In their first meeting, the Wildcat ran wild. Miami's star running back and New England's head coach tackle the unorthodox formation. Plus, news and notes from Wednesday's practice.
The Patriots head into Sunday's game at Miami tied with the Dolphins for second place in a highly competitive AFC East. The winner of the contest will answer a few questions heading down the stretch toward the postseason. For all the other questions surrounding the Patriots we bring another wide-ranging edition of Ask PFW.
After seeing the Dolphins' Wildcat formation rip it to shreds in Week 3, New England is doing everything it can to prevent a repeat performance this weekend.
Joey Porter's running his mouth again. Read all about that and the other news and notes leading up to this weekend's Patriots-Dolphins game in today's Patriots.com News Blitz.
Josh Miller was born on July 14, 1970 ... Lettered in football, basketball and track at East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick, N.J. ... Earned All- State honors in football and track ... Played wide receiver in addition to handling placekicking and punting ... Played guard on basketball team and was a decathlete in track ... Married (Angie) with a daughter, Olivia Ryan, (6/16/01) and son, Caleb Steele (5/3/03).
Career Transactions
Josh Miller was signed by the Patriots as a veteran free agent on March 15, 2004 ... Played for the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League from 1994-95 and was signed into the NFL by the Seattle Seahawks in the spring of 1996 ... Released by Seattle and signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent (8/14/96) ... Placed on injured reserve (12/19/02) ... Released by the Steelers (3/6/04).
Career Highlights
Career GP/GS: 154/0 (9/0)
Miller has played in 154 games in his 10-year career and enters the 2006 season having punted 704 times for 30,328 yards, good for an average of 43.1 yards per kick.
Miller has shown a knack for placing his punts deep in his opponents' territory, placing 235 career punts inside the 20-yard line, with just 76 career touchbacks.
In 2005, Miller finished fourth in the NFL with a 45.1 punt average, a figure that ranks second in singleseason Patriots history (Tom Tupa, 45.8, 1997).
Miller recorded just four touchbacks in 2005, the fewest among the NFL's top 10 punters.
Miller sealed the Patriots' Super Bowl XXXIX victory by pinning the Eagles deep in their own territory with a 32-yard punt that was downed at the Philadelphia 4-yard line with 46 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Miller has shown a knack for placing his punts deep in his opponents' territory, placing 213 career punts inside the 20-yard line, with just 72 career touchbacks.
Miller's consistency as a holder helped Adam Vinatieri set a franchise record by hitting an NFL-best 93.9 percent of his field goals (31-of-33) in 2004. Including a 48-for-48 performance on extra points, the trio of Miller, Vinatieri and long snapper Lonie Paxton produced 79 successful kicks in 81 attempts (97.5 percent).
Miller's best statistical season to date was the 1999 season, when he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate, averaging 45.2 yards per kick and gaining a net average of 38.1 yards. Both his net and gross averages ranked third in the NFL and second in the AFC.
In 2000, Miller placed 34 of his 90 punts inside the 20-yard line, tying his career high (1998) and finishing second in the NFL.
Miller led the NFL in 1998 by placing 34 of his 81 punts inside the 20-yard line.
Miller boomed a career-long 75-yard punt at Jacksonville in 1999, tying him for the secondlongest punt in Steelers history.
Miller played for two seasons with the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League (1994- 95), and led the CFL in punting average in each of his years in the league.
College
Was a two-year letterman at Arizona after transferring from junior college … Averaged 40.3 yards with a 38.0 net on 119 career punts, including 44 inside the 20-yard line … Punted 74 times in 1992 for a 42.7 average (41.9-yard net) and nailed 24 kicks inside the 20 … Named first-team PAC 10 and first-team All-American in 1993 … Was a two-time All-Western State Football League pick as punter and kicker at Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, Arizona … Handled both the placekicking and punting at Senior Bowl.
2006 Season
2006 (10/0/0/0): Placed on injured reserve on Nov. 24, 2006.
