Kicker Controversy?

December 9, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Newly signed Cincinnati Bengals kicker Josh Brown (3) kicks the ball off to the Dallas Cowboys at Paul Brown Stadium. Dallas won the game 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati brought in Kicker Josh Brown before week 14 to start in place of Mike Nugent while he is recovering from a right calf injury. Nugent injured his calf during a practice leading up to the week 14 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Brown has been a perfect 6/6 on field goal attempts and 5/5 converting extra points. While Brown was only thought to be a short term solution while Nugent is recovering, could this have turned into an accidental audition for Brown to steal the show, and the starting spot from the Bengals kicker?

Nugent is 19/23 on field goals and a perfect 35/35 on extra points, with a long of 55 yards. He is on a 2.6 million dollar contract and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Cincinnati signed Brown to a one year,  $825,000 contract.

Nugent practiced Thursday but the team won’t declare who will start until this Sunday before they play the Steelers.

One of the main reasons Cincinnati should hold on to Brown, is for his kickoffs. A majority of his kicks in the two games he has played this year for the Bengals have gone for touchbacks.

While Nugent didn’t do anything to lose his starting job, Brown hasn’t given the Bengals coaching staff any reason to give it back. Brown has the hot foot and I think Cincinnati should grant him the starting spot until he shows that he doesn’t deserve it.