June 19, 2013

Masthay on possible huge NFL rule change

The kickoff may soon be a thing of the past in the National Football League.

TIME magazine on Thursday had a story on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that included his mention of the league considering eliminating the kickoff for player-safety reasons.

Masthay’s role looks to increase if the proposed rule change goes through

Green Bay Packer‘s punter Tim Masthay calls it a “quirky” rule change.

AUDIO: Masthay on possible effect of rule change :22

Before Thursday night’s NFL game, Goodell said he thought the story is interesting and confirmed that the NFL’s competition committee will review the idea.

This possible rule change would be as follows:

After a team would score, they would receive the ball on their own 30 yard line, and it would be 4th down, with 15 yards to go.

Just like a regular 4th down play, the idea is for teams to punt the ball, run a fake punt, or go for it.  If the team would not make it, the opposition would take over on downs like normal.

The idea is to minimize player impact on kickoffs and increase player safety. Masthay says punt plays are less physical.

AUDIO: Masthay on punt play physicality :16

“To me it just adds more punt plays…” says Masthay.

AUDIO: Masthay on what this means :16

One thing is certain, the emphasis on punting and having a good punter would immediately become a big factor.

Masthay is NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Tim Masthay became the first punter to throw a touchdown pass in 40 years

Tim Masthay

for the Packers.  He also punted five times for a 47.6 yard average in the Green Bay Packers 23-10 win over the Chicago Bears. 

Masthay today was named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week. 

In the second quarter, with the Packers leading 3-0, Green Bay faced a fourth-and-26 situation at the Chicago 27 yard line.  The Packers lined up for a field goal but executed a fake, ending with Masthay throwing a 27-yard catch and run pass to tight end Tom Crabtree. 

It was the first touchdown pass by a Green Bay punter since November 19, 1972 when Ron Widby threw a 68-yard touchdown to Dave Davis.

On defense, 3 1/2 sacks wasn’t enough to land Clay Matthews the defensive player of the week honors.  Arizona DE Calais Campbell captured that honor, registering 10 tackles and two sacks in the Cardinals 20-18 win over New England.

Masthay rewarded for perseverance

Green Bay Packers punter Tim Masthay entered the NFL as a non-drafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2009.  He went

Tim Masthay

through the offseason program and the early portion of training camp before being released.

What followed was Masthay not giving up.  He secured a part-time job and continued to work on his game. 

The Packers signed Masthay on January 14, 2010, and he battled Australian Chris Bryan for the punting position during training camp.  Masthay won that battle with a strong showing in the Family Night scrimmage as well as his preseason performance.

AUDIO: Masthay hopes his story encourages others :18

In 2011, Masthay had what was statistically the finest season of any punter in franchise history.  He punted 55 times and set new franchise records for gross (45.6) and net (38.6) average, landing 23 of his punts inside the 20-yard line. [Read more...]

Packers give punter Masthay contract extension

The Green Bay Packers signed punter Tim Masthay to a 4-year contract

Tim Masthay

extension.

The 4-year deal is worth $5.465 million and includes a $1.2 million signing bonus.  Masthay would have become a free agent at the end of the season.

The contract is a bargain for the Packers.  Masthay averaged 45.6 yards per punt (15th) last season and dropped 23 inside the 20-yard line. 

The new deal makes Masthay the 15th highest paid punter in the NFL.  Oakland’s Shane Lechler tops the list at $4 million per year.