Arizona Cardinals’ Jay Feely not afraid of competition

Aug 21, 2013, 10:36 PM | Updated: 10:37 pm

We’ve heard about a lot of competition battles going on at Arizona Cardinals’ camp this year, but they never included the kicker until Wednesday, when the team signed Dan Carpenter to a one-year deal.

But adding Carpenter, who, incidentally, replaced Jay Feely in Miami in 2008, does not faze Arizona’s incumbent kicker.

“I’ve had competition my whole career. There’s competition whether somebody is here or not. You’re always competing against every other kicker in camp and even guys that aren’t in camp,” said Feely when asked about the news Wednesday. “I’ve been there myself, so it doesn’t change anything for me. I’m comfortable with what Coach (Bruce) Arians told me and I’m just going to keep competing. I’m happy with where I’m at right now and the progression to get ready for St. Louis.”

Feely said he did have a recent conversation with the coach, but wouldn’t go into details.

“I’ll keep that between ourselves, but we had a talk and I’m comfortable with that. I’m excited to keep competing and getting better and being ready for this team for week one.”

Feely has been with the Cardinals since 2010 and had no problem listing his stats and his successes when asked about previously losing his job to the young kicker in Miami.

“I think there was a lot more to do with it than percentages and my performance on the field. I’m proud of my performance over the last four years,” said the veteran kicker, who ranks 16th in the NFL in all-time field goal percentage with a mark of 82.6 percent. “I’m happy with how I performed over the last few years of my career and I’m happy with my training camp so far. In the last week-and-a-half, I’m 24-for-25 in team and made a 57-yarder yesterday.”

Feely reiterated that he understands how this business works and he didn’t seem surprised that the team was possibly looking at another kicker.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that the job of management is always to get better and to try to find someone who is better than who you have on the roster, and your job as a player is to prove to them that you’re the best option.”

The 37-year-old has connected at an 82.6 percent clip in his 13-year career and has been reliable for Arizona, hitting 25-of-28 field goal attempts in 2012. But the questions started coming after Feely struggled in the preseason opener in Green Bay and continued after he missed a 30-yarder in last Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. After the game, Arians called the miss “unacceptable.”

“The miss was dumb. It wasn’t a technical thing; I should’ve taken a delay of game and waited and not rushed it. I know better than that, I’ve done that probably ten times in my career,” said Feely when asked if the miss was just one hiccup. “I’ve felt real comfortable with how I’ve progressed every day in training camp up to this point. Over the last week and a half, kicked the ball great and kicked off great in the game and I’m happy with where I’m at.”

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald begins his route as Javier Arenas defends during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Stepfan Taylor runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Kerry Taylor can't reach an over-thrown pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Patrick Peterson runs with the ball while Javier Arenas trails and a penalty flag is on the ground during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer directs the offense during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Andre Ellington finds the Carson Palmer pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald makes a reception as Javier Arenas defends during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer received the snap while running back Andre Ellington stands next to him during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Ryan Williams (back) watches with receiver Larry Fitzgerald during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Rashard Mendenhall catches a pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) The Cardinals prepare to snap the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Offensive lineman Eric Winston prepares to block while linebacker Zack Nash applies pressure during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Ryan Lindley rolls out during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Kerry Taylor makes a catch in fron of Patrick Peterson during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end D.C. Jefferson makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Alfonso Smith leaps to make a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Charles Hawkins leaps to make a catch in front of Ronnie Yell during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Running back Andre Ellington runs with the ball during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Jim Dray makes a reception during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Offensive Coordinator Harold Goodwin shows his team the play during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Dan Buckner makes a catch during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linemen Levi Brown (75) and Jonathan Cooper (61) prepare for the snap during Arizona Cardinals training camp on Aug. 19, 2013 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. (Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Dennis Daley #71 of the Tennessee Titans walks off of the field against the Green Bay Packers at La...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to 2-year deal with former Titans OL Dennis Daley

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Dennis Daley on Tuesday, the team announced.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with CB Antonio Hamilton, 2 more

The Cardinals agreed to terms on one-year deals with CB Antonio Hamilton and DL L.J. Collier, the team announced Tuesday.
1 day ago
Monti Ossenfort, new general manager of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team, speaks during a ne...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
1 day ago
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting comb...
Kevin Zimmerman

Could Cardinals trade down and still draft Will Anderson Jr.?

Will Anderson Jr. is the crown jewel of the non-QBs. The Arizona Cardinals might be able to trade down in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick him.
1 day ago
Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins. (Arizona Sports Photo/Jeremy Schnell)...
Arizona Sports

DeAndre Hopkins trade talks heating up, per report

Interested teams in Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins are ramping up, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
1 day ago
Zach Pascal #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals agree to terms with WR Zach Pascal, QB David Blough

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal and QB David Blough on a two- and one-year deal, respectively, the team announced.
2 days ago
Arizona Cardinals’ Jay Feely not afraid of competition