicker in school history.
Newman appears to have every bit of Swank’s leg. But what made Swank great was his mental grip on his doubts and fears. In an effort to improve that part of his craft, Newman spent three days this summer working out with Morten Andersen, the man who many consider the greatest kicker in NFL history. Andersen, who holds NFL records for most points and most field goals, certainly has the credentials.
I talked with Newman earlier this week about the experience and have written a piece for the Journal. It’s scheduled to run tomorrow leading into the first practice, scheduled for 7:30 on campus.
Hope you check it out.