bubba9497 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Redskins figure Mohr is better for punting http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2005/082005/08302005/125879/printer_friendly ASHBURN--Just when the Washington Redskins roster should be rounding into shape, coach Joe Gibbs finds himself trying to sort out a pair of 39-year-old punters. With Tom Tupa struggling to return from a back injury, the Redskins signed 16-year veteran Chris Mohr yesterday. Youngster Andy Groom is also in camp, but Mohr has essentially been given two practices and one exhibition game to show whether he can hold down the job. "Fortunately, in my position, I don't have to learn plays or new formations--it's just catch it and kick it. That's pretty universal throughout the league," Mohr said. "So I'll just keep doing what I've been doing for 15 years. It's just a different venue, different city." The job was supposed to belong to Tupa, who led the NFC with a 44.1 average last season and was fourth in the league with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line. Groom, who never has punted in a regular season game, was expected to provide token competition during training camp. But Tupa strained his back while warming up before the Aug. 19 exhibition game against Cincinnati. He has missed two games and has been examined by two doctors. Gibbs planned to review the latest doctor's report last night. Groom has punted well, averaging 42.3 yards with six punts inside the 20 and one touchback. He has a powerful leg but lacks Tupa's directional skills. Like Tupa, Groom is from Ohio State. He failed to make Tampa Bay's roster in 2003--losing the job to Tupa--and tried again without success with San Francisco last year. Unsure if Groom is the right choice, the Redskins decided to take a look at a known quantity. Mohr was available, having been released by Atlanta in March. "He's got tons of experience, and he's a very good holder," coach Joe Gibbs said. "We felt like it was somebody we need to look at." Mohr played 10 years for Buffalo and four for Atlanta. He has a career 40.4 average, and his 40.6 last season ranked 13th of 15 NFC punters. The Falcons cut him because they wanted a punter who also could handle kickoffs. Mohr said he got invited to a couple of training camps this summer to compete against younger players, but he chose the Redskins because he wanted something "more definite." "At this stage of my career I don't want to come in and compete," Mohr said. "You know what I can do." Mohr's ability as a holder helps his cause. Tupa was the holder last year, and Groom is also a holder. Mohr will punt in Thursday's preseason game against Baltimore. Gibbs wants to have the punter situation decided by Saturday, when teams must set their 53-man roster for the regular season. The addition of Mohr came on a day filled with subtractions. Thirteen players were cut and another was given an injury settlement, reducing the roster to 73. The only notable casualties were receiver Darnerien McCants and linebacker Jared Newberry. McCants, a 2001 fifth-round draft pick from Delaware State, caught 27 passes for 360 yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdown receptions two years ago. He was rewarded with a three-year contract when Gibbs replaced Steve Spurrier. But McCants' questionable practice habits and his lack of value on special teams meant he was unable to get much time on the field under Gibbs. McCants was inactive for 10 games last season and finished with five catches for 71 yards. "Any time you don't play [special] teams, it hurts you," Gibbs said. "You've got to be a legit starter if you're going to do that." Newberry was a sixth-round draft pick from Stanford this year but made little impact during training camp. He was expected to add depth to a linebacking corps that lost Antonio Pierce to free agency. Also cut were tight end Billy Baber, defensive back Charles Byrd, running back Jonathan Combs, running back Brock Forsey, receiver Steven Harris, defensive lineman Charles Howard, defensive lineman Jerome Nichols, linebacker Clifton Smith, quarterback Bryson Spinner, kicker Jeff Chandler and offensive lineman Josh Warner. Running back Dahrran Diedrick was released with an injury settlement. Notes Rookie linebacker Robert McCune strained a groin muscle during practice. Safety Matt Bowen was released from the hospital Sunday with a bruised chest from Friday's game against Pittsburgh. Various tests found no internal injuries. He's expected to resume practicing next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McMetal Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 "Fortunately, in my position, I don't have to learn plays or new formations--it's just catch it and kick it. That's pretty universal throughout the league," Mohr said. "So I'll just keep doing what I've been doing for 15 years. It's just a different venue, different city." Nice. Sounds like a guy who will really play his guts out for us. Whatever, show this journeyman the door and give the job to Groom. I bet he'd actually be excited to wear a Redskins jersey, instead of thinking of it as just another stop in his career. We've had too many players drift in and out over the past few years that aren't appreciative of the rich history of this franchise. Here's hoping his rent-a-leg doesn't make the team. Give the kid a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Agree with McMetal, this guy sounds like a jerk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkyalligator Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 yup...I want Groom because he does a good job...is young and is cheap...I believe that Tupa has a 900k salary or something like that this year..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I know Gibbs prefers veteran kickers and I usually do as well, but Mohr's 40.6 yard average last year was one slot away from being at the bottom in the NFC. He is a good directional kicker, but is going to give us problems when we are backed up and need a 50 yarder to change the field position game. At this point, I would consider going with Groom if he punts well against the Ravens. Yes, a guy 23 with training camp experience is going to lack the polish to his short game that guys like Tupa and Mohr have, but his leg is strong enough to boot the team out of trouble deep and while he has kicked long he has not outkicked his coverages. In the last game, Groom actually did a good job of punting in the short game, downing a number of balls inside the 20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCnDaHouse Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I thought Groom did a fine job the last game (Steelers). MC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MumboSauce Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Yeah Groom looked good to me this preseason...but I'll obviously go with whatever the coaches decide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Probably picking up Mohr to put pressure on Groom and see how he handles it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan999 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 "At this stage of my career I don't want to come in and compete," Mohr said. "You know what I can do." Yea this is a guy we really should have on our team. I agree with McMetal. Show this guy the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herb mul-key Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Nice. Sounds like a guy who will really play his guts out for us.Whatever, show this journeyman the door and give the job to Groom. I bet he'd actually be excited to wear a Redskins jersey, instead of thinking of it as just another stop in his career. We've had too many players drift in and out over the past few years that aren't appreciative of the rich history of this franchise. Here's hoping his rent-a-leg doesn't make the team. Give the kid a shot. Yea stick with the kid, show Mohr the door!