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Arizona Cardinals can move on with different punter in 2021

By Jim Koch

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Kevin Huber #10 of the Cincinnati Bengals punts during the second half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Kevin Huber #10 of the Cincinnati Bengals punts during the second half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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For the past four seasons, Andy Lee has been a savior of sorts for the Arizona Cardinals special teams. The acquisition of the veteran punter back in 2017 was one of the most productive moves that Steve Keim ever made. The Cards general manager watched the squad suffer at that position for quite some time before Lee flocked to the desert and straightened things out.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Lee, who’s scheduled to become a free agent in a couple of weeks, did not have a great campaign for Arizona last fall. The 38-year old averaged 44.8 yards per punt in 2020, a number which ranked him at an extremely unimpressive 26th in the NFL.

It could very well be time for the Cardinals to move on from Lee, and there are several free agent options for the organization to choose from. A group of players who could quite possibly get the team’s punting statistics back to a respectable level.

Ryan Allen, a 6’2, 215 pounder, walked away with three Super Bowl rings during his six campaigns with the New England Patriots. The former undrafted free agent punted for both the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts last season. Allen, who was credited with 14 punts, ranked 6th in the league with a 48.6 yards per boot average.

Another possibility for the Cards is Kevin Huber, a longtime member of the Cincinnati Bengals. The 35=year old averaged 47.2 yards on 71 punts last year. Huber was voted to the Pro Bowl following an outstanding performance for the Bengals back in 2014.

Jordan Berry, a 29-year old from Australia, has been the punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2015. In 2020, the 6’5, 195 pounder punted 57 times, averaging 45.8 yards per kick. Berry entered the league six years ago as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Kentucky University.

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One more possible replacement for Lee is Pat O’Donnell, a free agent from the Chicago Bears. The former sixth-round draft pick was credited with a 45.7 average on his 64 punts in the “Windy City” last season. O’Donnell was selected 191th-overall by the Bears back in 2014.

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