Any plans of getting a new punter?

[Disco Volante]

I kind of don't want to see Chris Hanson again next year...

 

[ne5patsfan4]

yeah me either...

 

[RobAllan]

Heck... they can keep him and we won't see him. I don't really recall seeing him this year!

 

[Disco Volante]

During the regular season I was able to just deal with it.

But Hanson kicking into the god damn endzone @ our own 45 yard line - giving the Giants the ball on the 20 on the drive that would eventually lead to their first TD of the 4th quarter really hurt us.

 

[DropKick Flutie]

Here is your man
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/owen-tolson?id=2319

 

[eom]

maybe you didn't hear, but randy will also be punting.

 

[NormZauchin]

I kind of don't want to see Chris Hanson again next year...

As great a coach as Bill Belichick is, he has some curious blind spots. The punter position seems to be one. (The backup QB position is another. What would have happened had Brady gone down and Rohan Davey been brought in?) Both Chris Hanson and Ken Walter have had gross punting averages that would embarass a good college punter. If they can't drop the ball inside the 20, they are worthless. Hanson was hardly used during the regular season, but in the SuperBowl, when the Patriots were losing the field position battle, he was of no help. For a coach who strives to get every detail right, I just don't understand going with a noodle leg. It's not as if even the best punter will break the bank.

 

[Fencer]

I'm guessing the draft, since he hasn't had a lot of luck in FA.

Although him fearing a Gostowski choke on that shoulda-been FG attempt was very weird ...

 

[Wotan_the_Wanderer]

I kind of don't want to see Chris Hanson again next year...

Why? Are you looking for a try-out?

 

[Disco Volante]

I’m scheduled to meet with the team on Friday actually.

 

[kas]

I actually didn't hate Ken Walter all that much (the first time, not the second). I don't think having a strong leg is that important - hang time is everything. With some of the amazing athletes returning punts these days, you want to kill their ability to make game changing plays. Sauerbrun didn't have enough hang time, and Hanson still allowed too many returns without many downed inside the 20.

BB has shown a willingness to go with youth and unknown at the kicking position, I think he can find some obscure punter to get the job done.

 

[Mark Morse]

Here is your man
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/owen-tolson?id=2319

Tolson has a 4 year committment to the Military. I don't think he will get out of it! Look for Mike Dragosavich to get selected late.

 

[hwc]

I don't think smart franchises rush right out to pay top dollar in the first days of free agency for a punter!

 

[A.C Vegas]

maybe you didn't hear, but randy will also be punting.

No randy told them to bring in Culpepper to do that

 

[Disco Volante]

I don't think smart franchises rush right out to pay top dollar in the first days of free agency for a punter!

How did you interrupt “Any plans of getting a new punter?” as “Let’s pay top dollar for a punter, now!”

 

[hwc]

How did you interrupt “Any plans of getting a new punter?” as “Let’s pay top dollar for a punter, now!”

The only time we learn about the Pats "plans" is when they actually do something. Since it is unlikely that they would rush out and pay top dollar to sign a new punter in the first days of free agency, it is unlikely that we would learn anything about their plans for a punter (if any) until much later in the offseason. I do not expect Belichick to call up John Clayton and tell him that the Pats are planning to sign a new punter during training camp next July.

 

[OhExaulted1]

I actually didn't hate Ken Walter all that much (the first time, not the second). I don't think having a strong leg is that important - hang time is everything. With some of the amazing athletes returning punts these days, you want to kill their ability to make game changing plays. Sauerbrun didn't have enough hang time, and Hanson still allowed too many returns without many downed inside the 20.

BB has shown a willingness to go with youth and unknown at the kicking position, I think he can find some obscure punter to get the job done.

He was solid as a holder, but I can remember quite a few shanks at innoportune times. Continuity is a good thing (didn't Cassell get yanked from holder duties after a botched play?), but 25 yard shanks to midfeild are worse.

Is Tom Tupa available?

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Tolson has a 4 year committment to the Military. I don't think he will get out of it! Look for Mike Dragosavich to get selected late.

I've been all for drafting Dragonsavich for a while now, he has tremendous size 6'5" and is a good athlete. Plus the Pats would have to hold a new NFL record for the longest combined names for their kickers using the fewest vowels. Seriously, if the Pats want him, they are going to have to use their late 3rd round pick on him, or trade into the top of the 4th round, because he will not last to the Pats 4th rd pick.
\

 

[OhExaulted1]

I've been all for drafting Dragonsavich for a while now, he has tremendous size 6'5" and is a good athlete. Plus the Pats would have to hold a new NFL record for the longest combined names for their kickers using the fewest vowels. Seriously, if the Pats want him, they are going to have to use their late 3rd round pick on him, or trade into the top of the 4th round, because he will not last to the Pats 4th rd pick.
\

I've read about him. That's a guy destined for some nicknames.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

well the FA corps is pretty damn weak: best of the bunch are Mitch Berger, Derrick Frost, Kyle Larson, Matt Turk.

the draft class, i have no idea how punters are rated, so i'll just go by what the "experts" say:
espn.com rates the punters in order: Durant Brooks-Georgia Tech, Kenneth Debauche-Wisconsin,Geoff Price-Notre Dame, Jimmie Kaylor, Colorado St, Brett Kern-Toledo, Andrew Larson-Cal, Jared Armstrong-Purdue, Mike Dragosavich-North Dakota....a little down is Johnny Ayers-BC. Tolsen isnt even ranked by espn.com

nfldraftcountdown has em like this: Brooks, Dragosavich, Larson, Debauce, Owen Tolsen-Army, Benjamin Dato-Fordham, Waylon Prather-San Jose St.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/p/durantbrooks.html
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/p/mikedragosavich.html