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 Sunday, December 12
Husted feels heat from missed kicks
 
Associated Press

 ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Ten days after surviving a threat to his job security, Oakland Raiders kicker Michael Husted again is under scrutiny after missing two field goals in a 21-14 loss at Tennessee.

Michael Husted
Husted
Husted was wide left on a 32-yard attempt and was short on an attempt that was partially blocked Thursday night as the Raiders (6-7) were virtually eliminated from playoff contention. Husted is 20-for-31 on field goals this season.

"I am going to sit down and grab Michael and talk to him. It's obviously an area we're concerned about," coach Jon Gruden said Friday. "He had one kick blocked and missed another one he should have made."

Gruden did not say whether the Raiders would consider other kickers, as they did last week following a crucial miss by Husted in the closing minutes of a 37-34 loss to Kansas City. Scott Bentley and Joe Nedney auditioned for the Raiders on Nov. 30.

Kicking has been a weakness for Oakland for the past few seasons. Husted, signed by the Raiders as a free agent from Tampa Bay before this season, had hoped to change that situation.

"Obviously, it's been a frustrating season. I looked forward so much to coming in here and rectifying the kicking game," he said. "Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case this year. Kicks go a little left and a little right and I don't know what to say about it."

Husted said he knows he'll be a focus of Raiders officials during the 10 days of preparations for their next game, against Tampa Bay on Dec. 19, and said he's comfortable with whatever decision they make.

"It's easy to point the finger at me. It's easy to blame the kicker," he said. "It's not in my hands. It's not my decision."

The defeat by the Titans was yet another close loss for the Raiders, whose seven losses have all been by a touchdown or less.

"We could easily have 9 or 10 wins," Gruden said. "Is it maddening to not have a better record? Yes, it is maddening."

Cornerback Charles Woodson said the Raiders "folded" in the fourth quarter against Tennessee and failed to stop the one player -- running back Eddie George -- they focused on throughout their preparations. George ran for 199 yards, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns

"We let one guy beat us. There was one guy we had to stop and we didn't, and that's ridiculous," said Woodson. "It's all about pride now. We can go out there and lie down, or we can go out with some dignity."

 


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