Buffalo (9/10): Punted four times for 183 yards (45.8 avg.) in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills ... Boomed a game-best 56-yard punt in the second quarter. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Registered three punts for 158 yards (52.7 avg.) in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets ... Boomed a game-high 61-yard punt in the second quarter ... Nailed a 49-yard punt just before the 2-minute warning in the second quarter. Denver (9/24): Recorded seven punts for 306 yards (43.7 avg.) ... Dropped four punts inside the 20-yard line ... Placed a 30-yard punt at the Broncos 5-yard line in the first quarter ... Boomed a 53-yard punt in the third quarter ... Pinned the Broncos deep in their own territory with a 47-yard punt that Darrent Williams returned for a 4-yard loss to the Denver 2-yard line ... Placed a 38-yard punt inside the Broncos' 5-yard line at the end of the third quarter ... Nailed a 51-yard punt in the fourth quarter. at Cincinnati (10/1): Punted three times for 125 yards (41.7 avg.) in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals ... Boomed a 53-yard punt in the second quarter. vs. Miami (10/8): Punted five times for 182 yards (36.4 avg.) in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins ... Dropped two punts inside the 20-yard line ... Registered a 33-yard punt that was fair caught at the Miami 9-yard line in the third quarter ... Placed a 26-yard punt that was downed at the Miami 12-yard line. at Buffalo (10/22): Recorded six punts for 286 yards (47.5 avg.) in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills ... Boomed a 49-yard punt in the second quarter ... Nailed a season-long 62-yard punt with 42 seconds remaining in the second quarter ... Pinned the Bills at their 13-yard line with a 27-yard punt in the third quarter ... Booted a 55-yard punt at the end of the third quarter. at Minnesota (10/30): Punted four times for 187 yards (46.8 avg.) in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings ... Boomed a 53-yard punt in the third quarter ... Nailed a 55-yard punt late in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/5): Registered one punt for 46 yards. vs. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Boomed four punts for 161 yards (40.3 avg.) ... Placed a 29-yard punt that was fair caught at the Jets' 12-yard line in the first quarter. at Green Bay (11/19): Punted six times for 214 yards (35.7 avg.) in the Patriots' 35-0 road victory over the Packers ... Placed a 27-yard punt that was downed at the Packers' 10-yard line in the third quarter ... Boomed a 46-yard punt that was marked out of bounds at the Packers' 16-yard line.
2005 Season
2005 (16/0/0/0): Finished fourth in the NFL with a 45.1 punt avg. … Registered 21 punts of 50 yards or more in 2005 … Dropped 22 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Oakland (9/8): Booted six punts for 269 yards (44.8 avg.) in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Raiders on opening night … Dropped three punts inside the 20- yard line … Placed back-to-back punts inside the Raiders’ 5-yard line in the third quarter … Pinned the Raiders deep in their own territory with a 48-yard punt that was downed at the Oakland 4-yard line … Boomed a 49-yard punt that was downed at the Raiders 4-yard line. at Carolina (9/18): Punted seven times for 336 yards (48.0 avg.), including four punts of 50 yards or more … Boomed a 52-yard punt in the first quarter … Recorded a 50-yard punt in the second quarter … Nailed a game-high 56-yard punt from deep in Patriots territory in the fourth quarter … Booted a 53-yard punt in the fourth stanza. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Punted four times for 180 yards (45.0 avg.), while placing one punt inside the 20-yard line in the Patriots’ 23-20 victory over the Steelers … Pinned the Steelers deep in their own territory with a 43-yard punt that was downed at the Pittsburgh 6-yard line. San Diego (10/2): Boomed four punts for 184 yards (46.0 avg.) … Nailed a game-high 57-yard punt in the third quarter. at Atlanta (10/9): Punted six times for 261 yards (43.5 avg.) in the Patriots’ 31-28 win over the Falcons … Dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line … Pinned the Falcons deep in their own territory with a 30-yard punt that was downed at the Atlanta 8- yard line in the second quarter … Boomed a 47-yard punt that was downed at the Falcons’ 15-yard line. at Denver (10/16): Had an outstanding afternoon with seven punts for 361 yards (51.6 avg.) … Nailed four punts of 50 yards or more … Dropped three kicks inside the Broncos’ 20-yard line … Pinned the Broncos deep in their own territory with a 48-yard punt that was downed at the Denver 2-yard line … Boomed a 58-yard punt to the Broncos 3-yard line in the first quarter … Nailed a 52-yard punt in the second stanza … Boomed a 58-yard punt in the third quarter … Booted a 55-yard punt late in the fourth quarter. Buffalo (10/30): Punted five times for 232 yards (46.4 avg.) in the Patriots’ 21-16 victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football … Booted two punts of 50 yards or more … Boomed a 57-yard punt in the first quarter … Pinned the Bills deep in their own territory with a 28-yard pun that was downed at the Buffalo 3-yard line … Nailed