ReutersOne month ago, punter Steve Weatherford set a Super Bowl record, with three punts inside the 10. It made him a key figure in the Giants’ Super Bowl victory.
It also will keep him from leaving the team.
Per a league source, the Giants have applied the franchise tag to Weatherford, who has spent only one season with the team.
He’ll be eligible for a one-year contract in the range of $2.6 million. And that’s surely far less than he would have gotten on the open market, given his performance on the game’s biggest stage.
Weatherford, 29, has played for the Saints, Chiefs, Jaguars, and Jets. In 2011, he had a career-high gross average of 45.7 yards, and a career-high net average of 39.2. He’s never had a punt blocked at the NFL level.
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The punter?
I’d love to see some video and do some lip reading when he was told this news… “Mother FN Franchise Tag!”…opposite the state of euphoria we saw at the ‘Stick.
Smart move. The guy was a beast in the playoffs.
Well deserved. Without this guy pinning Brady inside his own 20, we dont win the Superbowl.
I’ve never been so happy about a punter in my life. The fiasco of Matt Dodge I think scarred many Giants fans.
I’m very happy that we have a solid punter.
dude is ice cold… he saved the botched snap on that last field goal in SB…
He deserves it solely for his celebration after the NFC championship game.
Like a fine wine…
Mike Westhoff still thinks that’s a bunch of baloney
What does funnyman Kluwe have to say about this? Someone check his tweets.
glad the giants dumped matt dodge and picked up weatherford. night and day difference
weatherford was terrific this season for the giants and his punts in the superbowl were unbelievable
The biggest difference between the 2010 roster and the 2011 roster was getting this guy to replace Matt Dodge. Good move by the Giants.
They way he played last year, kinda surprised he’s been a bit of a journeyman.
Very good move for the GMen. Weatherford was money all year. Could of used him in ’10.
awesome, now lock him up long term. punters like him and feagles are invaluable
rcampore says:
Mar 5, 2012 4:04 PM
I’ve never been so happy about a punter in my life. The fiasco of Matt Dodge I think scarred many Giants fans.
I’m very happy that we have a solid punter.
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Same here. We would have made a run in 2010 with Weatherford.
We would have missed the playoffs this year with Dodge.
From Jets castoff to franchise player on the world champion New York Football Giants. A true dregs to riches story.
As a Giants fan I would’ve prefered a 20 year deal with this guy… but this will do for now.
Excellent Smithers!!
Well they weren’t going to pay Manningham the receivers franchise rate.
Funny how the article yesterday about the lowly Browns using their franchise tag on their kicker was met with several comments making fun of the team for using their franchise tag on a player as “unimportant” as the kicker, but when the Super Bowl champions put their franchise tag on an even lower rung player like the punter, everyone seems to think it’s genius. lolololol, etc.
great move Mr. Reese. Keep winning the game of field position!
Thank you Jets for releasing him…
Whoever thinks punting is not important doesn’t know football. The GMen would’ve made the playoffs in 2010 if Dodge knew how to punt. I wonder where he is now.
I’ll toast to this move. May even buy his motherfu68n jersey.
Well you know the saying…break a leg…o wait thats for the Jet fans
look at all the comments with people bashing matt dodge, they all have one thumbs down…i wonder if matt dodge reads pft