RugbyMuffin
ASFN IDOL
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There is no need to bash a career Cardinal.
I wish all the luck to Scott Player.
I wish all the luck to Scott Player.
Scott Player released?
- Thread starter azsouthendzone
- Start date
I always thought Scott actually attempted to be a football player when it came to an actual contact situation. Most, as did the Chargers kicker (eventhough he did prevent the score), run up and fold just before the hit. As a football player that could not stand a punting teammate who would not attempt a hit, I always thought Player made a fair attempt.
Renz
An Army of One
Cardinals Release Player
Long-time punter cut in favor of waiver claim
By DARREN URBAN
Veteran punter Scott Player was released by the Cardinals Wednesday morning.
The Cardinals cut long-time punter Scott Player Wednesday, a day after claiming punter Mike Barr on waivers from Pittsburgh.
Player was the team’s lone remaining player from the Cards’ last playoff appearance in 1998. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2000, and appeared in 140 games over nine seasons in Arizona. He has averaged 43.1 yards a kick in his career.
“It’s never easy to part ways with a veteran who has contributed to the team for as long as Scott has,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement. “At the same time, you have to make decisions based on what’s in the best interests of the football team and we feel this move is. We appreciate all that Scott has contributed to the Cardinals and wish him well.”
Player has averaged 42.6 yards a kick in the preseason on eight punts. Barr averaged 45 yards a kick – and 43.8 yards net – on six punts with Pittsburgh. Barr had history with both Whisenhunt and special teams coach Kevin Spencer, having been to training camp with both with the Steelers from 2004-2006.
Player had also been the holder for kicker Neil Rackers. The new holder is expected to be receiver Sean Morey.
The move means the Cards are back down to 74 players on the roster, one below the maximum.
Long-time punter cut in favor of waiver claim
By DARREN URBAN
Veteran punter Scott Player was released by the Cardinals Wednesday morning.
The Cardinals cut long-time punter Scott Player Wednesday, a day after claiming punter Mike Barr on waivers from Pittsburgh.
Player was the team’s lone remaining player from the Cards’ last playoff appearance in 1998. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2000, and appeared in 140 games over nine seasons in Arizona. He has averaged 43.1 yards a kick in his career.
“It’s never easy to part ways with a veteran who has contributed to the team for as long as Scott has,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement. “At the same time, you have to make decisions based on what’s in the best interests of the football team and we feel this move is. We appreciate all that Scott has contributed to the Cardinals and wish him well.”
Player has averaged 42.6 yards a kick in the preseason on eight punts. Barr averaged 45 yards a kick – and 43.8 yards net – on six punts with Pittsburgh. Barr had history with both Whisenhunt and special teams coach Kevin Spencer, having been to training camp with both with the Steelers from 2004-2006.
Player had also been the holder for kicker Neil Rackers. The new holder is expected to be receiver Sean Morey.
The move means the Cards are back down to 74 players on the roster, one below the maximum.
Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
Player hit his prime a few years ago in terms of distance and hangtime...but one thing he has improved is his pooch punts...he used to almost always carry the ball well into the endzone, and now he has a better feel for it.
His penchant for booting straight, highly returnable punts in key (clutch) situations has been a concern.
His holding for Rackers was consistently excellent. Kudos there.
He will land on his feet with another team...but, whatever team picks him up will most likely request (a.k.a. demand) he abandon the single bar facemask, it's just too outdated, and looks especially silly when he has it drooped below his jaw. It's providing no protection whatsoever...which, after all, is its purpose.
I wish him well...he was a good punter for the Cards for many years.
His penchant for booting straight, highly returnable punts in key (clutch) situations has been a concern.
His holding for Rackers was consistently excellent. Kudos there.
He will land on his feet with another team...but, whatever team picks him up will most likely request (a.k.a. demand) he abandon the single bar facemask, it's just too outdated, and looks especially silly when he has it drooped below his jaw. It's providing no protection whatsoever...which, after all, is its purpose.
I wish him well...he was a good punter for the Cards for many years.
