New York Jets placekicker Nick Folk is up for free agency this offseason, and the Jets are taking no chances at losing him without first finding a replacement. Rex Ryan and the Jets have found some potential competition for Folk in UFL standout Nick Novak, signing the former Florida Tusker to their roster this week.

Folk had a largely up-and-down season in 2010, and even if he does re-sign with the Jets, he can certainly expect to have to fight to retain his starting position now that Novak is in the mix. Novak made 15 of 18 field goals last season with the Tuskers, earning the UFL’s special teams MVP award for his golden foot. He’s been on several different NFL teams since his entry into the pros in 2005, spending time with the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers before last year took him to the UFL.

Now that Novak has signed a contract with the Jets, it’s becoming less and less likely that Nick Folk will return to the field in green and white next season. Still, Folk can’t be counted out of contention just yet, leaving the competition on special teams to heat up this offseason in the meantime.

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