The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Per ESPN ... looking for confirmation

Sam Paulescu - P Dec. 14 - 3:21 pm et

Redskins signed P Sam Paulescu.
Paulescu was with the Redskins for one game last season. He'll replace Hunter Smith as the punter as well as the holder on field goals and extra point attempts.
Source: Chick Hernandez on Twitter

Hunter Smith - P Dec. 14 - 3:19 pm et

Redskins waived P Hunter Smith.
Smith is being scapegoated for failing to reel in a high snap in the rain last week on what would have been a game-tying extra point. He had averaged an underwhelming 40.5 yards per punt, giving him little margin for error.
Source: Chick Hernandez on Twitter

Smith hasn't been great this year, and he took the blame himself, but cut Nick Sunderburg and bring back the Red Snapper. Maybe Smith should have brought it down, but the snap was still very ugly.

Mississippi Hog wrote:Smith hasn't been great this year, and he took the blame himself, but cut Nick Sunderburg and bring back the Red Snapper. Maybe Smith should have brought it down, but the snap was still very ugly.

Agree.

There are a ton more players I would have cut including Smith.

If I had my choice, he wouldn't have been the kicker I would have cut.

Here's the kind of thing that pisses me off:

Mike Shanahan weighed in on Monday.

“I think the snap was a little bit high,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect. There were some tough conditions. It was wet. Could it have been a better snap? Sure. Could he [Hunter] have gotten it down? Sure.

“Like most winners, you want them to take that blame. Hunter’s that type of guy. Extra points, you’re thinking 99.9 percent. Obviously it’s disappointing when that doesn’t happen.”

Why compliment a player you cut less than 24 hours later? Smith is such a winner he took the fall for Gano's poor kicking? How about not making yourself look two-faced?

TCIYM wrote:Here's the kind of thing that pisses me off:

Mike Shanahan weighed in on Monday.

“I think the snap was a little bit high,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect. There were some tough conditions. It was wet. Could it have been a better snap? Sure. Could he [Hunter] have gotten it down? Sure.

“Like most winners, you want them to take that blame. Hunter’s that type of guy. Extra points, you’re thinking 99.9 percent. Obviously it’s disappointing when that doesn’t happen.”

Why compliment a player you cut less than 24 hours later? Smith is such a winner he took the fall for Gano's poor kicking? How about not making yourself look two-faced?

It's the kind of thing that suggests the film may have shown there was more to the story... of course, film has already shown that one snap on a FG was low... Hunter handled it, but it may have messed up some timing... and it also showed on the PAT that the snap was high... Frankly, film consistently demonstrated that those things almost never happened with Ethan Albright on the field... He's at home, and probably in great shape... Allen should be giving him a call... who cares if he is forty... fact is, he is the best long snapper in Redskins history.

Countertrey wrote:It's the kind of thing that suggests the film may have shown there was more to the story... of course, film has already shown that one snap on a FG was low... Hunter handled it, but it may have messed up some timing... and it also showed on the PAT that the snap was high... Frankly, film consistently demonstrated that those things almost never happened with Ethan Albright on the field... He's at home, and probably in great shape... Allen should be giving him a call... who cares if he is forty... fact is, he is the best long snapper in Redskins history.

I agree, but if you haven't evaluated the film yet then why run your yap? How about saying you haven't looked at everything yet and have no evaluation at present? It's also incredibly disingenuous to say that one bad hold by Smith trumps the ten missed field goals by Gano on good holds. As far as Ethan Albright goes, I agree. I believe he played his entire Redskins career without ever botching a snap. Still not sure why he was let go. Unfortunately even those perfect snaps from The Red Snapper can't make Gano more accurate. He missed a 24 and a 25 yard attempt and came dangerously close to missing a PAT all in the same game. But that is all Smith's fault ...

I don't have a problem with anything Shanahan said regarding Smith... either before or after film.

I do, however, have a significant problem with the way he and Kyle managed the game. Had they used a modicum of coaching intellect, that game would not have come down to the foot of Gano, the hands of Smith, nor the snap of Sundburg.

It was pathetic.

Countertrey wrote:I don't have a problem with anything Shanahan said regarding Smith... either before or after film.

I do, however, have a significant problem with the way he and Kyle managed the game. Had they used a modicum of coaching intellect, that game would not have come down to the foot of Gano, the hands of Smith, nor the snap of Sundburg.

It was pathetic.

I'll agree to disagree on the media personnel relations. I agree whole-heartedly on the lack of coaching prowess. For a moment I could have sworn Jim Zorn was calling the plays again.

My biggest problem with cutting Hunter Smith is that it looks like the Skins of old, finding someone to cut to blame a loss on. How about sticking by the guy (we're already out of the playoffs) and finding a new punter in the off season? Doesn't it send a message, mess up and you're gone. It certainly isn't the way to build a strong team, a team unified, etc...