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visionary Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Tupa Placed On Injured Reserve By Gary Fitzgerald Redskins.com August 30, 2005 The Redskins are expected to place punter Tom Tupa on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, ending the 17-year veteran's season. Tupa suffered a back injury during warm-ups before the Aug. 19 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a series of doctor visits over the last two weeks, Tupa met with head coach Joe Gibbs and team officials on Tuesday to discuss his status. The decision was made to put Tupa on Injured Reserve. The Redskins signed veteran punter Chris Mohr on Monday. Mohr, a 16-year vet who has played previously with the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is expected to compete with first-year punter Andy Groom in the next week for the Redskins' punting job. Both Mohr and Groom also have experience serving as holders. Tupa served as the holder for long snapper Ethan Albright and kicker John Hall last season. http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=9669 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bounty Hunter #21 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Mohr is a very solid punter...i dont mind the pick up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 "At this stage of my career I don't want to come in and compete," Mohr said. "You know what I can do."Yea this is a guy we really should have on our team. I agree with McMetal. Show this guy the door. :laugh: i'm going to do that on a job interview. slam my resume down and say, "what is there to discuss? you know what i can do". :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chow184 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Mohr is a very solid punter...i dont mind the pick up no he isn't........ did you see his 15 yard punt(the falcons were in falcons territory, so he should have boomed it) against philly in the NFC championship game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 at least we'll still have the biggest kickers in the league- Hall is 6'3" and Mohr is 6'5" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 We'll be making a big mistake if we let Groom get away from us. He's been around long enough now to have learned how the league works and seems to have improved on his major weaknesses (the directional stuff) somewhat. Let the old complacent guy walk. Keep Groom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 :laugh: i'm going to do that on a job interview. slam my resume down and say, "what is there to discuss? you know what i can do". :cool: :laugh: I'd pay to see a hidden camera of that happenin'! If I won the lottery, I think I'd go on job interviews just for kicks, do somethin' like that. "hey, I didn't come to this company to grow, I'm comin' to this company to get P-A-I-D. And if I ain't gettin it here, I'll go elsewhere to get the lucchini." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallen5862 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I say we should keep Groom. I think Mohr or another punter would be available later on if needed. Groom also was the holder for Hall during the preseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truant Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 :laugh: i'm going to do that on a job interview. slam my resume down and say, "what is there to discuss? you know what i can do". :cool: :notworthy LOL! What... an arrogant punter?!? PLEASE keep Groom!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangee7 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 I don't know why we picked up Mohr. Obviously, Groom isn't on solid footing. Hopefully he can hold up & make the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDSKNfaithfull Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 I think Brian Barker was released today :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeythetapeworm Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Nice. Sounds like a guy who will really play his guts out for us.Whatever, show this journeyman the door and give the job to Groom. I bet he'd actually be excited to wear a Redskins jersey, instead of thinking of it as just another stop in his career. We've had too many players drift in and out over the past few years that aren't appreciative of the rich history of this franchise. Here's hoping his rent-a-leg doesn't make the team. Give the kid a shot. I agree with you all that Mohr doesn't appear to have the world's best personality, but guys, he's a punter! Isn't it always the kicker/punter who's a little bit odd? Personally I hope that the coaching staff picks the punter who they determine to be best for the team, not necessarily the nicest one. For the record, I expect the winner to be Groom based on his younger age and more powerful leg. I don't care either way if Mohr doesn't give the best interviews, but I don't like what people are saying about him having a weak leg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselPwr44 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 "Fortunately, in my position, I don't have to learn plays or new formations--it's just catch it and kick it. That's pretty universal throughout the league," Mohr said. "So I'll just keep doing what I've been doing for 15 years. It's just a different venue, different city." I don't see why anyone would have a problem with this statement, because it's the truth. 80% of all kickers/punters are journeymen. They're on top of their game one season,cut the next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atloldskin Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Hey guys, you need a holder too and we don't have an extra slot for that. Groom will be gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselPwr44 Posted August 31, 2005 Share Posted August 31, 2005 Hey guys, you need a holder too and we don't have an extra slot for that. Groom will be gone. Groom was the holder for Hall last week. Tupa was the holder last year, and Groom is also a holder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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