Free agency preview: punters

Punters

Voting present: Dave Zastudil (Re-signed by Bif Dead 4/10), Donnie Jones (Signed by Houston 3/29), Nick Harris (cut by Jagwires 5/3, signed by Panthers 5/8)

Wild card: Mat McBriar was diagnosed with "drop foot" in his plant foot midway through last season and had an operation in February to remove a cyst from his knee that was found to be the cause of the condition. A Pro Bowl-quality punter when healthy, he's expected to be ready for the 2012 season.

Tag you're it: Steve Weatherford. I'd make relentless fun of the Giants for franchising a PUNTER if I hadn't thought earlier that the Rams were going to tag Donnie Jones.

Out of the running: Ben Graham (re-signed by Lions), Nick Harris (re-signed with Jagwires)

The doctor will see you now: Daniel Sepulveda was IR'ed midway through last season due to cartilage damage in his right knee. He's had a history of knee problems. Also Richmond McGee, who missed almost all of last season due to a back injury and numbness in his leg.

Gawd no: Sorry, Matt Turk. Can we call it a sign a punter should retire when he can't kick his age? Brad Maynard ranked 37th in yards per punt, 33rd in net yards. Aren't there only 32 teams?
Jason Baker (cut by Panthers 3/14): worst net punting average in the league last year.

RamView’s moves: RamView was not happy at all with Donnie Jones' performance last season. He ranked only 22nd in the league in yards per punt at 44.3, and a woeful 31st in net at 37.0. I'd wager he has the worst ratio in the league of punts inside the 20 that don't make it inside the 15. I want very badly to replace him. But there's nothing out there besides injured guys and old guys who really can't punt. Zastudil would be pretty much a lateral move, as would Sav Rocca, who's still an Eagle, but they seem very disappointed with him. We're going to have to assume Donnie got a tired leg from leading the NFL in punts with 105, bite the bullet and bring him back.

Shoot the moon: RamView NEVER recommends drafting punters, and the Rams don't have the luxury of using any of their draft picks on specialists. But the way the 49ers brought attention to winning football by winning the field position game with Andy Lee, somebody is going to draft Cal punter Bryan Anger as high as the fourth round on the grounds that he's a game changer. He was the leading punter in college last year, and he drilled three 60-yard moon shots during the East-West Shrine Game.

Prediction: Fisher seems to believe in stability on special teams. Craig Hentrich punted for him forever. He'll get a challenge in camp from a street free agent, but Donnie Jones will be back.

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