Anyone believe this new guy will hold better than Hunter Smith? Heck, does anyone think he'll punt better than Hunter Smith?

I watched that game and saw some other guys who need to be cut -- Rocky McIntosh is first on my list. He was doing ballet moves down the field trying to cover a TE...I was thankful he didn't have a too-too on!

Laces out!!!

TCIYM wrote:Here's the kind of thing that pisses me off:

Mike Shanahan weighed in on Monday.

“I think the snap was a little bit high,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect. There were some tough conditions. It was wet. Could it have been a better snap? Sure. Could he [Hunter] have gotten it down? Sure.

“Like most winners, you want them to take that blame. Hunter’s that type of guy. Extra points, you’re thinking 99.9 percent. Obviously it’s disappointing when that doesn’t happen.”

Why compliment a player you cut less than 24 hours later? Smith is such a winner he took the fall for Gano's poor kicking? How about not making yourself look two-faced?

I see absolutely nothing wrong with that quote. What was your problem with it?

Countertrey wrote:It's the kind of thing that suggests the film may have shown there was more to the story... of course, film has already shown that one snap on a FG was low... Hunter handled it, but it may have messed up some timing... and it also showed on the PAT that the snap was high... Frankly, film consistently demonstrated that those things almost never happened with Ethan Albright on the field... He's at home, and probably in great shape... Allen should be giving him a call... who cares if he is forty... fact is, he is the best long snapper in Redskins history.

Completely agree. I want the Red Snapper back!

On a rainy day you can't blame a punter for not being able to catch a really high snap. In that kind of weather the center has to make sure he snaps the ball on target. Hunter's holds haven't been bad all year, but the snaps have been shaky. Plus even if he somehow gets that hold down, there is a good chance Gano makes the extra point. He was terrible Sunday, his extra point and field goal he made were barely good.

fredp45 wrote:My biggest problem with cutting Hunter Smith is that it looks like the Skins of old, finding someone to cut to blame a loss on. How about sticking by the guy (we're already out of the playoffs) and finding a new punter in the off season? Doesn't it send a message, mess up and you're gone. It certainly isn't the way to build a strong team, a team unified, etc...

Anyone believe this new guy will hold better than Hunter Smith? Heck, does anyone think he'll punt better than Hunter Smith?

I watched that game and saw some other guys who need to be cut -- Rocky McIntosh is first on my list. He was doing ballet moves down the field trying to cover a TE...I was thankful he didn't have a too-too on!

Punter is not like other positions. It's easy to evaluate them. Why not bring in a guy now to try out instead of wasting three games with a guy you know you don't want?

KazooSkinsFan wrote:I see absolutely nothing wrong with that quote. What was your problem with it?

I find it poor practice to compliment a player one day and release that player the following day. It seems to me Shanahan handles every personnel issue as poorly as is possible. It also seems I am in a small minority, if not alone in that sentiment. Wouldn't be the first time.

We shoulda KEPT the Red Snapper.

Countertrey wrote: It's the kind of thing that suggests the film may have shown there was more to the story... of course, film has already shown that one snap on a FG was low... Hunter handled it, but it may have messed up some timing... and it also showed on the PAT that the snap was high... Frankly, film consistently demonstrated that those things almost never happened with Ethan Albright on the field... He's at home, and probably in great shape... Allen should be giving him a call... who cares if he is forty... fact is, he is the best long snapper in Redskins history.

You are right Albright never had a botched snap as a Redskin. Here is what Norv Turner said about Albright when they released him after the first Raiders game this season.

Oct. 13, 2010 9:06 p.m. - Coach Norv Turner said LS Ethan Albright was released because he had limitations in punt coverage and that newly acquired LS Mike Windt would help in that department. Albright was not released because of the two punts the Raiders blocked; those were errors unrelated to Albright. Chargers RapidReports

Remember Shanahan said that he and his staff looked at all the Redskin players on film and then made their decisions about who stays and who goes. Perhaps this is why the Red Snapper was let go by the Skins. The Chargers' guy Windt is a youngers like Sundberg.

TCIYM wrote:

KazooSkinsFan wrote:I see absolutely nothing wrong with that quote. What was your problem with it?

I find it poor practice to compliment a player one day and release that player the following day. It seems to me Shanahan handles every personnel issue as poorly as is possible. It also seems I am in a small minority, if not alone in that sentiment. Wouldn't be the first time.

He should have called him an incompetent prick he wouldn't let clean his toilets? Why? He didn't say anything effusive or anything. He just said he at least admitted he should have made the play. He also said he should have made the play...

I don't know I just don't get this move really. The guy muffs a high snap in bad weather and you cut him? If anybody really deserved to be released (and I'm not advocating it) it was probably Gano like some of you guys said.

