I'll give you $5 if you
can name this free agent
At the beginning of the 2008 season punter Ryan Plackemeier played himself out of Seattle with a terrible performance against the Bills featuring 11 punts. One was returned for a touchdown, six were returnable and he averaged a weak 40.9 average punt yards.
After releasing Plackemeier, the Seahawks signed free agent Jon Ryan to replace him. Recently cut from the Packers, Ryan joined the Seahawks week 2 against the 49ers and was absolutely atrocious, shanking a punt and booting one into the endzone while averaging less than 40 yards per kick.
Ryan had plenty of practice throughout the year, punting the ball 78 times and performed decently for the rest of the season, averaging 45.6 yards a punt. But, Ryan often struggled pinning the ball inside the 20 and never showed the ability to kick a boomer.
Ryan is signed to a modest salary and is set to make $535,000 in 2009. If the Seahawks are serious about improving special teams play next season, they could consider some of the standout free agent punters.
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Hunter Smith – Colts, 31
One punter who could provide immediate improvement when trying to pin opponents inside the 20 is Hunter Smith. He was able to keep the ball within the 20 yard line on nearly 50 percent of all punts last season with the Colts. While his average yards might not be impressive (44.2), the Seahawks defense could thrive on a much longer field. If character was ever an issue with a punter, you wouldn’t have to worry about it with Smith, who’s a devout Christian, and even sings in a Christian rock band.
Sam Koch – Ravens, 26
Koch is a restricted free agent, and seems unlikely to leave the Ravens. If Peyton Manning has a laser accurate arm (according to his commercials) then Koch is the punter version of him. He led the NFL with 34 punts within the 20 yard line and has the boomer leg Ryan and Smith lack (his furthest kick this season was 74 yards). Koch may demand a little more than the Seahawks are willing to offer at the punter position.
Chris Hanson – Patriots, 31
With the Patriots, Hanson managed 19 of 49 kicks within the 20 yard line but also had an underwhelming 43.7 yard punt average. Some may chalk it up to his ratio of kicks within the 20-yard line to overall punts, but Hanson never hit the 45 yard average in his NFL career. His career average is 42.8. I wouldn’t expect Hanson to be an upgrade over Ryan, and Smith has more to offer at the same age.
Craig Hentrich – Titans, 38
Hentrich had to punt a lot in Tennessee last season and didn’t do a great job. 87 punts, with only 27 landing within the 20. Not only that, but he managed only 42.8 average yards a punt. He’s also 38-years-old. Pass.
Ben Graham – Cardinals, 35
42.5 average yards per punt with the Cardinals and a long of 59 yards. That’s no upgrade.
Mitch Berger – Steelers, 36
He’s 36 and has lost power and control. 41.3 yard average, a less than 1/3 of his punts fell within the 20.
