Tag: Tommy Townsend

2024 NFL Draft: Legendary kicker Robbie Gould on his experience as an undrafted player

Legendary kicker Robbie Gould told #Chiefs Wire’s @EdEastonJr about his experience as an undrafted player during a recent interview

The NFL Draft has been essential for the Kansas City Chiefs during their run of success. Over the years, many of the Chiefs’ draft picks have contributed to their Super Bowl titles, but the franchise also has multiple undrafted free agents.

The Chiefs have struck gold with undrafted free agents, like former players Tommy Townsend, Shane Buechele, and Jody Fortson. Tershawn Wharton is still a significant contributor to the defensive line.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. sat down recently with Chicago Bears great and former 18-year kicker Robbie Gould to discuss his thoughts on going undrafted, which motivated him to a successful career.

“It doesn’t matter when your name gets called or if it doesn’t get called at all,” Gould explained. “It’s all about just getting an opportunity. So some of these guys, sometimes if you go on the later rounds, it’s not even a great spot for you because it might not be a perfect fit for that kid. So to me, it’s if you get an opportunity, whether it be by draft or whether it be a free agent tryout or whether it’s a free agency period for the offseason.”

Former Kansas State defensive back Ekow Boye-Doe was a recent example of overcoming the odds and making the Chiefs’ active roster midway through the 2023 season. As an undrafted free agent, Boye-Doe was cut after training camp but retained on the practice squad and eventually earned playing time due to injuries in Kansas City’s secondary.

“It’s just taking advantage of [the opportunity] and showcasing what you can do and that even though you miss, you can bounce back, and the reality is to compete,” Gould continued. “That’s what you’re [going to] do. If you’re getting drafted, you’re going to compete with somebody, whether it’s yourself or somebody on the roster. You’re competing for that job.

“I was an undrafted guy, so I was just hungrier to make the roster cut a few times. It made me work harder. Sometimes, it’s all about everyone having their own journey, and [enjoying] it. Know that there [are] ups and downs, and hopefully, what you put into it is what you get out of it.”

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach constantly monitors the free agent market in the days after the draft, proving it doesn’t always matter if your name is called.

At the end of the day, players only need to contribute to their team to carve out a role for themselves in the NFL.

NFL rumors: Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend expected to sign with Texans

Former Kansas City #Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend is expected to sign with the Houston #Texans.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs will have a new punter for the 2024 season. Tommy Townsend is expected to sign a two-year, six-million-dollar deal with the Houston Texans, leaving the Chiefs after four seasons.

Townsend’s future with Kansas City appeared to be in doubt following the recent signing of veteran punter Matt Araiza. The former Florida Gator was signed in 2020 by the Chiefs after going undrafted and immediately became the full-time starting punter after the team decided to move on from Dustin Colquitt.

Townsend followed Colquitt’s 15 seasons in Kansas City with an efficient tenure of his own, making his fair share of memorable plays from the punter’s position.

Townsend’s best season was in 2022 when he earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors in September and AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his Week 15 game against the Texans. He also finished the year as a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro with 53 punts for 2,672 net yards and a 50.42 average, while the Chiefs went on to win their first of two consecutive titles in Super Bowl LVII.

2024 NFL free agency: Texans get C+ for Day 1

The Houston Texans kicked off free agency with a mixed bag of signings that left fans wanting more from the front office.

NFL free agency kicked off Monday with the first day of legal tampering, a window in which the NFL allows for free agents to openly negotiate with teams and agree in principle to their respective new deals.

All eyes were on the Houston Texans with their cap space and reported interest in big-name players like defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and running back Saquon Barkley.

However, when the tampering window opened at noon ET, the Texans appeared to be running a tight ship on the contract values they were willing to hand out. High-profile players like Wilkins and Barkley signed elsewhere, whereas the Texans’ first move of the day was to bring back former second-round defensive back and special teamer Lonnie Johnson.

General manager Nick Caserio agreed to a deal with former first-round pick Jeff Okudah later in the afternoon before then agreeing to add former Tennessee Titans defensive end Denico Autry. Bargain shopping continued with a deal for defensive back/special teams player Mike Ford.

Other than Autry, the Texans’ first moves of the 2024 free agency period were all depth or special teams signings.

The Texans made their first semi-major signing in the evening, when they agreed to a deal with former Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on a three-year, $34 deal deal to reunite with DeMeco Ryans – who were both in San Francisco earlier in Al-Shaair’s career. Al-Shaair is a solid addition to tandem up with Christian Harris, after the Texans lost Blake Cashman to the Minnesota Vikings.

