Packers claim punter Jacob Schum, release Tim Masthay

[Deleted member 6794]

It seems the team wasn't confident in the incumbent starter after all.

 

[mongoosev]

WHAT?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Schum appeared in all 16 games for the Buccaneers last season averaging 41.9 yards per punt (38.0 net) on 56 attempts last season. He had 15 punts downed inside the opponent's 20 yard line and a long of 60 yards.

Taking a look at those numbers, especially for a team playing in a warm climate, I'm baffled by the move.

 

[Pkrjones]

Comparing stats on NFL.com Schum's average is 41.9 yds in '15, Masthay's was 43.9 yds. Coaches must've seen something they like in Schum, or this may be the beginning of "who's the punter this week?". GB will save about $700K against the cap, though!

 

[Vrill]

LOL, wow. Interesting. Maybe they wanted a veteran to replace Timmy. Jacob is 27. Been around a bit it seems. Spent some time with the Jets too.

What FA punters are still out there?

 

[G0P4ckG0]

W.T.F.!?!?

 

[Poppa San]

What FA punters are still out there?

Don't know but there will be a lot more on Saturday than there are today.

 

[Vrill]

Bigger question is, who holds for FG's now? A backup QB? Maybe Rodgers?

 

[Zartan]

OOOOH

Incumbent Mastay survives primary battle but loses the General to Schum.

This better not bite us in the *** in the season at some point. I sware if we lose in the Playoffs due to a crappy punter Ill lose it.

 

[C-Lee]

lolwhat

 

[Vrill]

I wouldn't be so sure that this is permanent. Somebody else might be our punter on opening day. Its strange to think that we are "all in" with Schum. Another round of cuts are coming, more punters will be on the market. Schum might not impress at all in the last preseason game. In fact, we might even sign another punter between now and the preseason finale. So I wouldn't read too much into this for now. The situation seems fluid.

However, what this DOES tell me is that the staff is tired of Masthay and are replacing him one way or another.

 

[Pkrjones]

Bigger question is, who holds for FG's now? A backup QB? Maybe Rodgers?

Schum and Cobb listed in depth chart.

FA Punters cut today: Britton Colquit-Denver, Jeff Scifres - Carolina, Will Monday - Pitt (who??), Peter Mortell-GB (!!)

 

[Mondio]

OOOOH

Incumbent Mastay survives primary battle but loses the General to Schum.

This better not bite us in the *** in the season at some point. I sware if we lose in the Playoffs due to a crappy punter Ill lose it.

one guy couldn' beat out Masthay, and Masthay is still inconsistent and he boomed plenty of punts that should have downed someone inside the 20, and shanked many that should have been boomed. he looks the same this year as he did last year. I'm not sorry to see him go, Is this guy better? i'm willing to keep looking till we find one that is.

 

[adambr2]

TT is a bit of a ******. Didn't want to keep Masthay but didn't want to give fans the satisfaction of keeping Mortell.

 

[Scotland Yard]

Masthay's average net yardage this preseason was about 31 I believe, at a cost of $1.2million. Schum netted 38 last season in a muggy climate and only costs about half a million this year. Considering Masthay's meltdown in the playoff game vs. AZ on top of it all, TT is seeing this as no worse than a lateral move that saves $700,000.

However....

With Bridgewater & Romo down, we now have one of the easiest schedules of all time on tap. Therefore, I'd like to see TT pick up Colquitt to help insure home field advantage in the NFC. Colquitt is fully acclimated to cold weather and the pressure of punting in several big playoff games. Top notch punter falls right into the Packers' lap if TT wants it.

 

[azrsx05]

I bet we see Masthay back. I feel this is more of a salary decision. Once Masthay sees no one wants him as a free agent. He will come back to the Packers at a cheaper pay.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Strange move indeed.

 

[NelsonsLongCatch]

PUNTER TALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HardRightEdge]

Masthay's average net yardage this preseason was about 31

According to ESPN stats, Masthay's net was 40.2 last season. Schum's was 38.0.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Mixed feelings. Definitely not a Masthay fan so, not shedding tears, but figured with a week left until the real stuff starts, I just assumed they would dance with the devil they know rather scrap some guy off the waiver wire that doesn't appear to be significantly better. As for stats, the stats for Masthay indicate that I shouldn't have been swearing at him on the TV as much as I did last year, but.. I was.

 

[Mondio]

Mixed feelings. Definitely not a Masthay fan so, not shedding tears, but figured with a week left until the real stuff starts, I just assumed they would dance with the devil they know rather scrap some guy off the waiver wire that doesn't appear to be significantly better. As for stats, the stats for Masthay indicate that I shouldn't have been swearing at him on the TV as much as I did last year, but.. I was.

You swore because your eyes were telling the story that stats were missing. He was "good" because we had a tremendous coverage team last year. He was worthy of being cut for every time we needed a 45yd+ punt and he'd shank it 30 yards out of bounds at midfield. Or when we needed to pin them inside the 10 and he'd blast it out of the end zone.

 

[Ogsponge]

I have not seen any preseason games but I could have sworn that I read that I petrol kid had a 48 net average in the preseason, if that s true, what am I missing? Why would they cut him?

 

[RRyder]

Mixed feelings. Definitely not a Masthay fan so, not shedding tears, but figured with a week left until the real stuff starts, I just assumed they would dance with the devil they know rather scrap some guy off the waiver wire that doesn't appear to be significantly better. As for stats, the stats for Masthay indicate that I shouldn't have been swearing at him on the TV as much as I did last year, but.. I was.

Well now you get to see someone that they scraped off the waiver wire that looks significantly worse..... The Devil you know.

This move makes zero freaking sense to begin with and then when you factor in he's Crosbys holder it's truly a WTF moment

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This move makes zero freaking sense to begin with and then when you factor in he's Crosbys holder it's truly a WTF moment

I can only guess that the photos that Masthay has been holding for the past 2 years of TT in compromising positions turned out to be a bluff and TT finally said "enough is enough" and called his bluff.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I truly hope this move doesn't mean Schum will be the Packers punter week 1 at Jacksonville as that would mean Thompson somehow managed to end up with a worse player at the position than Masthay. Never mind that the newby hasn't taken a single snap as the holder for Crosby on field goal attempts.

I really have a hard time understanding the reason for this transaction.

If the possible cap savings of $675K truly is that important to the general manager then the team is in an even worse salary cap situation than I thought. Even if money was the reason why not hold on to Mortell who spent all offseason with the team???