The Arizona Cardinals made only one change this offseason in their trio of specialists. Back is long snapper Aaron Brewer on a one-year contract and kicker Matt Prater re-signed on a two-year deal.
However, they replaced punter Andy Lee with Matt Haack.
Lee would be 41 years old this coming season, while Haack will turn 29 later thus month.
How did the two stack up statistically last season?
Punting average
Lee’s 47.1 yards per punt was superior to Haack’s last season. Haack averaged 44.8 for the Indianapolis Colts.
Haack has been very consistent since entering the league. He has a career average of 44.5 yards per punt and in five of his six seasons, he has averaged between 44.5 and 45.0 yards.
Net average
Lee also had a better net average of 40.2 compared to Haack’s 39.6.
Net average, of course, factors in the coverage team but Lee’s difference between average and net average is 6.9 yards. Haack’s difference is 5.2 yards.
Haack’s career net is 39.6 while Lee’s is 39.9.
Touchbacks
Generally speaking, punters don’t want touchbacks.
Lee had four last season for a 6.0% average. Haack had only three for a 4.3% average.
Lee’s career touchback rate is 9.0%. Haack’s is 5.8%.
Inside the 20
The best kind of punt is one that is downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Lee’s inside-the-20 percentage was 26.9%. His career average is 32.5%.
Haack had 40.0% of his punts downed inside the 20 and his career rate is 37.3%.
Lee was a fine punter for the Cardinals. He was also a fantastic holder.
But Haack has been consistently good at avoiding touchbacks and having them downed inside the 20. We will see if this trend continues.
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