I hope there was a little more to this move than just the botched hold.

riggofan wrote:I don't know I just don't get this move really. The guy muffs a high snap in bad weather and you cut him? If anybody really deserved to be released (and I'm not advocating it) it was probably Gano like some of you guys said.

I hope there was a little more to this move than just the botched hold.

I believe he ranked 33rd in the NFL on Avg. Punt Yards as well. I still don't think it was the right move. I would've cut all 3 of them after that performance, but I still don't understand why they cut the Red Snapper to begin with.

I thought they should have gone for the 2 pt conversion myself. There really wasn't anything to lose, and the kicking had been horrific up to that point already.

TeeterSalad wrote:I believe he ranked 33rd in the NFL on Avg. Punt Yards as well.

33rd out of 32 teams? He really must have been sucking wind.

Red_One43 wrote:

Countertrey wrote: It's the kind of thing that suggests the film may have shown there was more to the story... of course, film has already shown that one snap on a FG was low... Hunter handled it, but it may have messed up some timing... and it also showed on the PAT that the snap was high... Frankly, film consistently demonstrated that those things almost never happened with Ethan Albright on the field... He's at home, and probably in great shape... Allen should be giving him a call... who cares if he is forty... fact is, he is the best long snapper in Redskins history.

You are right Albright never had a botched snap as a Redskin. Here is what Norv Turner said about Albright when they released him after the first Raiders game this season.

Oct. 13, 2010 9:06 p.m. - Coach Norv Turner said LS Ethan Albright was released because he had limitations in punt coverage and that newly acquired LS Mike Windt would help in that department. Albright was not released because of the two punts the Raiders blocked; those were errors unrelated to Albright. Chargers RapidReports

Remember Shanahan said that he and his staff looked at all the Redskin players on film and then made their decisions about who stays and who goes. Perhaps this is why the Red Snapper was let go by the Skins. The Chargers' guy Windt is a youngers like Sundberg.

The question, then, is which is more important... the center making sure he gets the ball sharply into the hands of the punter/holder... or the center getting downfield...
Doesn't seem like much of a question to me...

TCIYM wrote:

TeeterSalad wrote:I believe he ranked 33rd in the NFL on Avg. Punt Yards as well.

33rd out of 32 teams? He really must have been sucking wind.

So he's worse then every team's punter including a punter who got cut and his replacement. It was always silly that some assumed he was cut for that play, I thought it was pretty clear all along it wasn't. If anyone was going to be cut for that game alone it was Gano

KazooSkinsFan wrote:

TCIYM wrote:

TeeterSalad wrote:I believe he ranked 33rd in the NFL on Avg. Punt Yards as well.

33rd out of 32 teams? He really must have been sucking wind.

So he's worse then every team's punter including a punter who got cut and his replacement. It was always silly that some assumed he was cut for that play, I thought it was pretty clear all along it wasn't. If anyone was going to be cut for that game alone it was Gano

...Just checked NFL.com stats, his net avg is ranked 33rd, his yard avg is ranked 31st, but it also seems like he shanked a punt everytime we needed a good one this season.

I still don't think he should have been the scapegoat this week, but its obvious he didn't get cut just for that botched PAT.

TeeterSalad wrote:

KazooSkinsFan wrote:

TCIYM wrote:

TeeterSalad wrote:I believe he ranked 33rd in the NFL on Avg. Punt Yards as well.

33rd out of 32 teams? He really must have been sucking wind.

So he's worse then every team's punter including a punter who got cut and his replacement. It was always silly that some assumed he was cut for that play, I thought it was pretty clear all along it wasn't. If anyone was going to be cut for that game alone it was Gano

...Just checked NFL.com stats, his net avg is ranked 33rd, his yard avg is ranked 31st, but it also seems like he shanked a punt everytime we needed a good one this season.

I still don't think he should have been the scapegoat this week, but its obvious he didn't get cut just for that botched PAT.

Who scapegoated him?

KazooSkinsFan wrote:

TeeterSalad wrote:

KazooSkinsFan wrote:

TCIYM wrote:

TeeterSalad wrote:I believe he ranked 33rd in the NFL on Avg. Punt Yards as well.

33rd out of 32 teams? He really must have been sucking wind.

So he's worse then every team's punter including a punter who got cut and his replacement. It was always silly that some assumed he was cut for that play, I thought it was pretty clear all along it wasn't. If anyone was going to be cut for that game alone it was Gano

...Just checked NFL.com stats, his net avg is ranked 33rd, his yard avg is ranked 31st, but it also seems like he shanked a punt everytime we needed a good one this season.

I still don't think he should have been the scapegoat this week, but its obvious he didn't get cut just for that botched PAT.

Who scapegoated him?

I think he took the blame himself, but he could have been Danny Smith or Shanahans scapegoat...not really sure which, but IMO that loss was more on Gano than anyone. I think they cut the wrong person at this point, even though all 3 (Gano, Sundberg, Smith) deserve to be cut after this season.