Josh Miller cut!

[Seymour93]

Another cost saving move by the team. I do not like it one bit. I can only assume that Miller is hurt and couldn't perform up to his usual standards.

Or perhaps they felt Miller's old legs and complacent attitude was not worth keeping around in expense of a young and hungry player such as Danny Baugher.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Time to start the Sign Brooks Barnard petition!

j/k

Now there's another name to conjure with ...

 

[PatriotsRiot93]

I think he'll be fine. $820,000 a year to kick a ball a few times a week. That's every soccer player's dream. Plus they guy has the NFL retirement fund...I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[GoWhalers]

I don't know if this has been stated earlier in this thread, but I think one of the interesting advantages that Baugher brings over Miller is his physical size.

All reports seem to indicate that Baugher is built like a linebacker -- similar to Todd Sauerbrun, who the Patriots also pursued. In the Belichick school of versatility, having a punter who is strong enough for tackling responsibilities in a certain gap on the field opens up a lot of creative doors for special teams.

The tradeoff, of course, is distance/accuracy/hang time performance between the punters, but imagine if Belichick could overwhelm a lone punt return blocker with two gunners, with Baugher filling the gap responsibility for the relocated player.

 

[PonyExpress]

Or perhaps they felt Miller's old legs and complacent attitude was not worth keeping around in expense of a young and hungry player such as Danny Baugher.

I think you hit the nail on the head. With due respect to Danny Baugher, if the Pats hadn't bungled the Sauerbrun contract, he would be our starting punter right now. Still, it appears that Baugher, though inexperienced, may not be a bad fall-back option. Hopefully the season won't come down to a late punt, like it did in SB 39.

 

[Birdman21]

I don't know if this has been stated earlier in this thread, but I think one of the interesting advantages that Baugher brings over Miller is his physical size.

All reports seem to indicate that Baugher is built like a linebacker -- similar to Todd Sauerbrun, who the Patriots also pursued. In the Belichick school of versatility, having a punter who is strong enough for tackling responsibilities in a certain gap on the field opens up a lot of creative doors for special teams.

The tradeoff, of course, is distance/accuracy/hang time performance between the punters, but imagine if Belichick could overwhelm a lone punt return blocker with two gunners, with Baugher filling the gap responsibility for the relocated player.

I have known Baugher since kindergarten and played football with him in HS. He was our starting middle linebacker and fullback (9.2 yards per carry). You guys are getting a football player who can punt, not just a guy who can kick. Had he not got hurt his senior year of college (running a bad snap for a 32 yard gain and then having his knee taken out by Haloi Ngata and he tore his ACL) he would have set the college record for average and net, but he didn't get enough punts. If he gets the job for you guys, he will never stop working to improve. I now have a team to root for in the AFC. GO PATS!

 

[italia44]

correct me if I'm wrong......

Didn't the Pats pay Miller a $100k roster bonus in the spring,while he was injured?

And also release him early to hopefully catch
on with another team?(I think Green Bay just released their starting punter).

Am I missing something here about the cruel and uncaring Bill Belichick?

 

[rabthepat]

I have known Baugher since kindergarten and played football with him in HS. He was our starting middle linebacker and fullback (9.2 yards per carry). You guys are getting a football player who can punt, not just a guy who can kick. Had he not got hurt his senior year of college (running a bad snap for a 32 yard gain and then having his knee taken out by Haloi Ngata and he tore his ACL) he would have set the college record for average and net, but he didn't get enough punts. If he gets the job for you guys, he will never stop working to improve. I now have a team to root for in the AFC. GO PATS!

Interesting info...Thanks.

 

[PatsSteve1]

This has to be a long term decision. Had the kept the 37 year old Miller and tried to put Baugher on the PS, usually a punter or two gets hurt during the year and they very well may have lost Baugher. If Baugher can learn better directional and pooch ounting, they'll have the pounter issue solved for years to come. Miller wasn't going to do that.

 

[eternal]

"Thanks for calling, coach Mangini. Yeah, I'm available and I brought the photocopy of my playbook, as you asked."

"Excellent. Let's see it.
Hmm.
Third and short: Catch, step, kick.
Third and long: Catch, step, kick.
Behind the 50: Catch, step, kick.
Inside the 50: Catch, step, kick.
Fourth quarter: Catch, step, kick.
I see. Now I've got them."

Freaking hilarious!!!

Pats won't be punting it much this year anyway, so no big deal. See you all at the game........

 

[RayClay]

I got the Ken Walter shakes reading that.

Don't say it...don't say it.

I didn't read that!!:enranged: :wha: :explative :help:

 

[Patjew]

I'll be sitting shiva if anyone needs me.

 

[MetalBleachers]

This could be BB's reaction to the Robbie Gould Situation of 2005. The Pats had the young kicker in training camp but of course wouldn't part ways with the storied, veteran AV. One year later, Gould was winning playoff games for the Bears while AV was .... let's just say elsewhere.