Houston capped off the day with two other deals: former All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend and wide receiver Noah Brown, who was one of the most-targeted Texans wideouts in 2023. The Texans lost veteran punter Cam Johnston to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the day.

This is business as usual for Caserio and staff: Signing a lot of bargain players at deals that are not over the top but can provide valuable play. All in all, the Texans get a C+ for Day 1. Losing guys like defensive end Jonathan Greenard, Cashman and running back Devin Singletary certainly hurts, as well as swinging big and missing on players like Barkley and Wilkins.

Day 2 will certainly be another worth watching, as there is still a plethora of talent left out there.

Texans expected to sign ex-Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend

The Houston Texans have a new punter in Tommy Townsend after Cameron Johnston left for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Houston Texans found their new punter.

After Cameron Johnston left for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston agreed to a deal with former Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Townsend’s deal is for two years, $6 million.

Townsend finished the 2023 season with the 17th-most yards per punt this past season with 47.1 and 33.9% of his punts were inside the 20. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 after his punts averaged 50.4 yards per attempt.

Should Bengals consider signing Tommy Townsend?

A Chiefs free agent could help the Bengals this offseason.

After 14 seasons of Kevin Huber keeping the punting game mostly consistent for the Cincinnati Bengals, there were some struggles at the position with Drue Chrisman and 2023 rookie Brad Robbins getting a chance.

The Bengals drafted Robbins with their sixth-round pick in last year’s draft, but he didn’t perform like they hoped he would for the most part.

Now after the Kansas City Chiefs signed Matt Araiza, it seems as if they won’t be re-signing their punter Tommy Townsend.

Over the past four seasons, Townsend has been one of the better punters in the league for the Chiefs and has proven he belongs on an NFL roster, earning first-team All-Pro in 2022 and a Pro Bowl appearance.

Throughout his career, he has averaged 47.4 yards per punt and has had 80 punts inside the 20-yard line, doing so 40.8 percent of the time. He had 20 punts inside the 20 last season, which was the same number as Robbins, but Robbins punted 17 more times than Townsend did.

Robbins has only had one year in the NFL, so he could turn into the player the Bengals hoped he would be with time, but with Townsend about to hit free agency, they should consider signing him to compete with Robbins next season.

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Chiefs make roster move that could land Steelers a new punter

The Steelers could get a huge boost in punting if they sign Tommy Townsend.

This week the Kansas City Chiefs made something of a controversial move when they signed free-agent punter Matt Arazia. The move means the Chiefs are unlikely to pursue former starting punter Tommy Townsend. This could be a huge plus for the Pittsburgh Steelers who are in the market for a punter.

After three lackluster seasons, the Steelers finally decided to cut ties with Pressley Harvin III. This was a move long overdue and now leaves the Steelers with a significant need on special teams. We’ve talked about potential replacements available via the draft or free agency but specifically, Townsend might be just what the team needs if he can recapture his former glory.

The signing of Arazia was as much financial as it was anything else. Townsend had a down year but hardly a bad season. Realistically, it is all about if the Steelers want to pay what Townsend will demand in a contract as one of the best punters in the league. Six punters are set to make at least $3 million in 2024 and I’m sure Townsend wants to make it seven.

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Twitter reacts to Chiefs signing punter Matt Araiza

Users on Twitter reacted to the #Chiefs’ decision to sign punter Matt Araiza on Thursday.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed free agent punter Matt Araiza on Thursday, marking their first significant move of the offseason since winning Super Bowl LVIII.

Araiza, known to his fans as “Punt God”, was a decorated player as a collegian at San Diego State University, earning All-American honors and the Ray Guy Trophy in 2021.

Initially selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Araiza’s professional career was nearly ended by a lawsuit that was dismissed in December.

His signing may mark the end of Tommy Townsend’s tenure in Kansas City, which made some fans feel uneasy about the signing when news of his acquisition by the Chiefs broke this week.

Townsend had become a cherished member of Kansas City’s special teams unit and, with his future now unclear, users on Twitter were quick to react to Araiza’s signing.

Check out their top posts about the move below:

Chiefs sign free agent punter Matt Araiza

The #Chiefs signed punter Matt Araiza on Thursday, a move that could mark the end of Tommy Townsend’s time in Kansas City.

With the cloud of a lawsuit behind him, the Kansas City Chiefs intend to sign former 2022 sixth-round pick Matt Araiza on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team’s first notable move after its victory in Super Bowl LVIII.

