Punter debate

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Tupa when healthy is a very reliable which we haven't really seen in DC in a while, but since he is hurting and Groom has been doing a great job (and as someone posted he's cheaper and a heck of a lot younger) I'd lean more towards Groom. And I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be suprised if more than half of his punts have been downed within the 20 and that in the preseason he has one of the smallest gaps between avg punt and net avg of any punters who've seen action.

[CRT3]

Tupa

[BigSKINBauer]

Tupa did better last year than Groom has done thus far, I don't know if Groom knows how to drop a ball in the 5 but i do know that tupa does

Net Average for Groom this preseason: 34.7
Net Average for Tupa Last Season: 35.2
Gross Average for Groom this preseason:42.3
Gross Average for Toooop Last Season: 44.1

[BossHog]

Groom on the practice squad means another team can sign him. Make him active and give Tupa the ax.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by BossHog

Groom on the practice squad means another team can sign him. Make him active and give Tupa the ax.

Considering the importance of, and difficulty finding, a good punter, is it possible we'd keep both Tupa and Groom? It would be hard to make room for him (especially considering that we have a whole bunch of talented "depth-players" at other positions), but he might be worth it. Tupa only has a season or two left and my memory of shanked Barker punts still haunts me.

PS - Didn't we let place kicker David Akers go because we didn't think we had the room for him on the roster?

[SmootSmack]

Tupa...plus should, God forbid, Ramsey, Brunell and Campbell all go down Tupa can play some QB. In fact I had thought we might do a fake punt/pass or two last year with Tupa

[VishsSkins]

Tupa was so good last year. Not only was he able to boot the ball 50+ yds at times, he could also drop in inside the 20 better than anybody. I know he has some back problems, but unless proven wrong, he is still one of the best in the league. To have the kind of average he had last yr with all the times we punted says something.

[BossHog]

Originally Posted by VishsSkins

Tupa was so good last year. Not only was he able to boot the ball 50+ yds at times, he could also drop in inside the 20 better than anybody. I know he has some back problems, but unless proven wrong, he is still one of the best in the league. To have the kind of average he had last yr with all the times we punted says something.

What a difference a year makes, huh? An injured punter isn't going to do any team any good. And goes for guys at any position. How much money do we have invested in Tupa?

[Kevikazi]

Tupa is also a holder for John Hall during field goals. It may not sound like an important position, but I think having a reliable holder is crucial.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Kevikazi

Tupa is also a holder for John Hall during field goals. It may not sound like an important position, but I think having a reliable holder is crucial.

That is an EXCELLENT point Kevikazi. I didn't think of it but I am glad you did.

[crlesh]

Originally Posted by Kevikazi

Tupa is also a holder for John Hall during field goals. It may not sound like an important position, but I think having a reliable holder is crucial.

True, true. There must be some chemistry/trust between the holder and kicker. Maybe Groom can place too? In any event, I like the idea of the punter holding for the kicker rather than one of our QBs holding.

[BossHog]

Who was holding last night? No problems there.

[BigSKINBauer]

What are the Cap numbers like i mean i am sure we can get a trade for Toop but I like Tupa so much more. Is his injury THAT serious i think it is just because it is preseason, otherwise he would be playing. I don't claim to know much about Groom but i don't know anyone who can drop the ball inside the 10 much like toop.

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by BigSKINBauer

What are the Cap numbers like i mean i am sure we can get a trade for Toop but I like Tupa so much more. Is his injury THAT serious i think it is just because it is preseason, otherwise he would be playing. I don't claim to know much about Groom but i don't know anyone who can drop the ball inside the 10 much like toop.

Tupa's a very good punter, but I doubt any sane GM would trade for him. It's rare these days that a punter or kicker gets signed to more thana two year deal anyway, so free agency is how they move around.

I don't think his "injury" is that serious on the face - he has a stiff back. The problem is that (and I hope I don't offend any 40 year olds out there) he's 40 freakin' years old! The recovery time slows, and the odds of his back stiffening up again are good. I don't think we should hold onto Tupa, and have to pick up punters on odd weeks when Father Time is giving him a kick in the ass.

[MTK]

We could get a first rounder for Tupa, easy