We've been trying to trade Brun

And some figures on Bashir's signing.


Sauerbrun's days with Panthers numbered
Team has been trying to trade him for more than a month


By Darin Gantt The Herald
(Published April 1‚ 2005)


CHARLOTTE -- It won't necessarily happen soon. But when it happens, it won't be just because of "60 Minutes."
According to multiple league sources, the Carolina Panthers have been trying to trade punter Todd Sauerbrun for more than a month. If they can't trade him, they plan to release him before the start of training camp, ending his tumultuous stay here.

Sauerbrun has been surrounded by controversy throughout his career, and it would be easy to assume his inclusion in a recent steroid investigation was the last straw. However, the talented but troubled punter has given the Panthers plenty of ammunition in the past year alone, and it seems it was enough even before it was reported he was prescribed steroids just before Super Bowl XXXVIII. Panthers general manager Marty Hurney wouldn't comment Thursday night on Sauerbrun's future. His agent, David Canter, said he wasn't sure what would happen but didn't want to comment further.

Several credible sources indicated that the Panthers have been trying to trade him since the middle of February, well before the steroid allegations. At this point, it's hard to imagine another team giving anything for him, which means the Panthers will most likely cut Sauerbrun and move on.

According to the report on "60 Minutes Wednesday," Sauerbrun was given a prescription for testosterone cream as well as syringes and the injectable steroid Stanozolol. Both substances are prohibited by the NFL's steroid policy, though he has never tested positive for anything.

While the team would seemingly want to get rid of him in the wake of the report for the public relations boost alone, there are many other factors.

He angered them last season by issuing an ultimatum through the media in the wake of kicker John Kasay's injury. After he kicked the game-winning field goal at San Francisco, Sauerbrun told reporters he'd only kick the following week if the team rebated money he had been fined for being overweight. The team had no intention of doing so and signed another kicker until Kasay was well (which they planned to do anyway).

He had previously gotten on the nerves of the organization with his continuous war of words with the Gramatica brothers. Then came an arrest for speeding and driving while impaired in December, for which he's still awaiting trial.

Also, he's forfeited a $100,000 workout bonus by staying away from the team's offseason conditioning program this spring.

It's a dizzying array of issues, all the more stunning since they made him their franchise player two years ago and gave him the richest contract ever for a punter. Sauerbrun's scheduled to make a base salary of $1.2 million this year, and remains under contract through 2007.

They signed former Kansas City punter Steve Cheek on Feb. 18, about a month before the steroid investigation became public. His signing came at about the same time they began shopping Sauerbrun for a mid-round pick in this year's draft.

Cheek isn't nearly the punter the three-time Pro Bowler is, but he's easily less of a headache and much cheaper. Cheek signed a two-year deal with a modest signing bonus and will make a base salary of $305,000 if he makes the team.

The Panthers are the sixth NFL team Cheek has worked for, including training camp appearances with Houston, San Francisco, Philadelphia and the New York Giants. In 42 career punts, Cheek has a 39.1-yard gross average, a 34.4-yard net average (which includes the return) and has landed 19.0 percent of his kicks inside the 20.

By comparison, Sauerbrun has 760 punts for a 44.0-yard career gross, a 38.7-yard net and 29.5 percent of his punts fell inside the 20.

Given Cheek's lack of experience, the Panthers will almost certainly take another punter to camp for competition. Veterans such as Sean Landeta, Chris Mohr, Bryan Barker, Tom Rouen and former Panther Ken Walter are still available through free agency.

(sq) BASHIR SIGNED: The Panthers added depth at safety Thursday by signing Indianapolis free agent Idrees Bashir.

The 2001 second-round pick (37th overall) started 13 games for the Colts last year and 51 in his four pro seasons.

The 6-foot-2, 198-pounder has battled through injuries and has just five interceptions. But he becomes the Panthers' second-most experienced safety behind only Mike Minter, and he'll challenge incumbent starter Colin Branch for the starting free safety job.

Bashir signed a one-year contract worth near the league minimum of $540,000.

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If I remember correctly, Ken Walter wasn't that bad when he was here.

 

I wonder if he will have any draft day value. I wouldn't mind moving up with the 2nd pick to get a guard or WR that may be falling.

