bubba9497
August-30th-2005, 01:40 AM
Redskins figure Mohr is better for punting
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/082005/08302005/125879/printer_friendly
ASHBURN--Just when the Washington Redskins roster should be rounding into shape, coach Joe Gibbs finds himself trying to sort out a pair of 39-year-old punters.
With Tom Tupa struggling to return from a back injury, the Redskins signed 16-year veteran Chris Mohr yesterday. Youngster Andy Groom is also in camp, but Mohr has essentially been given two practices and one exhibition game to show whether he can hold down the job.
"Fortunately, in my position, I don't have to learn plays or new formations--it's just catch it and kick it. That's pretty universal throughout the league," Mohr said. "So I'll just keep doing what I've been doing for 15 years. It's just a different venue, different city."
The job was supposed to belong to Tupa, who led the NFC with a 44.1 average last season and was fourth in the league with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line. Groom, who never has punted in a regular season game, was expected to provide token competition during training camp.
But Tupa strained his back while warming up before the Aug. 19 exhibition game against Cincinnati. He has missed two games and has been examined by two doctors. Gibbs planned to review the latest doctor's report last night.
Groom has punted well, averaging 42.3 yards with six punts inside the 20 and one touchback. He has a powerful leg but lacks Tupa's directional skills. Like Tupa, Groom is from Ohio State. He failed to make Tampa Bay's roster in 2003--losing the job to Tupa--and tried again without success with San Francisco last year.
Unsure if Groom is the right choice, the Redskins decided to take a look at a known quantity. Mohr was available, having been released by Atlanta in March.
"He's got tons of experience, and he's a very good holder," coach Joe Gibbs said. "We felt like it was somebody we need to look at."
Mohr played 10 years for Buffalo and four for Atlanta. He has a career 40.4 average, and his 40.6 last season ranked 13th of 15 NFC punters. The Falcons cut him because they wanted a punter who also could handle kickoffs.
Mohr said he got invited to a couple of training camps this summer to compete against younger players, but he chose the Redskins because he wanted something "more definite."
"At this stage of my career I don't want to come in and compete," Mohr said. "You know what I can do."
Mohr's ability as a holder helps his cause. Tupa was the holder last year, and Groom is also a holder.
Mohr will punt in Thursday's preseason game against Baltimore. Gibbs wants to have the punter situation decided by Saturday, when teams must set their 53-man roster for the regular season.
The addition of Mohr came on a day filled with subtractions. Thirteen players were cut and another was given an injury settlement, reducing the roster to 73. The only notable casualties were receiver Darnerien McCants and linebacker Jared Newberry.
McCants, a 2001 fifth-round draft pick from Delaware State, caught 27 passes for 360 yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdown receptions two years ago. He was rewarded with a three-year contract when Gibbs replaced Steve Spurrier.
But McCants' questionable practice habits and his lack of value on special teams meant he was unable to get much time on the field under Gibbs. McCants was inactive for 10 games last season and finished with five catches for 71 yards.
"Any time you don't play [special] teams, it hurts you," Gibbs said. "You've got to be a legit starter if you're going to do that."
Newberry was a sixth-round draft pick from Stanford this year but made little impact during training camp. He was expected to add depth to a linebacking corps that lost Antonio Pierce to free agency.
Also cut were tight end Billy Baber, defensive back Charles Byrd, running back Jonathan Combs, running back Brock Forsey, receiver Steven Harris, defensive lineman Charles Howard, defensive lineman Jerome Nichols, linebacker Clifton Smith, quarterback Bryson Spinner, kicker Jeff Chandler and offensive lineman Josh Warner. Running back Dahrran Diedrick was released with an injury settlement.
Notes
Rookie linebacker Robert McCune strained a groin muscle during practice.
Safety Matt Bowen was released from the hospital Sunday with a bruised chest from Friday's game against Pittsburgh. Various tests found no internal injuries. He's expected to resume practicing next week.
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/082005/08302005/125879/printer_friendly
ASHBURN--Just when the Washington Redskins roster should be rounding into shape, coach Joe Gibbs finds himself trying to sort out a pair of 39-year-old punters.
With Tom Tupa struggling to return from a back injury, the Redskins signed 16-year veteran Chris Mohr yesterday. Youngster Andy Groom is also in camp, but Mohr has essentially been given two practices and one exhibition game to show whether he can hold down the job.
"Fortunately, in my position, I don't have to learn plays or new formations--it's just catch it and kick it. That's pretty universal throughout the league," Mohr said. "So I'll just keep doing what I've been doing for 15 years. It's just a different venue, different city."
The job was supposed to belong to Tupa, who led the NFC with a 44.1 average last season and was fourth in the league with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line. Groom, who never has punted in a regular season game, was expected to provide token competition during training camp.
But Tupa strained his back while warming up before the Aug. 19 exhibition game against Cincinnati. He has missed two games and has been examined by two doctors. Gibbs planned to review the latest doctor's report last night.
Groom has punted well, averaging 42.3 yards with six punts inside the 20 and one touchback. He has a powerful leg but lacks Tupa's directional skills. Like Tupa, Groom is from Ohio State. He failed to make Tampa Bay's roster in 2003--losing the job to Tupa--and tried again without success with San Francisco last year.
Unsure if Groom is the right choice, the Redskins decided to take a look at a known quantity. Mohr was available, having been released by Atlanta in March.
"He's got tons of experience, and he's a very good holder," coach Joe Gibbs said. "We felt like it was somebody we need to look at."
Mohr played 10 years for Buffalo and four for Atlanta. He has a career 40.4 average, and his 40.6 last season ranked 13th of 15 NFC punters. The Falcons cut him because they wanted a punter who also could handle kickoffs.
Mohr said he got invited to a couple of training camps this summer to compete against younger players, but he chose the Redskins because he wanted something "more definite."
"At this stage of my career I don't want to come in and compete," Mohr said. "You know what I can do."
Mohr's ability as a holder helps his cause. Tupa was the holder last year, and Groom is also a holder.
Mohr will punt in Thursday's preseason game against Baltimore. Gibbs wants to have the punter situation decided by Saturday, when teams must set their 53-man roster for the regular season.
The addition of Mohr came on a day filled with subtractions. Thirteen players were cut and another was given an injury settlement, reducing the roster to 73. The only notable casualties were receiver Darnerien McCants and linebacker Jared Newberry.
McCants, a 2001 fifth-round draft pick from Delaware State, caught 27 passes for 360 yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdown receptions two years ago. He was rewarded with a three-year contract when Gibbs replaced Steve Spurrier.
But McCants' questionable practice habits and his lack of value on special teams meant he was unable to get much time on the field under Gibbs. McCants was inactive for 10 games last season and finished with five catches for 71 yards.
"Any time you don't play [special] teams, it hurts you," Gibbs said. "You've got to be a legit starter if you're going to do that."
Newberry was a sixth-round draft pick from Stanford this year but made little impact during training camp. He was expected to add depth to a linebacking corps that lost Antonio Pierce to free agency.
Also cut were tight end Billy Baber, defensive back Charles Byrd, running back Jonathan Combs, running back Brock Forsey, receiver Steven Harris, defensive lineman Charles Howard, defensive lineman Jerome Nichols, linebacker Clifton Smith, quarterback Bryson Spinner, kicker Jeff Chandler and offensive lineman Josh Warner. Running back Dahrran Diedrick was released with an injury settlement.
Notes
Rookie linebacker Robert McCune strained a groin muscle during practice.
Safety Matt Bowen was released from the hospital Sunday with a bruised chest from Friday's game against Pittsburgh. Various tests found no internal injuries. He's expected to resume practicing next week.