Araiza put together an illustrious career at San Diego State that captivated audiences around the country, earning him the nickname “Punt God.”

He was an All-American in college and won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s best collegiate punter in 2021, leading to his selection by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.

That summer he was released, however, after being named in a lawsuit alleging the rape of a 17-year-old girl. Araiza was dropped from the lawsuit in December 2023 in exchange for him dropping a defamation lawsuit against her.

All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend isn’t under contract with the Chiefs for the 2024 season, and Araiza’s addition could be an indication that they are moving on.

While it remains to be seen whether Araiza’s golden leg will be as effective as it was in college, his signing on Thursday is a good sign that Kansas City’s coaching staff is comfortable with his ability to at least compete for a starting spot if Townsend re-signs.

More than any other in history, Super Bowl LVIII was about special teams

More than any other Super Bowl in history, Super Bowl LVIII was defined by two dominant, record-setting special teams units.

LAS VEGAS — When a Super Bowl ends, the temptation is to put a neat little bow on the whole thing. But when a Super Bowl is as uncertain and messy as Super Bowl LVIII was, it’s tougher to find the dominance that mattered in the end. The San Francisco 49ers’ defense, especially its defensive line, was about as good as any could be, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to contain Patrick Mahomes as the Kansas City Chiefs became the first team since the 2003-04 New England Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

Not that the Chiefs were anything special on offense. Mahomes was better in the stat sheet than he was on the field — 34 of 46 for 333 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 99.3. Beyond his frantic final drive to win the game 25-22 in overtime… well, there were issues.

Kansas City’s defense was equal to the 49ers’ challenge, limiting San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy to 23 completions in 38 attempts for 255 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 89.3. Receiver Jauan Jennings was the best passer on the day, completing one pass on one attempt for a 21-yard touchdown to running back Christian McCaffrey.

So, it was a weird game without an obvious winner… except for two. The special teams units of the Chiefs and 49ers. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, here were all the Super Bowl records set in this game:

  • Most Field Goals Made, Career – 9, Harrison Butker
  • Longest Field Goal Made – 57, Harrison Butker
  • Most 50-Yard Field Goals Made, Game – 2, Jake Moody
  • Highest Average Punting, Game – 50.8, Tommy Townsend & Mitch Wishnowsky
  • Most Fumbles Recovered, Career – 4, Patrick Mahomes
  • Most Field Goals Made, Both Teams – 7, Kansas City (4) vs. San Francisco (3)
  • Highest Average Punting, Team – 50.8, Kansas City & San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Returns, Both Teams – 0, Kansas City vs. San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Return Yards, Both Teams – 0, Kansas City vs. San Francisco

And here were all the records tied in this game:

  • Most Field Goals Attempted, Career – 10, Harrison Butker
  • Most Field Goals Made, Game – 4, Harrison Butker
  • Most Fumbles, Career – 5, Patrick Mahomes
  • Most Consecutive Games Won – 2, Kansas City
  • Most Points Overtime Period, Team – 6, Kansas City
  • Most Field Goals Attempted, Both Teams – 7, Kansas City (4) vs. San Francisco (3)
  • Most Field Goals Made, Team – 4, Kansas City
  • Fewest Rushing Touchdowns, Both Teams – 0, Kansas City vs. San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Returns, Team – 0, Kansas City & San Francisco
  • Fewest Kickoff Returns Yards, Team – 0, Kansas City & San Francisco

The common thread, for the most part? Special teams on both sides. 49ers kicker Jake Moody set a Super Bowl record with a 55-yard field goal with 14:48 left in the first half, and he held that record for less than two game quarters, as Harrison Butker outdid him with a 57-yarder with 5:01 left in the third quarter.

So, when the defenses were spinning, and the offenses were sputtering, it was really the special teams that stood out more than just about anything else — and for the Chiefs, it really helped to win the day.

Who woulda thunk it?

Which former Gators are playing in Super Bowl LVIII?

For the 22nd year in a row, a former Florida Gator will play in the Super Bowl, and two could make history with back-to-back rings.

Now that we know which teams are playing in Super Bowl LVIII, we know which former Florida Gators will be a part of the big game.

Several former Gators have played in (and won) Super Bowls. In fact, this is the 22nd Super Bowl in a row to feature a player who spent his college years in Gainesville. Legendary Dallas Cowboys running back Emmit Smith and linebacker Godfrey Myles both won back-to-back Super Bowls in the early ’90s.

This year, five Gators are a part of the two organizations playing for the Lombardi trophy. Let’s take a look at each of them.