Ficken Signs With Jaguars

By Shawn Carey/Steve Jones Show Producer  –  The wait is finally over for Sam Ficken.  The former Penn State Nittany Lions kicker will join the Jacksonville Jaguars for their training camp.  The team announced on their official Twitter page that Ficken was signed to the team’s 90-man roster. Earlier this year, Ficken worked out for Jacksonville.  Last year, Ficken received off-season chances with Arizona and Kansas City but ultimately was not signed to a deal.

During pre-season, Ficken will go after the starting position with incumbent Jason Myers (Marist).  Myers was good on 26 of his 30 on field goals last season, but missed seven extra points.  Last year, the NFL moved back extra point attempts to the 33-yard line. 

Ficken is now one of three former Penn State stars in Jacksonville.  Wide receiver Allen Robinson achieved Pro Bowl status last season, linebacker Paul Posluszny led the team in tackles and defensive lineman Jared Odrick racked up 5.5 sacks in his debut season with the Jags. 

After an inconsistant start to his Penn State career, Ficken wound up second in Nittany Lions football history in career field goals (54) and first in season field goals (24 in 2014).  Ficken’s highlights while at University Park include game-winning kicks against Wisconsin, in Ireland versus Central Florida and locked up a Pinstripe Bowl win at Yankee Stadium over Boston College in his last Penn State game.