For decades, special teams specialists in the NFL have been among the lowest paid in the league. Last year, the highest paid kicker, Sebastian Janikowski of Oakland, made just over $3 million, and the highest paid punter, Chris Kluwe of Minnesota, made $2.6 million. Kicking the ball for a living has earned players significantly less money than those who run or throw it.
Also, these players have THE worst job security in the league, perhaps even in professional sports in America. No matter how consistent you are, if you screw up even once in clutch time, you could be out of a job. For example, Mike Vanderjagt is the most accurate kicker in NFL history, making 86% of field goal attempts. However, he missed a few crucial field goals while playing for the Cowboys in 2006, and was released. He is now playing in the Canadian Football League, and has not returned to the NFL since. This lack of job security combined with the small salaries makes the life of an NFL kicker or punter not seem worth all the stress.
Now, however, these players are beginning to be recognized. Yesterday, Tennessee re-signed former all=pro kicker Rob Bironas to a four year, $12 million contract, the highest in the NFL for a kicker. Hours later, Oakland made punter Shane Lechler the highest-paid punter in NFL history, by resigning the former all-pro to a four year, $16 million deal.
Its about time teams started to recognize the importance of these players. For decades, games have been lost due to poor special team play. Kickers have missed critical field goals and punters have shanked kicks late in games far more often than coaches would like. In clutch time, having a good kicker and/or punter is one of the most important things a team could have.
Nevertheless, punters and kickers still have the smallest average salary amongst NFL players. On their wish lists for the offseason, general managers put special teamers near the bottom. Kickers are rarely drafted, and draft picks are almost never used on punters. These players, who play such an underappreciated role, get no respect from NFL front offices.
As special teamers become even more and more important to the success of NFL teams, maybe more teams will wise up like the Titans and Raiders and pay the guys who often determine the outcome of the game.
put ray guy in the hall of fame
ReplyDeleteI agree with this except for the part about drafting kickers or punters highly of the top of my head the kickers drafted in the top couple of rounds the past couple of year are nate Kaeding, something nugent, and sebastian janokowski. while these arent bad kickers they dont really represent the cream of the crop so although i think kicker is a valuble position i dont think drafting one of them highly is necisarrly the best way to fill the position. also i think you should point out the importance of other special team players like returners.
ReplyDeleteyeah, i wasnt trying to say they SHOULD be drafted, just pointing out that they dont get paid attention to very much
ReplyDeletemike nugent is the kicker drafted in the second round i believe? might have been the fourth.
ReplyDeleteand I disagree with paying punters and kickers big money, especially punters. Special teams accounts for a tiny percentage of all football plays. of course having a clutch kicker is a nice luxury. but how many kickers come out of college and become successful? very few. most were working odd jobs, heard about a tryout, came out, and made the team (jeff reed is a classic example). top-notch kickers can be hard to find, but is it really that difficult to find someone to make 30 yarders? who would you rather give 4 million a year to, a starting linebacker or a punter who gives you 4 more net yards/punt than your other option?
the steelers just won the super bowl with mitch berger, who had one of the worst averages in the league. teams should spend their money elsewhere.
kickers/ punters may play only a small percentage of plays..but these plays win/lose games..how many times have we seen a blocked kick turn shift momentum or missed kicks ruin seasons/ careers (see: vanderjagt, mike) and as a steeler fan i know alllll about mitch berger who was arguably the worst punter ever during the regular...he actually was released at one point but in the playoffs he turned it around...in fact during superbowl, on talk radio in pgh we talked about how berger would do punting 2 breaston
ReplyDelete--kufere
BEHHHHHH
ReplyDeleteThe unsung heroes of football...the offensive line and special teams. just think how many super bowls have been decided by a field goal, or games that were lost on botched special teams plays like tony romo ending his team's season on a play that rivals chris webber's timeout for dumbest play in sports history. without these guys the game would be a bunch of flashy cry babies whining about the fact that they're getting $3 million and change plus endorsements to play the game that they love. thse guys work hard every game and need more respect. so give them the respect that they deserve or shut the fuck up
ReplyDelete