Getty ImagesGiven the amount of time we’ve spent discussing them this week, you might think that the Jets spent all of their time figuring our who will play quarterback for them from week to week.
That’s not the case, however. They also spend time watching YouTube videos in search of kicking prospects.
Well, at least one YouTube video of a kicking prospect anyway. Reuters, via the New York Post, reports that the Jets worked out Havard Rugland this week after watching a video the Norwegian made of his kicking prowess. The video features Rugland making 60-yard field goals in addition to a series of trick kicks that are entertaining to watch if not particularly applicable to life as an NFL kicker.
“It went well,” Rugland told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “They tested me on field goals and kickoffs. Obviously you feel a little more pressure here, but I stayed pretty calm.”
Rugland is 27 and has no prior football experience, but he has been working with former NFL kicker Michael Husted in the U.S. to prepare for tryouts with interested teams. The list of Norwegian kickers in the NFL is short but illustrious. Jan Stenerud was born in Norway and is one of only three kickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Channel Finder
Dude that threw shoes at President Bush next in line to get a try out for QB
That is awesome! Being norwegian i hope he gets the job, since it may create more interest for american football over here!!!
Leave it to the Jets to find talent on Youtube. Their scouts certainly can’t find any talent in the draft or FA market.
This is how they really found Mark Sanchez.
Except the video was streamed from Mexico.
That some pretty impressive kicking hopefully it works out for this guy.
Is his next stop San Francisco? Akers can’t stop pushing them left…
The final shot was amazing. I wonder how many times he had to try it to get it. For anyone, who did not watch the video, he punts a ball, then kicks a second ball, and picks off the punted ball in mid-air.
But can he do these things wearing a uniform?
If it is for real, I would grab him as the ultimate directional punter. Some pretty cool stuff.