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Chandler Catanzaro must be 'disciplined and stay smooth' in Denver

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets kicker Chandler Catanzaro knows he must resist the urge to join the Mile High Club.

The Jets play the Broncos on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, where three of the five longest field goals in NFL history, including the longest, have been kicked.

The thin air at Mile High (altitude 5,280 feet) has made Sports Authority Field a kicker’s park.

Therein lies the trap that Catanzaro, and all visiting kickers, most avoid: the temptation of trying to kick their way into the record book. That hubris almost guarantees a miss.

“That’s a good point,’’ Catanzaro told ESPN.com. “With me, if I try to overkick, if I really go after a ball, that’s where I could start spraying it a little bit. I have to stay disciplined and stay smooth, that’s my big worry.

“If you don’t stick to your fundamentals, I’ll tell you now, you’re not going to hit a good ball. So same process, same routine this week.’’

Catanzaro has never missed in Denver, going 6-for-6 on field goal attempts, including a 59-yarder in a preseason game while playing for the Cardinals last season.

This will be his fourth time playing in Denver, his first as a member of the Jets. In addition to the 59-yarder in a preseason game last season, he made a 34-yarder in a preseason game in 2015. In his one regular season game, Catanzaro nailed kicks of 33 and 48 yards in 2014.

Catanzaro said he has spoken with kickers around the league about kicking in Mile High. They all agree the key is to focus on what you know, not where you are.

“We’re a close group,’’ Catanzaro said. “None of us ever wants to see another kicker miss. You have to trust your routine, wherever you’re kicking.’’

Catanzaro said it is exciting kicking in Denver. The key is not to get overexcited.

“You still have to hit a clean ball, regardless,’’ Catanzaro said. “The ball just carries further. It’s fun kicking there, but you still have to hit a clean ball and be disciplined with your fundamentals.”