Former Arizona State University punter- Josh Hubner (azcentral.com)
During Saturday night's victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Patriots' punter Ryan Allen left the game with an injured shoulder. He is scheduled for an MRI on Monday and could likely be unavailable for the remainder of the season. Although Allen's duties were covered exceptionally well by Stephen Gostkowski and Tom Brady, that is not going to be the game plan going forward. Here are my thoughts on several punters who are available if the Patriots come calling.
Chris Kluwe- Although he is available, I do not think the Patriots should or would consider him. Kluwe last played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Acquiring him would likely create a distraction as he has recently made accusations against his former Special Teams Coordinator for making homophobic slurs. In case you didn't know, Bill Belichick isn't a big fan of distractions in general so he probably isn't looking for one at this point in the season.
Nick Harris- Nick last played for the Lions in 2012. He has a good amount of experience and has a career average of 42.4 yards and has had 27.6% of his punts stop inside the 20. Harris is 35 years old and kicks righty.
Reggie Hodges- Has a career average of 41.5 yards and had 30% land inside the 20. He last played during the 2012 season for the Cleveland Browns. He was briefly on the Patriots practice squad during the 2008 season. Currently offers private punting lessons and runs his own camp.
Daniel Sepulveda- Hasn't played since 2011 when he went on the IR after injuring his plant knee. Played five seasons for the Steelers and had a career average of 43.7 yards and 36.7% inside the 20. Winner of the Ray Guy Award in 2004 and 2006. He's a left-footed kicker and you know how we like those in New England.
Brad Wing- Has never played in the NFL but has a futures/reserve contract with the Steelers for next season. Since this isn't effective until March, I believe he is available. Brad had a "tryout" with the 49ers in December so they could practice against a lefty. He played for LSU and had an average of 44.8 yards per punt in 2012. His longest punt that season was 69 yards.
Jeremy Kapinos- Hasn't played since 2011 season and has career average of 43.2 yards and leaving 29% inside the 20. Has post-season experience as he played in Super Bowl XLV for the Steelers and set the record for average punting distance. He average 51 yards per punt and had 3 punts in the game. Jeremy also punts left.
Josh Hubner- Of the right-footed kickers, Josh is my dark horse favorite. Josh last played for Arizona State University last season. His final season he averaged 47.1 yards per punt and had a 73 yard punt. Hubner kicked in 45 of the 46 college games he played in. The final game of his college career was the one game he stayed on the sideline. Not getting into the game was bitter sweet as ASU trampled Navy 62-28 in the KRAFT Fight Hunger Bowl.
Nick Harris- Nick last played for the Lions in 2012. He has a good amount of experience and has a career average of 42.4 yards and has had 27.6% of his punts stop inside the 20. Harris is 35 years old and kicks righty.
Reggie Hodges- Has a career average of 41.5 yards and had 30% land inside the 20. He last played during the 2012 season for the Cleveland Browns. He was briefly on the Patriots practice squad during the 2008 season. Currently offers private punting lessons and runs his own camp.
Daniel Sepulveda- Hasn't played since 2011 when he went on the IR after injuring his plant knee. Played five seasons for the Steelers and had a career average of 43.7 yards and 36.7% inside the 20. Winner of the Ray Guy Award in 2004 and 2006. He's a left-footed kicker and you know how we like those in New England.
Brad Wing- Has never played in the NFL but has a futures/reserve contract with the Steelers for next season. Since this isn't effective until March, I believe he is available. Brad had a "tryout" with the 49ers in December so they could practice against a lefty. He played for LSU and had an average of 44.8 yards per punt in 2012. His longest punt that season was 69 yards.
Jeremy Kapinos- Hasn't played since 2011 season and has career average of 43.2 yards and leaving 29% inside the 20. Has post-season experience as he played in Super Bowl XLV for the Steelers and set the record for average punting distance. He average 51 yards per punt and had 3 punts in the game. Jeremy also punts left.
Josh Hubner- Of the right-footed kickers, Josh is my dark horse favorite. Josh last played for Arizona State University last season. His final season he averaged 47.1 yards per punt and had a 73 yard punt. Hubner kicked in 45 of the 46 college games he played in. The final game of his college career was the one game he stayed on the sideline. Not getting into the game was bitter sweet as ASU trampled Navy 62-28 in the KRAFT Fight Hunger Bowl.
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