Punter & Kick Returner

[Brady85-23]

Looks like Punter and Kick Returner could be targeted in the draft. Wanted some opinions on who could be the best this year. Sorry if this was on another post.

 

[Wozzy]

Baringer needs to work on his touch and placing balls inside the twenty. His directional kicking needs work. But in his defense he was one of the lesser utilized punters in the league last year. He also has a strong leg. His average per punt is low because he wasn't asked to punt long very often, most of his were placement punts. He did have the fourth longest punt in the NFL last season with a 73 yarder.

It wouldn't be bad to bring in some UDFA competition, but I'm not spending a draft pick on punter unless I get the best punter in the entire class in the 7th.

We need a third RB, a bigger guy who can spell Rhamondre as the power back but has skills to play receiver so he is interchangeable like the other two. A late round pick can probably find someone. I like the look of this kid Adam Randall from Clemson, he looks like another Corey Blount at 6’3” 232 pounds but he is a converted WR who only has one year of experience at RB… but he’s athletic big and strong. Take him towards the end of the draft.

 

[Ross12]

I have a hunch they might draft a punter and have a camp competition. Baringer was kind of inconsistent last year.

As far as kick returner, it’s likely an RB. Henderson is probably the best at the job with some more polish. If they draft a solid 3rd RB (or if Larison takes the job) so that Henderson doesn’t need to handle a high touch count on offense (which I presume is the goal) then he can be the primary KR.

 

[Wozzy]

I have a hunch they might draft a punter and have a camp competition. Baringer was kind of inconsistent last year.

As far as kick returner, it’s likely an RB. Henderson is probably the best at the job with some more polish. If they draft a solid 3rd RB so that Henderson doesn’t need to handle a high touch count on offense (which I presume is the goal) then he can be a primary KR.

They could bring an UDFA in and probably get some decent competition. I agree Baringer needs to improve his directional punting but for perspective, Baringer was a consensus all American kicker in college and led the entire nation in yards per. Not sure we should be so quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater after a blah season.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

They could bring an UDFA in and probably get some decent competition. I agree Baringer needs to improve his directional punting but for perspective, Baringer was a consensus all American kicker in college and led the entire nation in yards per. Not sure we should be so quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater after a blah season.

He is a FA next season, so if they're not sold on extending him, bringing in competition (at least with an UDFA) would be good.

 

[rkarp1]

I would continue to monitor the health of Gibson. if he is 100% healthy, he has the speed, size and pass catching ability the team needs in that 3rd back role. he was also very good returning KO's. coming off injury, I assume a vet min deal + incentives is all it would take. apparently his wife enjoyed being here, and she isn't ruling out a return.

not to be overlooked when discussing Barringer.....of course leg strength and hang time. but Borregales was very good last year, and Barringer was his placeholder. sure, bring in some competition for any and every job. the team has 4 6th round picks (and 1 7th). Rather than wait on UDFA's that may want to go elsewhere, I have no problem using a 6th or 7th for a P for camp comp

 

[Brady85-23]

I know barringer is in a contract year which made me think pats might go cheaper/younger. I like the georgia kid and Stonehouse I think Syracuse.
KR Zachariah branch, barion brown, Adam Randall, eli heidenrich, (udfa) Vinnie Anthony

 

[rkarp1]

I know barringer is in a contract year which made me think pats might go cheaper/younger. I like the georgia kid and Stonehouse I think Syracuse.
KR Zachariah branch, barion brown, Adam Randall, eli heidenrich, (udfa) Vinnie Anthony

true, this is year 4 of his 4 year deal. after this season he is a free agent.
that said, moving on from Barringer for a rookie, would result in very, very minimal savings.
I would welcome some camp comp, but outright cutting a really good P, who also has been a reliable placekicker holder? not interested

 

[Brady85-23]

true, this is year 4 of his 4 year deal. after this season he is a free agent.
that said, moving on from Barringer for a rookie, would result in very, very minimal savings.
I would welcome some camp comp, but outright cutting a really good P, who also has been a reliable placekicker holder? not interested

I hear ya. Ive just seen it as a possibility other places can't remember where. I was surprised pats let go of their long snapper last year. And he wasnt a vrabel pick so I thought it could happen. I forgot how good he was in college. Im cool with keeping him just wanted some intel on punters in case

 

[mike_usagisan]

He's also one of the last players from the Bill era, which they've wanted to move on from unless they were really good players. So I could see them drafting a punter and having a competition.

 

[rkarp1]

I hear ya. Ive just seen it as a possibility other places can't remember where. I was surprised pats let go of their long snapper last year. And he wasnt a vrabel pick so I thought it could happen. I forgot how good he was in college. Im cool with keeping him just wanted some intel on punters in case

competition is always good.

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

I'm hoping last year was just a blip on baringer's resume because he seemed to be doing pretty good before last year. If my aging memory is remembering things properly, his placement and hangtime at times before were great if not l33t. Was top 10 prior to last year if not mistaken. Could it have been an unannounced injury perhaps? That said, I'm definitely down with bringing in some camp bodies for competition as it could either prompt him to up his game or we could find some hidden gem from someone's bench or ps....(a gem punter XD ).

 

[mgteich]

Perhaps we should poll how many STers Vrabel drafts this year.

 

[Triumph]

Trivia

Only 1 punter has been taken in round 1. Who? Pretty easy to figure out the answer.

4 Kickers have been taken in round 1. Name at least 1.

 

[jmt57]

Trivia

Only 1 punter has been taken in round 1. Who? Pretty easy to figure out the answer.

4 Kickers have been taken in round 1. Name at least 1.

FSU's Sebastian Janikowski comes immediately to mind.

It took a few seconds, but I think I have another: Charlie Gogolak, who was with the Pats for a year or two, had been drafted by somebody else in the first round based on the success of his brother Pete. Charlie was always injured, hamstrings if I recall correctly. Never as good as Pete. Can't think of any other kickers; that's a great trivia question.

As for the punter, I'm going to guess it was the guy the award was named after: Ray Guy? Can't think of anybody else.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Seems to me that late round RBs and WRs with speed always have a chance to work their way onto special teams as returners

Marcus Jones is signed through 2028 but his salary goes from $2.75 mil to $9.25 mil next year (with a $13 mil cap hit) so I'm sure they'd welcome a late round pick taking over return duties before next season

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Ray Guy was probably the first round punter, and a good pick