Fascinating story about ex-NFL kicker Michael Husted. It talks about how once, when Husted learned the Panthers needed a kicker, he posted workout video of him kicking on his website, and actually got a tryout with the team by doing so. So he created "a business to help professional kickers, punters and long snappers land jobs. It features videos and biographical information on specialists" and is readily accessible by coaches and scouts online. Good idea, uh?



When Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay was injured in 2002, free agent Michael Husted abandoned protocol.

Actually, Husted might have invented a new protocol.

Instead of relying on his agent to contact the Panthers about a tryout, Husted left a message for Carolina special teams coach Scott O'Brien, referring him to mikehusted.com . Husted was in San Diego, but O'Brien was able to look at a recent workout by the kicker on his Web site.

"An hour later, Scott called back and said you're on the red-eye tonight for a workout tomorrow,'' Husted said.

Husted wasn't signed, but an idea was born. The Web workouts got him tryouts with several teams and he wound up kicking in six games for the Kansas City Chiefs that season.

Husted, now retired from the NFL, started a business to help professional kickers, punters and long snappers land jobs. It features videos and biographical information on specialists.

Husted, who walked on at Virginia, spent nine seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay, Oakland, Washington and Kansas City. He has expanded his site and teamed with veteran kicker Doug Brien, who runs kicking.com, to help high school kickers get college scholarships.

They are running combines around the country this summer. They'll host one Saturday at Wingate for junior varsity (players who will be in ninth grade or below in the fall), varsity (rising sophomores and juniors) and college (rising seniors, junior college players and transfers).

"Everybody knows about the blue chippers," Husted said, "but there are a lot more guys out there trying to get into colleges."

A recent NCAA rule change has shortened the contact period between college coaches and prospects. College coaches no longer can attend summer combines, but can use iplayers.net and kicking.com to watch them on the Internet.

"They can watch the workouts at the regionals," Husted said, "and players can add new game film anytime they want."