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Sam Ficken Signs Contract With New York Jets

Update, September 10: The New York Jets officially announced Ficken’s signing at 3:04 p.m. and the subsequent release of kicker Kaare Vedvik.

Original Story: The New York Jets are expected to sign former Penn State football kicker Sam Ficken, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Ficken was brought in for a workout with the Jets Tuesday along with four other free agent kickers. After impressing coaches and performing well in the practice, he’ll likely make his way onto the team for its week two match-up against the Cleveland Browns.

New York began searching for a new kicker after current kicker Kaare Vedvik missed a 45-yard field goal and an extra point in the team’s 17-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon. He’ll presumably be cut to make room for Ficken.

The former Penn State standout and NFL journeyman has bounced around many teams throughout his professional career, including the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers. Ficken was cut by the Packers just before the season began a few weeks ago.

Although he’s lacked NFL success, Ficken had a great career in Happy Valley. He successfully converted 54 out of his 75 field goal attempts and more than 97 percent of his extra points with the Nittany Lions throughout his four-year career.

Ficken is especially famous for his performance in the Pinstripe Bowl. His 44-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter extended the game against Boston College before he won it with an extra point in overtime. That point gave Penn State its first bowl victory of the post-sanctions era.

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About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

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