NFL
Friday was cut down day, and for Houston Texans punter Shane Lechler it was his last day as an NFL punter. Lechler was the first of known named players to be released. The Texans cut the 19-year veteran punter as they chose to keep undrafted free agent Trevor Daniel.
Shane Lechler, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection from East Barnard, Texas, had a 41.3 net average last season. Following Thursday night’s 14-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Lechler sounded as if he knew the end was near.
“I mean, I don’t know. It’s been a good battle, so we’ll see. It’s up to the coaching staff and the guys here. But it’s been a fun battle and a good one and an interesting one. I’m sure you guys have watched it a little bit along the way.”
On August 7th rookie punter Trevor Daniel, who won the job over future Hall of Famer Shane Lechler,discussed how much Shane was helping him even though it could cost him his job: "That says a lot about him. He could lose job.That could happen, but he's still showing me the ropes" pic.twitter.com/Ba4cLwNzS2
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 31, 2018
Daniel, an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee, was worried that he had not done enough to impress the coaching staff. Lechler, who has no intentions of retiring said the former Volunteers punter was great competition.
“I would say this is the first real one,” continued Lechler. “I’ve had some competition before, but this kid is talented. Very talented punter.”
Lechler signed a one-year, $2 million contract in the offseason that included $600,000 guaranteed. The former Texas A&M Aggie reminisced about his career one last time on Thursday night at NRG Stadium.
“I was just trying to get to the next day. Jon Gruden was my head coach. I was trying to get to day two. You know that’s a long time ago. I’ve punted a lot of balls since but yeah, it’s been a straight up blessing, man. It’s been a fun league to play in, and it’s awesome.”
