Since 2006, Lee ranks third in the NFL with a 46.9 gross average and second with a 39.7 net average. The only NFL punter who clearly has better numbers during that time is Raiders punter Shane Lechler.
Lee and the punt-coverage unit face a major challenge tomorrow night when the 49ers play host to the Chicago Bears and Devin Hester, who has 12 touchdowns on returns in his four year career.
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In our podcast, Lee talks about . . .
--Last week's game against the Titans when he averaged 56.7 yards (53.3 net) on three punts. "It doesn't happen much," Lee said. "It was one of those games flowing and feeling good."
--The challenge of facing Hester: "The main thing is hang time to give the coverage guys time to get down there. The longer ball is in the air, better chance (they have) to make a tackle."
--Distance on his punts Thursday will take a backseat to hang time. Lee will want his punts with hang time of at least 4.5 seconds.
--The goal is still a 38-yard net average. Lee's net average for the season is 42.5, which ranks second in the NFL behind Lechler's 44.9 average. On his goal of 38 yards net, Lee said, "I want to be there. That's a good number to help the team win. Anything above that is wonderful."
--On his steady improvement throughout his career: "I feel I've gotten better every year." He said he is more consistent and more comfortable.
--He said he speaks with Lechler more than any punter in the league because of the time the teams spend together in training camp, and meeting yearly in the exhibition season.
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Come on Matt! We're talking with the punter? There is a reason why our punter is as good as he is! Not of all it has to do with the punter himself. 2 Thumbs down. Give me something good or atleast creative. Why don't we interview the long snapper next?
As Niner fans we have enough to criticize with the product on the field. Let's not take off whining about Matt's blog content. Please.
Lee is one of the most important players on the team and has been for several years. He is constantly giving us good field position. The long snapper is very important also. Fans that don't understand that don't know much about football!
Matt, I actually WOULD really like to hear an interview with Brian Jennings. Not only is the guy a character, but I think people underestimate the value a good long snapper brings to a football team. Long snapping is an art and there are few in the league who do it as well as Jennings. What do you think?
"Matt, I actually WOULD really like to hear an interview with Brian Jennings."
I second this... the guy is always a great interview.
The punter and long snapper wear real 49ers uniforms ... with numbers on them! We just so happen to have an outstanding player punting for our team. It just so happens that we also have an outstanding player long snapping for us. Just about every team in the NFL would be thrilled to have either one of them on their team.
I've met Brian Jennings before at a Stockton Goal Rushers booster club dinner a couple years ago, and he is a humble, smart, charismatic guy. I really liked him.
Your sarcasm is pointlessly stupid. At least I hope it is sarcasm for your sake.
The way Lee punts, if the offense gets the ball anywhere around the 50 yd line (or better yet, opponents 40 yd line) they need a fake punt in lieu of touchback. Earlier in the game works best depending on score, yardage needed for 1st down, etc. Not sure if Lee is better running or throwing, but the threat is always nice to have, and by faking at least one time, it limits the blocked punt pressure.
Andy Lee is a stud. I'm glad MM gave him some run. He's one of the few 49ers you can depend on to perform at a high level every week. He has amazing ball control. He's the best at sticking the ball inside the 10 that I've ever seen. He is the master of backspin. God bless Andy Lee.
Good point about Jennings. He's been a 9er forever, and he's always done a great job. While we're at it, Nedney's great too. We have great kickers, a great snapper, and good coverage guys. Our special teams would be top notch if only we had a decent return man.
Don't see where I was whining?
Don't see where I was whining?
Andy Lee is probably one of the most consistent performers at any position the niners have on the roster(besides Willis). A few more punts inside the 10 and I'm having Andy Lee for MVP shirts made.
Nice work MM
You know what else is stupid. Interviewing a punter!
NinerFan why do you call yourself that when all you do is whine, critisize and make really annoying comments? You must be a women!
Glad you got an interview with Andy Lee, our great punter.
I like the part where he said his goal is helping the team win.
