That Guy
02-07-2006, 06:35 AM
PUNTERS:
Current Situation:
Tom Tupa is 40 now, and though he may have 4 more years left, recent injury problems mean that competition HAS to be brought in every year until his replacement is found. Tupa is a great directional kicker, though the height on his kicks can sometimes be inconsistant. Punter is not a dire need for the Redskins, but an insurance policy greater than the inconsistant, though very lucky (on rolls and bounces) Derrick Frost is sorely needed. If a replacement is found and Tupa is healthy, Gibbs always has the option to delay a decision with the PUP list or IR if he does not want to waste a roster spot. Though I'd imagine a replacement would mean that Tupa and his salary gets dropped.
Possibilities:
-Free Agency:
Dave Zastudil (Ravens) - Young, cheap, available. Probably wouldn't have any issues with moving 30 miles down the road like rabach of last year. YPP average of 43.5 in 2005, and 41.6 career. At 28 and with 4 years of NFL experience, he should have plenty of seasons (10+) left to go.
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302154
Complete list of all RFA/UFA punters:
http://www.theredzone.org/2006/freeagents/showposition.asp?Position=P
-Draft Day:
John Torp (Colorado) - consistantly good punter, has 5 rushes for 55 yards (inc. a -14) and 1/1 passing for -2 yards. Capable of getting great height on his kicks, though distance isn't quite as flashy as other prospects, it's still very good. Career ypp average of 44.92, with a 45.16 average in 2005. Good Workouts, 1st punter taken, probable 2nd Day pick (mid-late 4th).
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=134010
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/playerDetail.jsp?yr=2005&org=157&player=29
Ryan Plackemeier (Wake Forest), had his team ranked #1 in net punt average (avg ypp - avg punt return yards) at 41.38ypp. He had a 47.24ypp average in 2005 and a lifetime average of 45.26. 2nd Day (mid-late 5th)
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=134010
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/playerDetail.jsp?yr=2005&org=749&player=81
Sam Koch (Nebraska), listed as the 18th best punter on the draft boards even though he averaged 46.51 yards per punt in 2005 (long of 84) and has an average of 44.04ypp lifetime. The Cornhuskers were ranked #2 in net punt average at 39.85. Only a 2 year starter (undrafted).
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=123206
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/playerDetail.jsp?yr=2005&org=463&player=37
Complete list of all available college punters:
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=P&draftyear=2006&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC
-Recommendation:
Call Sam Koch and get him a contract as soon as possible or consider using the late 7th to claim his rights if other choices on the Redskin board look to go undrafted. Cheaper than Tupa and much younger; getting him may not even cost a draft pick.
Current Situation:
Tom Tupa is 40 now, and though he may have 4 more years left, recent injury problems mean that competition HAS to be brought in every year until his replacement is found. Tupa is a great directional kicker, though the height on his kicks can sometimes be inconsistant. Punter is not a dire need for the Redskins, but an insurance policy greater than the inconsistant, though very lucky (on rolls and bounces) Derrick Frost is sorely needed. If a replacement is found and Tupa is healthy, Gibbs always has the option to delay a decision with the PUP list or IR if he does not want to waste a roster spot. Though I'd imagine a replacement would mean that Tupa and his salary gets dropped.
Possibilities:
-Free Agency:
Dave Zastudil (Ravens) - Young, cheap, available. Probably wouldn't have any issues with moving 30 miles down the road like rabach of last year. YPP average of 43.5 in 2005, and 41.6 career. At 28 and with 4 years of NFL experience, he should have plenty of seasons (10+) left to go.
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302154
Complete list of all RFA/UFA punters:
http://www.theredzone.org/2006/freeagents/showposition.asp?Position=P
-Draft Day:
John Torp (Colorado) - consistantly good punter, has 5 rushes for 55 yards (inc. a -14) and 1/1 passing for -2 yards. Capable of getting great height on his kicks, though distance isn't quite as flashy as other prospects, it's still very good. Career ypp average of 44.92, with a 45.16 average in 2005. Good Workouts, 1st punter taken, probable 2nd Day pick (mid-late 4th).
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=134010
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/playerDetail.jsp?yr=2005&org=157&player=29
Ryan Plackemeier (Wake Forest), had his team ranked #1 in net punt average (avg ypp - avg punt return yards) at 41.38ypp. He had a 47.24ypp average in 2005 and a lifetime average of 45.26. 2nd Day (mid-late 5th)
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=134010
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/playerDetail.jsp?yr=2005&org=749&player=81
Sam Koch (Nebraska), listed as the 18th best punter on the draft boards even though he averaged 46.51 yards per punt in 2005 (long of 84) and has an average of 44.04ypp lifetime. The Cornhuskers were ranked #2 in net punt average at 39.85. Only a 2 year starter (undrafted).
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=123206
http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/playerDetail.jsp?yr=2005&org=463&player=37
Complete list of all available college punters:
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=P&draftyear=2006&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC
-Recommendation:
Call Sam Koch and get him a contract as soon as possible or consider using the late 7th to claim his rights if other choices on the Redskin board look to go undrafted. Cheaper than Tupa and much younger; getting him may not even cost a draft pick.