 

He was pretty decent in net ydg and in-20's, but always had a noodle leg. Rouen and Mohr have the stronger legs, so I'd prefer one of them over the others.

 

Then you don't remember correctly, because he was possibly the worst punter in the league when here

 

Just say no to Ken Walter

 

I'll be one of the first to admit that my memory is not that great.

Rouen had a hamstring injury last year, wonder if that's got lingering effects?

Mohr played for the Falcons, but I never paid enough attention to know if he's worth anything.

Wow. Sean Landeta is over 40 (born in 1962). Don't think we need him.

Doesn't look like there's a whole lot to choose from out there in the free agency market right now:

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=149&p=9&c=12&nid=83&lnid=83&pid=36

 

Walter wasn't the worst, statistically, but he never really was an asset. Wasn't good with the Pats, either. You'd figure that if the guy who taught him to punt - Scotty O back in Cleveland - couldn't get that much out of him, he wasn't going to get any better.

Nick Harris seems the best "fit" if we're looking for a true replacement, rather than looking for a different style - Hanson wouldn't be bad.

 

Possible Draftees

Dustin Colquitt 6-2, 210 Tennessee

Strengths: A master at pinning opponents inside the twenty...Gets excellent hang time...Very strong leg...Can pooch punt or kick the ball for distance...Good size and solid athletic ability for the position...Prolific college player.

Weaknesses: A little slow and may need to speed up his motion once in the pros...Can be a little more consistent...Has had a couple of punts blocked.

Notes: A weapon in the battle for field position...One of the best punters to come along in a while and a legitimate first day prospect...Father and brother were also punters for the Vols.
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Matt Payne 6-4, 229 B.Y.U.

Strengths: Versatile and has kicked and punted during his days in Provo...Has very good leg strength...Mature individual...Can punt for distance or pin the opponent inside the twenty...Good size and athletic ability...Can also kickoff.

Weaknesses: Only average as a field goal kicker...Not as accurate as you would like...Didn't concentrate on just one position in college.

Notes: Statistically one of the best punters in the country...Will probably get drafted late and has a good chance of making an NFL team.
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Cole Farden 5-10, 205 Oklahoma St.

Strengths: Excellent leg strength...Also a tremendous prospect for kickoffs...Decent athletic ability...Has a lot of experience but is still improving.

Weaknesses: Will out-kick his coverage at times...Improving but still needs to work on his directional and pooch punting skills.

Notes: Originally a native of Hawaii...Great leg will give him a chance to be drafted...Could be one of the top punters in this draft when all is said and done.
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Reggie Hodges 6-0, 226 Ball St.

Strengths: Had a big senior season averaging 42.6 yards per with a long of 65...Excels at pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line...Can be a weapon in the field position game.

Weaknesses: Will have some punts blocked including 4 in 2004 alone...Doesn't have booming leg stength...Did not play in 2003 and sat out to focus on his studies.

Notes: Underrated player who was invited to the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and could be a late round pick or top undrafted free agent.
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Adam Finley 6-3, 221 Michigan

Strengths: Is very consistent...Has a lot of experience...Has been one of the better punters in the Big 10 and the nation...Can pin opponents and is a weapon in the field position game...Very smart.

Weaknesses: Doesn't have a super strong leg and isn't going to impress you by bombing his punts...Physical tools are only average.

Notes: One of the most prolific punters in college football...Was invited to the combine and will likely get a shot in the pros, whether it be as a late round pick or undrafted free agent.
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Bryce Benekos 6-5, 227 UTEP

Strengths: Has a strong leg...Punts the ball well directionally...Good size...Ranked among the best in the nation with his average.

Weaknesses: Needs to continue improving his technique and mechanics...Still getting better and not yet a finished product.

Notes: Prospect on the rise...Finished his career strong the last couple of seasons...Has a shot to be drafted.

 

I've been pimping Payne, but oddly enough the combine worked him out as a kicker - where he fits better as a punter. Colquitt's obviously decent, but I wouldn't draft a punter that high. Farden's not bad, I guess.

We've got enough late round picks taht we don't otherwise need, that we could easily grab a guy here. I've never thought Cheek was anything more than competition, and having a guy who's played a few NFL games makes more sense to compete with a draftee.