I've always liked the idea of the holder being a threat in the fake and hate that so many teams have the punter holding.
SeattleCard
Back in Arizona!!!
Darn...
Now I'm worried about Rackers. Might cost me fantasy football points!!
Now I'm worried about Rackers. Might cost me fantasy football points!!
JeffGollin
ASFN Icon
I was surprised - especially by the timing of the Barr pickup (4 days before final cutdown). That said, there's no mention on the official Cardinal website of Player being released, so this may be all speculation (though it would be a surprise if Calvisi said it).
I also felt Scott was getting more love by the media over the years than he was actually producing as a punter (as in "consistently punting the ball directly to the other team's home-run hitter instead of keeping the ball away from him"). But he was a solid presence on the team, giving the coaches one thing they didn't have to worry about each year. I wish him well.
Does anyone know if the release of Player (& his $750K salary) and pickup of Barr (& his $265K salary) will actually net out close to a $500K cap saving? If so, could we have made this move in part to free up a little more cap room with little or no adverse impact on our punting production?
Finally, could this be all about assembling a compensation package big enough to bring in - by trade or free agency - someone (a TE, OT or LB) the coaches really want in here?
I also felt Scott was getting more love by the media over the years than he was actually producing as a punter (as in "consistently punting the ball directly to the other team's home-run hitter instead of keeping the ball away from him"). But he was a solid presence on the team, giving the coaches one thing they didn't have to worry about each year. I wish him well.
Does anyone know if the release of Player (& his $750K salary) and pickup of Barr (& his $265K salary) will actually net out close to a $500K cap saving? If so, could we have made this move in part to free up a little more cap room with little or no adverse impact on our punting production?
Finally, could this be all about assembling a compensation package big enough to bring in - by trade or free agency - someone (a TE, OT or LB) the coaches really want in here?
TheCardFan
Things have changed.
Rackers is a big boy...he will get over it.
TheCardFan
Things have changed.
I agree...I think this is 99% hangtime. The yardage and net %'s are pretty close.
They are comfortable with Barr and he is 10yrs younger than Player...it also saves money (guess).
I wish Scott Player well.
However, after stating the first sentence quoted above, why would the second sentence (quoted) make any sense?
Player had many good years, the last few haven't been among them. During the last couple of seasons Player has had one of the worst net averages in the league, and is a liability as the last chance on coverage. He was actually retained by the Cardinals at least a year, possibly two, too long.
He's done. Good move by Whisenhunt and the Cardinals.
Capital Card
The Kobayashi of Kool-Aid
Tip of the hat to a long time Player...no pun intended. It's almost embarrasing that, for a while, Scott was the only probowler on the team.
If the new guy makes us a better team, I'm at the front of the line welcoming him aboard.
By the way, I liked the uniqueness of the uni-bar.
Go Cards!!
If the new guy makes us a better team, I'm at the front of the line welcoming him aboard.
By the way, I liked the uniqueness of the uni-bar.
Go Cards!!
This is an improvement on our punting production, no doubt about it. Player's net this preseason has been around 30 yards per punt. That's atrocious.
Cheaper and better punter who the coaching staff is already familiar with and likes? No brainer.
Your question about whether we are stocking up for some kind of move though is pretty interesting though...
Net yardage isn't close. Barr's net is a yard longer than Player's Gross, and about 13 yards longer than Player's net.
Can anyone offer a reason why Player wasn't let go last preseason, or did he just decline rapidly in the last year?
It's on there now...
See the post by Renz above (post #53 in thread).
Huh!TheCardFan said:
During this years preseason, Barr's net avg. has been greater than Player's gross avg.
I don't know...a lot of us wanted Capshaw to replace him last season.
Player was done last year, IMO. This year is just a year too late.
TheCardFan
Things have changed.
Just noticed the strong resemblance to Wormtail.
TheCardFan
Things have changed.
Pretty sure it was the Rackers argument.
Add to that it's spelled with two r's and HEYO!
So should we call the new guy "Two Barr?"
TheCardFan
Things have changed.
Rebar(r)?
Kismet!