If the rest of the team did their job as well as Andy Lee and Nedney, we'd be in the Super Bowl.
You gave Matt two thumbs down but I have some advice as to where you could put two thumbs up. If you don't understand the importance of special teams and the punter perhaps you would be better reading some of the cut and paste blogs that aren't so challenging or informative. That part of the game may be too subtle for you to understand and that's why you went all thumby on us. Lee is a freakin' artist. He's the Pablo Picasso of punting.
I never said Lee is not a good or great punter. We should not need a GOOD PUNTER! I care less how good he is. So what. He's a good punter. Name one punter in the Hall of Fame? Name one punter, who because of him, won a Super Bowl, game, something. My point was not important. Only reason Lee punts is because the offense let us down. You don't get it. Here's your sign!
I never said Lee is not a good or great punter. We should not need a GOOD PUNTER! I care less how good he is. So what. He's a good punter. Name one punter in the Hall of Fame? Name one punter, who because of him, won a Super Bowl, game, something. My point was not important. Only reason Lee punts is because the offense let us down. You don't get it. Here's your sign!
TheNinerFan you definitely have a crush on Andy Lee or punters in general
Dude, your anti-punter rant is a joke. Understanding the hidden effects of punting, kicking and special teams in general is one of the key field position factors that determine who wins and loses on any given Sunday. And it's one of the areas that separate the men from the boys in football analysis and opining.
I, as a distinct minority, really enjoy the discussion of punting and punters. And the fact you don't think we should "need" a punter, the fact is not every drive of the 10-to-14 possessions a team will get during a game will end in scoring. Only the fools whose ideas of football come from the very-arcade-like Madden think so. In real football you can expect to punt at least half your drives away on any given Sunday.
Even with Bill Walsh as your coach and Joe Montana hookin' up to Jerry Rice...
LMFAO!
First and foremost I can tell you're a soccer player. Secondly, who was our punter during the Montana Rice era? Or punters? Without google I don't remember. Do you? That's my point. We could have had any punter. Punters and kickers are not real football players. Here's your sign!
Ray Guy.
You need to listen to him on KNBR Morning Show. Jennings is hilarious.
And as far as the anti kickers rants?
PUNTERS change field posistion.
All you IDIOTS saying you don't need kickers show HOW little you know about football.
KICKERS aren;'t real football players??
TELL THAT TO THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS because with out Adam Venitiari they don't win their Super Bowls. Or The COlts. Because Venitiar won the playoff game that allowed them to go to the Super Bowl.
Ray Wersching
Doug Brien
Super Bowl winning Kickers.. with 49ers.
AND NO I NEVER PLAYED SOCCER...
There are no punters in the HOF although Ray Guy belongs in.
So will Lechler. The guy changes field posistion.
The point taken is if the offense was compontent it wouldn't matter who kicked I GET THAT.
But special teams are a third of the game.
The 49ers LOST an NFC title game to the Cowboys by giving up 5 FIELD GOALS. Kickers matter ..
I was amazed to see there were 25 comments about an interview with Andy Lee. I shoulda guessed...
If you follow the 49ers year round, you know that sometimes players are interviewed who won't even make the team. I appreciate that - it helps make our connection to our team more personal. Not every blogger actually has the access necessary to talk with the players and coaches, so thanks, Matt!
My bad (memory). He was nominated and was a finalist last year but not enshrined. He will be eventually.
RAY GUY
Class of 2008 - Finalist
Punter >>> 6-3, 195
(Southern Mississippi)
1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
First punter ever selected in first round, Raiders 1973 (23rd player overall). . .Averaged under 40 yards only once in NFL career. . .Only three of 1,049 punts blocked. . . Career average was 42.4 yards. . .All-Pro six straight seasons, 1973-1978. . . All-AFC seven times. . . Played in seven Pro Bowls, seven AFC championship games, three Super Bowls. . .First punter to hit Louisiana Superdome scoreboard, 1977 Pro Bowl. . .Born December 22, 1949, in Swainsboro, Georgia.