JOHNSON IN AT PUNTER
By DAVE SPADARO
December 16, 2002
Andy Reid didn't waste any time making a change at punter. The Eagles announced Monday they have signed veteran Lee Johnson, who broke into the NFL in 1985 with the Houston Oilers, to replace Jason Baker.
Baker averaged 34.2 yards per punt in two games after he was signed to replace the injured Sean Landeta. Reid made it clear he was considering options when, during his Monday afternoon press conference he described Baker's performance as "up and down."
Johnson has not punted in the NFL since the 2000 season when he averaged 42.7 yards on 89 punts for New England. Prior to that, Johnson spent three seasons with the Oilers, averaging 41.2 yards per punt, two seasons -- a total of six games -- with the Browns, averaging 36.9 yards per punt, 10 seasons plus 12 games of another season with Cincinnati and the two years with New England.
In Cincinnati, the left-footed Johnson averaged 43.2 yards per punt on 746 kicks. He averaged 42.1 yards with the Patriots.
In his career, Johnson has averaged 42.5 yards on 1,163 punts. He's been one of the most prolific punters in NFL history, ranking first at the time of his last action in New England as the all-time leader with 1,163 punts. His 49,428 yards ranked second behind Rohn Stark and his 302 kicks inside the 20-yard line ranked third behind Jeff Feagles and Landeta. |
