San Diego kicker Nick Novak.

^{Photo by Dan McLellan}

Nick Novak, a San Diego native who grew up near Mission Valley, will celebrate his 29^th birthday on Saturday by kicking field goals for the San Diego Chargers. His birthday wish is to be playing in the NFLthis season.

“I’ve been spending my savings just to pursue my dream,” says Novak. “To play for any of the 32 teams in the NFL is a privilege. It is not a right and you have to go out and earn it every single day. My goal is go out there each and every day and show that.”

Novak is already making people notice him. He was 2 of 3 in the first preseason game against the Chicago Bears. He had successful kicks of 43 and 48 yards before missing from 41 yards. Novak was also successful with kickoffs after the starters were removed from the game.

Make no mistake, no matter how well Novak does in preseason, Nate Kaeding will remain the Chargers field goal kicker. Despite Kaeding’s poor performance in last season’s playoff loss to the Jets, Kaeding remains the most accurate kicker in NFL history, and will be the Chargers kickerthis season.

Novak understands that reality: “I wish Nate to do his very best this year.”

Still, Novak has something to gain by having good training camp. “For me it’s about training every single day with an NFL team and that I am not at home training by myself,” he says. “That gives me a huge advantage personally when other teams see that I am in camp.”

Novak did not play in the NFL last year but is a three-year veteran. In 2005, Novak made the Washington Redskins roster as an undrafted free agent. In the first game of that season on Monday Night Football he kicked the game-winning extra point against the Dallas Cowboys and then after the following kickoff he made a game-saving tackle.

Novak made the team because John Hall was injured and was later released following Hall’s return mid-season. Novak finished ’05 with the Arizona Cardinals, replacing an injured Neil Rackers. He then returned to Washington in ’06 when Hall was injured again.

On November 25, 2006, Novak completed what Redskins.com holds up as the fourth greatest moment in Redskin history. As time expired on the clock Sean Taylor picked up a blocked Cowboys field goal attempt and returned to the 45-yard line. A personal foul, face mask penalty, advanced the ball to the 30-yard line and allowed for one more play although the clock had expired. Novak hit a 48-yard field goal and the Redskins won 22-19.

In December of that year, Novak was released and then spent the remainder of the season with the Chicago Bears. The Bears then allocated him to NFL Europa where he played for the Cologne Centurions in 2007 in what would be NFL Europa’s final season.

Novak came back to the NFL in 2008 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Early in the season he kicked four field goals in a victory over the Denver Broncos and then was released in October after missing two field goals.

Novak had several workouts with NFL teams in 2009 but they did not generate any opportunities. “Fortunately, I played early on which has allowed me to comfortably train and pursue [getting back in the NFL],” says Novak. Between NFL stints, Novak has had part-time jobs.

In March of 2010, Novak paid to attend the Coach Zauner Free Agent Specialist Combine where he finished first and second in two categories. His performance earned him an invite to this year’s camp.

“For me it is going out there and getting new film,” says Novak. “With me not playing last year, teams have really not seen much tape of me of how I am kicking currently.”

“My goal is not just to get here but to establish myself,” says Novak. “Basically, do what Nate has done for the past 6 or 7 years.” Novak believes that he can accomplish that by emulating Kaeding, Mike Scifres, and David Binn in their approach to the game. “All of those guys bring a work ethic every single day.Working with Coach [Steve] Crosby, one of the best special teams coaches in the league, helps as well.”

“You can’t give up,” adds Novak. “You have to let God do his thing and be patient. Have faith. As long as you do your part and as long as you are prepared, good things will happen to anybody.”

If Novak continues to consistently kick 40-yard field goals, he should earn his birthday wish and be kicking in the NFL this season.