McBriar getting hang of how to punt in NFL
Advertiser News Services
The appearance of punter Mat McBriar this afternoon at Lambeau Field underscores all over again the sheer folly of Mike Sherman's decision to trade up and draft B.J. Sander in the third round.
While Sander walks the Green Bay sideline in a sweat suit, McBriar will be punting for the Dallas Cowboys one week after a performance against Pittsburgh that might have been better than these eyes have ever seen, in person or on tape.
McBriar, a 25-year-old Australian who played at the University of Hawai'i, averaged 5.03 seconds of hang time on punts that stayed in the air 5.09, 4.91, 5.16 and 4.95. His gross average was 50.3 yards; his net average was 45.
The Steelers' Antwaan Randle El was shaking his head almost in disbelief after two fair catches. You're just not supposed to be able to punt a ball that far and that high four times in a row.
One opposing special-teams coach and one scout both said McBriar has been punting very well all season, even though he ranks just 29th in gross average (40.2 yards) and 17th in net (36.6). He has had an inordinate number of attempts in "pooch" punt situations and both his touchback and inside-the-20 percentages are ranked among the top seven in the league.
Like most punters in the NFL, McBriar had a strong college career but then had to taste some failure in the pros while learning the necessary adjustments. After starting for three seasons at Hawai'i, McBriar signed with Denver in 2003 as an undrafted free agent before being dealt to Seattle in mid-August for a conditional pick.
The Seahawks cut him at the end of training camp and he was out of football until the Cowboys signed him to their practice squad Dec. 24. They re-signed him Jan. 5.
According to scouts, McBriar came out of Hawai'i with explosive leg strength. His first punt at the Hula Bowl went almost 85 yards. Still, he was inconsistent in his "drops" — releasing the ball to his kicking foot — so he had to go the free-agent route.
NOTES
Chargers: San Diego lifted the roster exemption for wide receiver Keenan McCardell yesterday, making him eligible to play in today's game against Carolina. The Chargers received a two-game exemption for McCardell when they acquired him Tuesday in a trade with Tampa Bay.
Bucs: Tampa Bay activated wide receiver Joe Jurevicius yesterday, hoping he will give a boost to a struggling offense in today's game against Chicago. The seven-year veteran had been sidelined most of the past year by knee and back injuries.