I think BB wants to be set at punter for years to come, and Baugher has the potential to make that happen, much more than a 38-year-old punter with recent injury problems (and an unremarkable preseason).

 

[WhiZa]

This could be BB's reaction to the Robbie Gould Situation of 2005. The Pats had the young kicker in training camp but of course wouldn't part ways with the storied, veteran AV. One year later, Gould was winning playoff games for the Bears while AV was .... let's just say elsewhere.

I think BB wants to be set at punter for years to come, and Baugher has the potential to make that happen, much more than a 38-year-old punter with recent injury problems (and an unremarkable preseason).

That's a good point and I wonder if BB didn't want history to repeat itself. Miller didn't have very many years left so perhaps BB decided to take a risk this year on Baugher (or Malone) because there's higher reward in the future.

 

[PatsFan37]

I'll be sitting shiva if anyone needs me.

And so goes the Patriots sole member of the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

I'll remember 2005 and his skill with at pooch kicks and at containing returns with directional punting. But I trust Belichick and I'm looking forward to Baugher booming his punts in game situations.

And thanks to the poster that gave us Baugher's high school and college credentials. That was great info. One thing Miller could not do (though he tried) was tackle returners that break free. Now that Miami spent a high pick on a punt returner (who looked pathetic last night), that has added importance.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think you hit the nail on the head. With due respect to Danny Baugher, if the Pats hadn't bungled the Sauerbrun contract, he would be our starting punter right now. Still, it appears that Baugher, though inexperienced, may not be a bad fall-back option. Hopefully the season won't come down to a late punt, like it did in SB 39.

The Pats only had first right of refusal for 2007. So all they'd have done is push the problem forward a year. I honestly don't think that it would have made a difference.

 

[BadMoFo]

I have to say, Josh Miller is truly a class act. How many other people in any profession would be as understanding about getting released to make way for a younger person. On a related note, wouldn't this be age discrimination outside of the sports world.

August 17th, 2007
Miller speaks
Posted by John Tomase at 10:53 am

Veteran punter Josh Miller leaves the Patriots in good spirits and a full understanding of the situation: The Pats wanted to get younger at the position.

“I have absolutely zero regrets. I had a great time here. My family loved it. I got a few rings. I respect Bill (Belichick). I respect Scott (Pioli). I respect the Krafts,'’ said Miller, 37. “It was a great time. Before I got here I never realized that coaches actually won games. Now I know I probably should have won more at the other teams I played for.'’

Miller, who did not play in the preseason opener in Tampa on Friday, wasn’t going to kick tonight against Tennesse, either. With his practice reps also limited, he and the team talked about the situation this week — and yesterday he was released. “I didn’t want to be an appetizer,'’ said Miller.

Miller’s agent has been fielding calls from other teams, and if the right opportunity presents itself, Miller will move on.

A full interview with Miller can be heard today on the Mike Felger Show on 890 ESPN radio from 3-6.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I have to say, Josh Miller is truly a class act. How many other people in any profession would be as understanding about getting released to make way for a younger person. On a related note, wouldn't this be age discrimination outside of the sports world.

Miller - like his predecessor - knows that if he keeps working and stays in shape he could easilly find his way back here midseason if one of the kids stumbles.

Punters, like no other players, should know not to burn bridges.

And no, one can't make an age discrimination case in the NFL - especially when as a player someone is out performing you.

 

[BadMoFo]

On a related note, wouldn't this be age discrimination outside of the sports world.

I know it's not age discrimination in the NFL, that's why I wrote what I did.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Poor Josh is whining a little, on Felger's sympathetic shoulder, even though he got a roster bonus this spring. Wished he'd either got a real shot to compete all pre season or they cut him after the draft when he knows he could have beaten out some of the other guys who have jobs...

Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't. At least they gave him a nice 6 figure parting gift...

He's saying nice things about Belioli in parting though. Says Bill is honest and will always do what is best for the team, and that goes a long way. Doesn't say your his guy and then dump you. Says he had a good talk with BB and Scott, and didn't require a security escort out of the building! Also says he always believed players win games, then he came here and realized while players do have to play to win, coaches like Bill can win a team 3 games a year (they might otherwise apparently not have won is the intimation).

Says unless it's a real good situation (I assume where he sees a real opportunity to catch on), he might just go into straight into broadcasting instead. He's a pretty good guy with a glib sense of humor - so he should.

Felger just told a story from last season. Josh had offered to bring him the ST kicking unit (himself, Lonnie and the rookie) for an hour on his regularly scheduled Tuesday appearance. Felger says he must have teased this on air once or twice prior to the Tuesday show. That day the three were eating lunch together when BB approached and told them you guys aren't going anywhere today. LOL