Tag: Matt Haack

Buffalo Bills sign punter Matt Haack again

Punter news:

Along with a series of departures from the Buffalo Bills, we had a few arrivals.

Mitch Trubisky returns as backup quarterback, meanwhile, there is punter news.

The Bills announced that Matt Haack was re-signed again by the team. He inked a one-year deal.

Haack spent 2021 with the Bills and was signed to the 2023 roster ahead of the Bills’ divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What makes Haack’s addition interesting is because of why he was signed before that Chiefs outing. Punter Sam Martin was injured so Haack was added as insurance.

But Martin is not a pending free agent. He’s still on Buffalo’s roster and now Haack has been added.

With the slew of players leaving the Bills in recent days, Martin could end up soon following. He has a cap hit of $2.285 million and would free up approximately $1.9M on the cap if released. He could also restructure his contract, too.

Finally, there could be a world where Buffalo has a punter battle in training camp this upcoming offseason. Keeping an eye on Martin in the coming days is the more likely option.

Bills Wire will continue to bring roster updates throughout the 2024 offseason.

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Bills sign P Matt Haack as precaution ahead of divisional round vs. Chiefs

#Bills sign Matt Haack as Sam Martin precaution:

The Buffalo Bills are making sure to cover all their punting bases as their postseason journey continues.

During the Bills’ 31-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, a slew of injuries hit the team. Among them was punter Sam Martin, who pulled up after running after a ball carrier. It appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Martin managed to punt one more time against Pittsburgh, but he was in some pain.

As a precaution, Buffalo brought back punter Matt Haack to the practice squad. In the event Martin cannot play against the Kansas City Chiefs in the upcoming divisional round, Haack will take over the duties.

Haack is a familiar name as he punted for the team in 2021. Haack wasn’t great, averaging 37.6 yards per punt. However, he has experience working alongside kicker Tyler Bass. His experience holding for Bass is another factor that likely led to Haack being re-signed.

Bills Wire will continue to provide all injury updates ahead of the divisional round.

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Browns’ 55-man gameday roster as Riley Patterson, Matt Haack elevated from practice squad vs. Jets

Here is Cleveland’s gameday roster after they elevated two from the practice squad.

As the Cleveland Browns get set for their Week 17 showdown against the New York Jets, they were forced to elevate two special teamers from their practice squad. With kicker Dustin Hopkins out and punter Corey Bojorquez listed as questionable, both Riley Patterson and Matt Haack will dress for the Browns tonight.

Hopkins, however, was not placed on Injured Reserve, as head coach Kevin Stefanski has stated he is week-to-week. While he may not return next week against the Cincinnati Bengals, there is hope that he will be back for the playoffs as the Browns have the opportunity to punch their ticket tonight.

Can the Browns overcome a couple more injuries as they look to seal their postseason fate against the Jets tonight?

After the elevation of Patterson and Haack, here is the Browns’ 55-man gameday roster. As a reminder, the inactives list of players who will not dress will drop 90 minutes before gametime.

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Browns elevating K Riley Patterson, P Matt Haack from practice squad vs. Jets

The Browns will start their practice squad kicker and punter against the Jets

The Cleveland Browns have elevated kicker Riley Patterson and punter Matt Haack from their practice squad to the active roster today as they get set to take on the New York Jets in their Week 17 showdown.

Both kicker Dustin Hopkins and punter Corey Bojorquez were hurt in the blowout win against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Hopkins was ruled out earlier this week, while Bojorquez has been listed as doubtful. The elevation of Haack is an indication that Bojorquez will not suit up against the Jets either.

With a chance to clinch their spot in the playoffs tonight, the Browns will need to rely on their special teams to get the job done when needed. This was missed a week ago, and the Browns were forced to attempt to convert fourth down conversions in field goal range due to the lack of a kicker.

Can Patterson knock the ball through the uprights when called upon? Can Haack flip field position the way Bojorquez has been able to?

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Report: Browns sign P Matt Haack to practice squad with Corey Bojorquez sidelined

The Browns have added Matt Haack to their practice squad as starting punter Corey Bojorquez left Sunday’s game with an injury

First, the Cleveland Browns were forced to add kicker Riley Patterson to their practice squad due to a hamstring injury to their starting kicker Dustin Hopkins. Now, they have had to do the same with their punter as Matt Haack has been signed to the practice squad with Corey Bojorquez dealing with an ailment as well (according to Mike Garafolo).

With the Browns set to take on the New York Jets off on a short week, it is a pretty safe bet that both of their practice squad elevations will be these two special teamers. If the Browns had a chance for a full week to recover, this situation may look a bit different, but Cleveland will deal with the hand dealt to them by their schedule this week.

