I assume Townsend wants a big contract. We don't really have excess money to spare on our punter. Something that looks really good is right there for us.
No bitterness toward Townsend. No hard feelings. I like the guy and I appreciate some of the things he's done for us like the great job on the hold in the Super Bowl for Butker's long FG. I hope he does well in his quest for a big contract, but we desperately need that money to extend other players that play a much more critical role. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Balto:
Townsend + only $28M for Jones
OR
Araiza + $32M for Jones
Shouldn't change what we pay Jones - offer him what you think he's worth. If he takes it, fantastic. If not, move along.
But it frees up enough space for the kind of moves that paid huge dividends on the fringes of the roster for us the last several seasons. Again, to my eyes its actually:
Honestly may have upgraded. Tommy was good but I never felt he did a great job of pinning guys. Araiza got the nickname punt god for a reason. Let's see what he's got. [Reply]
And the guy's probably going to want $4-5 million to stay.
I've been saying we needed to let Townsend go for months. I have no interest in re-signing the guy. And this is a killer replacement who can probably be an upgrade with a little work with Toub. And he's going to be cheap for the foreseeable future.
I didn't realize he was a pretty decent placekicker in college as well. Not that he will replace Butker, but if we Butker gets hurt in game, he's much better than Reid. Tommy is good, but this guy could be great. We get a couple of WR's, we aren't going to punt much anyway though... [Reply]
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut:
Shouldn't change what we pay Jones - offer him what you think he's worth. If he takes it, fantastic. If not, move along.
But it frees up enough space for the kind of moves that paid huge dividends on the fringes of the roster for us the last several seasons. Again, to my eyes its actually:
Townsend
or
Araiza + Tranquill
That's an easy choice.
Exxxactly.
Or for another example, might be the difference in brining back Donovan Smith this year. [Reply]
Townsend was bottom tier on percentage inside the 20 this year. Also only about league average in yards per punt.
They can do better.
The punting world has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. For decades a 45 yard gross average would make you the best in the league. In 2023 we had six punters who grossed more than 50 (not counting a 7th who had just three punts). 29 punters (with 20+ attempts) grossed 45 or better.
I wonder what's changed so much. I don't think it can be just raw strength. There must be some technique change that's producing more yards. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
The two actual questions about him are his ability to hold on FGs because he was the punter and FG kicker at SDSU. I don't know if he has much experience holding. And does he end up taking kickoff duties from Butker? Worst case we have two guys with monster legs who can kickoff.
One more question: Does he have a laser rocket arm to make pinpoint passes on fake punts the way Tommy did? [Reply]
