Do we bring Sauerbrun to camp?

[Tunescribe]

I don't know what Josh Miller's contract status is, but I was mighty impressed by Sauerbrun's kicking for us. Anyone have a bead on his chances for sticking around?

 

[heathmac]

I would like to see us bring him back but I have a feeling that some team is going to give him some good cash elsewhere.

 

[mtbykr]

I would like to see him in camp. He was stud during his time here, especially for the indy game!

 

[AzPatsFan]

Sauerbrun was a multi probowl punter, before his problems. He has shown that it wasn't a drug induced ability. As a suspendee, he is checked weekly and nothing shows. Meanwhile by his third week back he was kicking lights out.

I would have given him the game ball for the San Diego victory. His punting from his own endzone prevented the Bolts from scoring several TDs with their great field position.

Gostkowski is a rising star and Sauerbrun can be a star punter.Teh Pats ahave found soem league leaders in both KOr and PR and several younger palyers in coverage roles. In shor th the ST have been a complerte rebuild in 206 to maybe the bes tin the league. I'd keep Sauerbrun.

 

[PromisedLand]

Josh Miller has done a very good job for us. He has cap numbers of $1,026,720 in '07 and $1,056,720 in '08. However, only $400,000 remains on his signing bonus, so we could save roughly $1.6M if we cut him. If I understand the rules correctly if we cut him before 6/1/07 the entire $400K would hit the cap in 07; if after 6/1 it would be half in 07 and half in 08.

IMHO Sauerbrun will not be on the market until training camp if we hope to bring him to compete for the job. I think the Pats braintrust needs to look at his performance this season and make a decision whom they would rather have, him or Miller. If they think Sauerbrun is a better punter they need to offer him a market rate contract before 3/1, or he will be gone.

I think Sauerbrun showed he still can be a Pro Bowl punter - his punts were deeper than Josh's and seemed to have better hang time. Josh is also very good at putting the ball inside the 20 - I didn't get a sense of where MS is on that score. But if I were BB I think I would prefer Sauerbrun on the basis that he is younger and probably will perform better than Josh, even though Josh has been one of the better punters in the league. I don't know what the market rate is for punters but if I could get Matt for around what we are paying Josh I would eat the $400K of unamortized signing bonus.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think Sauerbrun showed he still can be a Pro Bowl punter - his punts were deeper than Josh's and seemed to have better hang time. Josh is also very good at putting the ball inside the 20 - I didn't get a sense of where MS is on that score. But if I were BB I think I would prefer Sauerbrun on the basis that he is younger and probably will perform better than Josh, even though Josh has been one of the better punters in the league. I don't know what the market rate is for punters but if I could get Matt for around what we are paying Josh I would eat the $400K of unamortized signing bonus.

My own personal guess is that, unlike last year, where Miller was the only player in camp who had no competition, the Pats will keep Sauerbrun around to give Miller competition. [Of course, much also depends on what happens with Miller's shoulder.] Personally, I have a slight preference for Miller (based on his ability to get the ball down inside the 20), but I can't argue too loudly with Sauerbrun's leg. The only thing better than a kicker with a leg like a mule is a kicker and a punter with a leg like a mule.

 

[Jimke]

I doubt that we will re-sign Sauerbrun. We have two young kickers

who will be playing in NFL Europe. It is more likely that they will

compete against Josh Miller. Miller may be expendable because he

will be 37 when training camp begins.

 

[Fogbuster]

I doubt that we will re-sign Sauerbrun. We have two young kickers

who will be playing in NFL Europe. It is more likely that they will

compete against Josh Miller. Miller may be expendable because he

will be 37 when training camp begins.

Wow!! That old. I didn't realize. If so, I'd go with Saurbrun. He kicked the wee out of the ball in those last two games. Great poise, too.


//

 

[Seymour93]

Josh Miller has done a very good job for us. He has cap numbers of $1,026,720 in '07 and $1,056,720 in '08. However, only $400,000 remains on his signing bonus, so we could save roughly $1.6M if we cut him. If I understand the rules correctly if we cut him before 6/1/07 the entire $400K would hit the cap in 07; if after 6/1 it would be half in 07 and half in 08.

Sauerbrun will want the same amount of $$$$$ or more IMO.

 

[NEPatriot]

That's a great question. I was wondering the same thing. If we don't bring him back, I can see us possibly drafting a punter as Miller started to show some signs of age. If we do draft a punter, I have no problems taking one a little higher than expected to draft a top notch guy.

 

[Isaac]

If I understand the rules correctly if we cut him before 6/1/07 the entire $400K would hit the cap in 07; if after 6/1 it would be half in 07 and half in 08.

They changed that rule so that you can cut at the start of free agency and still spread out the cap hit--that way veterans aren't in limbo for months.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

They changed that rule so that you can cut at the start of free agency and still spread out the cap hit--that way veterans aren't in limbo for months.

They didn't so much change the rule as low exemptions: IIRC, each team is allowed to cut two players before 6/1 and process them as post-6/1 cuts for cap purposes.

Still, it's better than nothing. [Although with Miller's cap hit being just $400K in remaining signing bonus, that won't be a major factor in the decision. And, BTW, Sauerbrun is no spring chicken himself--he just turned 34.]

 

[PromisedLand]

My own personal guess is that, unlike last year, where Miller was the only player in camp who had no competition, the Pats will keep Sauerbrun around to give Miller competition. [Of course, much also depends on what happens with Miller's shoulder.] Personally, I have a slight preference for Miller (based on his ability to get the ball down inside the 20), but I can't argue too loudly with Sauerbrun's leg. The only thing better than a kicker with a leg like a mule is a kicker and a punter with a leg like a mule.

Sure, but my point was that I don't he's going to be around to "keep him around" unless we sign him to a market rate contract with a reasonable signing bonus. Otherwise, some other team will. Why should he come in here for a minimum contract when he can get a s.bonus elsewhere? And why would we pay him a s.bonus if we might just cut him if Miller beats him out?

The only option is to make a decision now. And based on what we saw the past 4 or 5 games and his relative youth, I would try to lock this guy up for 4 or 5 years and cut Miller.

 

[PF1996]

Doesn't this all depend on whether Sauerbrun has gotten over his lust for the Broncos? Whatever's best for the team but Miller really fits the Pats mold. I would be sad to see him go.

 

[nukin]

I like 'em. I hope he sticks around.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

Sauerbrun will want the same amount of $$$$$ or more IMO.

Then based on performance, we give it to him. Where's the arguement?

 

[RayClay]

I'd be happy with either as Miller was a little more clever and sau has a great leg.

It must have been a nightmare, but i thought i saw Ken Walter back punting? Must have been something I ate.:help: :scared:

 

[BelichickFan]

Anyone but Ken. I would assume it'll be Miller but that's only if he's healthy. Then the two young guys can try to impress Pioli in Europe.

I recently watched SB 36 again - and there he was, Ken Walter

 

[TomBrady'sGoat]

I'd like to have a guy who can drop the ball inside the 20. Roid-boy didn't get that aspect of the job done.

 

[Tunescribe]

I'd like to have a guy who can drop the ball inside the 20. Roid-boy didn't get that aspect of the job done.

That's if you're close enough. I like a guy who can boom it 58 yards.