Haack, a six-year pro, has been the starting punter for the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and most recently with the Indianapolis Colts. Thursday night, presumably, will be his first taste of regular season action during the 2023 season.

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Report: Texans work out punters Matt Haack and Pat O’Donnell

The Houston Texans worked out veteran punters Pat O’Donnell and Matt Haack to conclude Week 1.

The Houston Texans want to see if they can get better with their punting unit.

According to Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV, the Texans worked out veteran punters Matt Haack and Pat O’Donnell Monday.

Haack was last with the Indianapolis Colts where he played 17 games in 2022. The former Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins punter averaged 44.8 yards per punt and had 28 inside the 20-yard line with just three touchbacks.

O’Donnell spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears and last year with the Green Bay Packers. The former 2014 sixth-round pick produced 44.5 yards per punt and had 24 punts inside the 20 with one that went for a touchback. O’Donnell also led the league with two punts blocked.

Rookie Ty Zentner punted four times with a 44.0 average and one touchback in the 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.

The Texans also brought in running back Gerrid Doaks and receiver Jared Wayne for visits.

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Nolan Cooney wins punting job as Cardinals cut Matt Haack

Nolan Cooney wins the punting job for the Cardinals.

A quiet position battle has been decided for the Arizona Cardinals. Nolan Cooney has won the punting job.

The Cardinals announced the release of punter Matt Haack as part of multiple roster moves on Monday.

That leaves Cooney as the only punter left on the roster.

Haack has been an NFL team’s punter every one of his six NFL seasons, although he very likely could get picked up by another team.

That is probably why the Cardinals released him a week ahead of final cuts.

Cooney has been very good in the preseason. In two games, he punted five times, averaging 51.8 yards. Three were downed inside the 20. He booted a 65-yarder, all in air yards, on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

His net average was 47.6 yards.

Cooney will now also be the holder for kicker Matt Prater and could take over kickoff duties.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Punter competition pretty even between Matt Haack and Nolan Cooney

The Cardinals have a quietly even roster battle at punter between Nolan Cooney and veteran Matt Haack.

The Arizona Cardinals have a number of roster and position battles in training camp. Before cap started, there was one battle that probably was overlooked by most.

The punter battle between Nolan Cooney and Matt Haack is pretty even.

Both punters have been “pretty decent,” according to special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Jeff Rodgers, via AZCentral Sports’ Jose Romero.

Cooney has been with the team for a while, spending time on the practice squad last year and in previous training camps.

Haack was signed in May after a tryout in rookie minicamp. He has been a starting punter for six seasons.

Both punters have things going in their favor.

Rodgers knows Cooney more from his time on the team. However, Haack has six years of NFL tape.

Cooney can kick off, which would ease the load for veteran kicker Matt Prater.

But Haack, being left-footed, can cause opposing punt returners problems because the ball comes off his foot differently.

Haack has more experience but Cooney is punting the ball well.

Rodgers also notes that holding for extra points and field goals will also be a factor.

Haack obviously did this in his previous stops in the league with Miami, Buffalo and Indianapolis.

“It’s hard to say kind of where things are at right now, because we’re pretty close,” Rodgers told Romero. “See how that plays over the next few weeks.”

Performance in practice and the preseason games will both factor in.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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New P Matt Haack’s 2022 punting stats compared to Andy Lee

We look at what new punter Matt Haack punting stats compare with Andy Lee, the Cardinals’ punter for the last seven seasons.

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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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals release 3 players, sign P Matt Haack

Matt Haack and Nolan Cooney will compete for the punting job.

The Arizona Cardinals announced a few roster moves on Monday following rookie minicamp. They released three players — kicker Elliott Fry, defensive lineman Manny Jones and linebacker Blake Lynch.

They signed punter Matt Haack, who participated in rookie minicamp as a tryout player along with punter Ty Long.

Fry was signed to a futures deal after the season but, following the re-signing of kicker Matt Prater, his presence on the roster became redundant.

Lynch spent some time on the practice squad last season before getting signed to a futures deal in January.

Jones appeared in four games last season as an undrafted rookie. He bounced between the active roster and the practice squad.

Haack will now compete with Nolan Cooney for the punting job.

He played collegiately at Arizona State and has been in the NFL since 2017, never missing a game.

He played his first four seasons with the Miami Dolphins and then played one season each with the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts.

He has a career punting average of 44.5 yards and net average of 39.9 yards. He had 28 punts downed inside the 20.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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