[tps_title]8. Nick Folk, K, 2007[/tps_title]
Nick Folk had a glorious start to his career as the first Cowboys rookie kicker to ever make the Pro Bowl. Unfortunately, injuries cut his time in Dallas short.
Folk’s rookie season was highlighted by a memorable Monday Night Football win over the Buffalo Bills. Dallas overcame five interceptions to come back in the 4th quarter and set Nick up a game-winning field goal from 53 yards out. Folk hit the FG, his career long at that point, but it was nullified by a timeout from Buffalo as they attempted to “ice” the rookie kicker.
No problem; Folk stepped up and hit it again. It was arguably the signature moment of his career.
Nick remained one of the league’s top kickers in 2008, making 91% of his field goals. But what appeared to be a long-term answer at the position was ruined when he developed a hip issue during the 2009 offseason. He had surgery that May and rushed his recovery, and he was never the same.
Folk’s accuracy dropped to 64% in 2009 and he was released in December.
The Jets signed Folk in 2010 and, while rarely as good as those first two years in Dallas, he would hold that job for the next seven seasons.
Nick never made it back to the Pro Bowl but was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week three times during his Jets run. He was one of the league’s top kickers in 2013 at 92% field goal accuracy.
Nick Folk was still playing in the NFL as of last year, playing seven games for the Patriots in a journeyman role. He is currently a free agent but we’ll see how long the 2020 season goes before someone gives the veteran a call.
