Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

Blake Gillikin spent his rookie year learning everything he could behind longtime Saints punter Thomas Morstead, and now he’ll have to put his skills and knowledge to the test in a training camp competition for the right to replace the fan-favorite specialist. The Saints moved quickly after the 2021 NFL draft to bring in Syracuse punter Nolan Cooney, one of the nation’s best, who went through a pro day workout with the Saints’ special teams coach earlier this spring.

Of course Gillikin was an accomplished punter in his own right. So how do the two of them compare? Let’s look at some stats putting Gillikin’s 2019 season at Penn State against Cooney’s numbers with the Orange in 2020:

Cooney punted 74 times for 3,314 yards in 11 games, averaging 44.8 yards per punt with 3 touchbacks and 24 landing inside the opposing 20-yard line. 25 of his punts traveled 50-plus yards and 14 traveled out of bounds, while 22 were fair catches. 26 of his punts were returned for 170 yards, resulting in a net yards per punt of 41.7, while 9 were downed by his teammates. He posted a long of 64 yards and had no punts blocked.
Gillikin punted 62 times for 2,615 yards in 13 games, averaging 42.2 yards per punt with 4 touchbacks and 32 landing inside the opposing 20-yard line. 12 of his punts traveled 50-plus yards and 7 traveled out of bounds, while 16 were fair catches. 20 of his punts were returned for 34 yards, resulting in a net yards per punt of 39.7, while 15 were downed by his teammates. He posted a long of 72 yards and had one punt blocked.

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Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

This will not be the only heated position battle in TC but it is important. Ill miss'Thomas. He was a rugby player and every team needs one of those.

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

Agreed Rugs, he was very much an unheralded player, comparative to the guys who make the highlight reels week after week, and was elite at his pos’n for a long period of time. One of my favorites, still is. I wish him nothing but success and happiness, regardless of where the future takes him.

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

Do we have to? He's admitted on SM he was hurt last year, on SM he's also posted some great workouts recently. I know our CAP is limited, but is there no way we can bring him back? Would he need that much $?

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

If I remember correctly he was a year removed from one of the best seasons in his career. If he’s healthy I would love to have him back.

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

League minimum for Morstead to return would be a bit over 1 million (if he would for that amount). Gillikin is making about 725,000.

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

Another terrible Title!

SHOULD HAVE BEEN

"Saints To Get a KICK Out Of Punting Competition!!

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

So we severed a player to make cap space at the cost of 2M in dead money and now we want to bring him back at league minimum adding another million to the cap hit??

Think that through please Gents, why would the league or Morestead go for that?

You cant just cut and re-sign at a lower salary to clear cap. This season is not an option for Morestead and the Saints.

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

Wasn't aware of the CAP side of this, thanks.

Re: Saints are set for a training camp punter battle to replace Thomas Morstead
 

The exact same applies to Josh Hill which someone mentioned in another thread.