Struggling Nugent appreciative of support from coaches, teammates

Despite missing his first extra point of the year and three of his last four field goal attempts, Cincinnati Bengals kicker Mike Nugent wanted nothing more than another chance to swing his right leg in overtime of Sunday’s 27-27 tie against Washington.

“I really wanted it,” Nugent said today before players were free to scatter across the country for their bye week.

“I left four points off the board,” he added. “If those four points are back, we shouldn’t be in overtime and all these guys shouldn’t have to play a fifth quarter. I really wanted it mainly because I needed to make up for past mistakes.”

While the Centerville native put the tie on his own shoulders, he said head coach Marvin Lewis, special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons and all of his teammates have been nothing but supportive.

“Darrin and Marvin are the most supportive people I’ve ever been around,” Nugent said. “When I have a bad game like that, I don’t get beat down. Teammates and all the coaches, everyone was just like ‘Hey, all right. We’re going into overtime. Get out there and win it for us.’ The support system is incredible. Just the way I’m treated is very like ‘Hey, you’re our guy. We know you’re going to make the next one.’”

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