Andy Groom cut by the Bucs!

[MAATOPDOGG]

SEVEN PLAYERS CUT: The Bucs continued to pare their roster Sunday, cutting seven more players, including former Ohio State punter Andy Groom.

Pro Football Talk

[jporterweb]

They had him competing for the starting job. If they thought he had a chance, I think we should bring him in.

[NCskinsfanatic]

Hello practice squad.As we all talked about recently Barker has a propensity for slacking off and shanking one at the worst possible time.Didnt we talk about drafting him this past year?

[TexSkin]

Barker has looked pretty good this pre season but would still like some insurance....this guy would be perfect for the PS.

[Spence]

I just can't see Spurrier giving a practice squad spot to a punter.

[PennSkinsFan]

Nope. I knew it would it shake this way. Our source had been telling us that Barker has people in the front office who support him.

[Redskinfan29]

Maybe Groom is nothing special?

[CarMike]

I read where Groom is averaging 41 yards per punt.....

And Barnard is averaging 43 yards per punt......

[RedskinRyan]

i wanted the skins to get barnard or duval from auburn

[RedskinNation]

I'll take a 13 year veteran over a rookie everyday...even Barker, despite last season. He's a solid punter (and holder) with a solid career. E-v-e-r-y punter shanks 'em once in a while. Heck, even Tiger Woods shanks a drive once in a while. It's part of the game, just like INT's and fumbles.

Note that if a punter is getting 4.+ seconds or more hangtime, which I think Barker consistently does, a low net average is more on the special teams unit than on the punter. Special teams has got to cover and tackle. Barker only had 5 or 6 touchbacks all of last season....and our opponents had the 2nd highest punt return average in the NFL last season (14.3). That means we aren't tackling.

By the way, Barker's preseason stats have his gross average at nearly 46, his net at 38 and 3 kicks inside the 20.

p.s. you don't put a punter on the practice squad.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Originally posted by RedskinNation
I'll take a 13 year veteran over a rookie everyday...even Barker, despite last season. He's a solid punter (and holder) with a solid career. E-v-e-r-y punter shanks 'em once in a while. Heck, even Tiger Woods shanks a drive once in a while. It's part of the game, just like INT's and fumbles.

Note that if a punter is getting 4.+ seconds or more hangtime, which I think Barker consistently does, a low net average is more on the special teams unit than on the punter. Special teams has got to cover and tackle. Barker only had 5 or 6 touchbacks all of last season....and our opponents had the 2nd highest punt return average in the NFL last season (14.3). That means we aren't tackling.

By the way, Barker's preseason stats have his gross average at nearly 46, his net at 38 and 3 kicks inside the 20.

p.s. you don't put a punter on the practice squad.

RedskinNation, that town your from, is it close to the state capitol?

[Patrick]

Barker has done alright this preseason - BUT wait till the regular season, his numbers will drop. I'm not that impressed with him. Give me the rookie from Maryland - for 4 years that kid had a knack of getting the ball inside the 20 and almost always delievered that "BOOMING" punt when the Terps needed it the most.

[CarMike]

I can't stress it enough........Barker caused us several games last year. How does a Punter cause a team several games? Field position! I can't remember the #s right now but I know we were dead last in allowing teams to start drives on our side of the field.

I cannot bring myself to trust Barker. Not untill he shows that he can do it consistently during the regular season...

[Skaggsrules]

Originally posted by CarMike
I can't stress it enough........Barker caused us several games last year. How does a Punter cause a team several games? Field position! I can't remember the #s right now but I know we were dead last in allowing teams to start drives on our side of the field.

I cannot bring myself to trust Barker. Not untill he shows that he can do it consistently during the regular season...

I think you mean he COST us not caused us

[Patrick]

I know what Mike ment and I toally agree with him.

[Spence]

He had a 30 yard net average last year. That was the lowest in the league. Lowest I'd ever seen. Not all of it was his fault, of course. He punted poorly, but we couldn't cover a punt to save our lives [or a game] last year. Or the year before. Or the year before. Or the year...

[RedskinNation]

It looks like that 30 yard net is over 6 yards less than his career net average...so I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's looking strong in the preseason. He had some bad punts last year, but as long as he kicks them 40 yards+ with 4 second+ hangtime, he's doing his job. A punter's net average is truly affected by the other 10 guys that are supposed to tackle.

If a punter kicks one 45 yards with a 4.5 hangtime, and the returner runs it back 80 yards for a touchdown, the punter's net is -35 yards. Who's fault is that?

[Brokenstriker]

if barker punts like he has in the last 3 games ... we got all the punter anyone could need ... he's been much more than excellent

[camasterton]

If Groom had chosen to sign with the Skins, he might be our punter now. Back in the spring, Barker was persona non grata. He might have been released and Groom and another FA would have battled it out. Groom had visions of Super Bowls with Tampa Bay. I think he made a big mistake.

[IowaSkinsFan]

I thought Groom was drafted by the Bucs?

[jporterweb]

Originally posted by robert11273
I thought Groom was drafted by the Bucs?

Nope, undrafted fa. I guess he thought he had a chance to actually beat out Tupa and play for Super Bowl Champs. Instead of easily beat out Barker and play for this years Super Bowl Champs.

[Hailyeah]

I'm with those that are very skeptical of Barker. It would be tough to say: Let's cut the 'open nasal fractured' one and blindly bring in Grooms. No, actually, it wouldn't be that difficult. Because Grooms couldn't beat out Tupa is not much of a knock against him. I'd say be bold and make the switch on this one.

[jporterweb]

Originally posted by Hailyeah
I'm with those that are very skeptical of Barker. It would be tough to say: Let's cut the 'open nasal fractured' one and blindly bring in Grooms. No, actually, it wouldn't be that difficult. Because Grooms couldn't beat out Tupa is not much of a knock against him. I'd say be bold and make the switch on this one.

My sentiments exactly man, but we could just be considered biased ya know?

[PennSkinsFan]

I'll be different here. I'll give the bene of doubt to Barker. We brought in two youngers guys, they competed, Barker excelled, case closed. Barker won the job, fair and square. If he reverts back to the way he played, guys like Groom, Barnard, and others are a dime a dozens, unemployed. But we told Barker his job was in danger, it would take phenomenal effort to win it, and he has done just that.

[rskinsfan10]

I'm with PSF on this.

I also think that in the back of Barker's mind he knows that if he falters the FO will bring someone else in mid-season in a heartbeat. I don't think that complacency is an option for Barker, and if he's smart he knows this.