a 56-yard punt late in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/7): Punted three times for 143 yards (47.7 avg.) … Boomed a 55-yard punt to the Colts’ 10- yard line in the second quarter. at Miami (11/13): Booted six punts for 262 yards (43.7 avg.), including two punts of 50 yards or more … Dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line … Registered a 33-yard punt that was downed at the Miami 33-yard line in the first quarter … Nailed a 54-yard punt in the first quarter … Boomed a 51-yard punt in the second quarter. New Orleans (11/20): Punted five times for 237 yards (47.4 avg.) in the Patriots’ 24-17 win over the Saints … Nailed three punts of 50 yards or more in the victory … Boomed a 54-yard punt in the second quarter … Nailed a 57-yard punt in the second quarter … Booted a 50-yard punt late in the fourth quarter. at Kansas City (11/27): Boomed three punts for 145 yards (48.3 avg.) … Dropped a 46-yard punt that was marked out of bounds at the Chiefs’ 14-yard line in the second quarter … Boomed a 54-yard punt in the third quarter. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Booted four punts for 192 yards (48.0 avg.) in the Patriots’ 16-3 victory over the Jets … Nailed a 50-yard punt early in the first quarter … Boomed a 55-yard punt in the fourth quarter. at Buffalo (12/11): Punted four times for 144 yards (36.0 avg.) in the Patriots’ commanding 35-7 road victory over the Bills … Boomed a 49-yard punt late in the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay (12/17): Punted six times for 237 yards (39.5 avg.) in the Patriots’ 28-0 shutout victory over the Buccaneers … Dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line … Drew a key roughing the kicker penalty that extended the Patriots’ second touchdown drive in the second quarter … Pinned the Buccaneers deep in their own territory with a 31-yard punt that was fair caught at Tampa Bay 10-yard line. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Punted twice for 82 yards (41.0 avg.) in the Patriots’ 31-21 victory over the Jets … Boomed a 46-yard punt late in the first quarter. Miami (1/1): Punted four times for 166 yards (41.5 avg.) … Boomed a 50-yard punt in the second quarter.
2005 Postseason (2/0/0/0): Jacksonville (1/7): Punted four times for 172 yards (43.0 avg.) in the Patriots' 28-3 AFC Wild Card victory over the Jaguars ... Dropped one punt inside the 20-yard line. at Denver (1/14): Booted three punts for 146 yards (48.7 avg.) ... Nailed a 50-yard punt at the end of the first quarter.
2004 season
2004 (16/0, 3/0): Punted 56 times for 2,350 yards (42.0-yard avg.), his highest average in three seasons … Nailed a 50-yard punt with his first kick in a Patriots uniform against Indianapolis (9/9) … Boomed a seasonbest 69-yard punt from his own end zone in the fourth quarter of the Patriots' AFC East clinching 35-28 victory over Cincinnati (12/12/04). Indianapolis (9/9): Tallied three punts for 142 yards (47.3 avg.) in the Patriots' 27-24 victory over the Colts ... Boomed a 50-yard punt with his first kick in a Patriots uniform ... Nailed a 52-yard punt from deep in Patriots territory to push back the Colts offense late in the fourth quarter. at Arizona (9/19): Booted three punts for 137 yards (45.7 avg.), including two that were downed inside the 20-yard line in the Patriots' 23-12 victory over the Cardinals ... Registered a 53-yard punt early in the first quarter ... Backed the Cardinals deep into their own territory with a 53-yard punt that was downed at the 4-yard line in the fourth quarter. at Buffalo (10/3): Punted four times for 198 yards (49.5 avg.) in the Patriots' 31-17 victory over the Bills ... Backed the Bills deep in their own territory with a 37-yard punt that was downed at the Bills 2-yard line in the third quarter ... Nailed a 61-yard punt that changed the field position battle in the fourth quarter. Miami (10/10): Booted five punts for 216 yards (43.2 avg.) in the Patriots' 24-10 victory over the Dolphins ... Nailed a 51-yard punt in the second quarter ... Boomed a 51-yard punt late in the third quarter. Seattle (10/17): Tallied two punts for 81 yards in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Seahawks. N.Y. Jets (10/24): Punted three times for 110 yards (36.7 avg.), with all three punts landing inside the 20-yard line in the Patriots' 13-7 win over the Jets. at Pittsburgh (10/31): Registered three punts for 157 yards (52.3 avg.) while placing one kick inside the 20-yard line against the Steelers ... Booted a 54-yard punt that barely rolled into the end zone for a touchback in the first quarter ... Nailed a 55-yarder to the Pittsburgh 21-yard line in the second quarter. at St. Louis (11/7): Tallied two punts for 91 yards (45.5 avg.) in the Patriots' 40-22 road win against the Rams. Buffalo (11/14): Punted three times for 140 yards (46.7 avg.) in the Patriots' commanding 29-6 victory over the Bills. at Kansas City (11/22): Punted twice for 87 yards in the Patriots' 27-19 Monday Night victory over the Chiefs ... Placed his punts perfectly and did not allow return specialist Dante Hall to gain a yard on either of his two punt returns ... Boomed a 48-yard punt to the Chiefs 16-yard line in the first quarter. Baltimore (11/28): Punted eight times for 257 yards (32.1 avg.) in rainy, windy conditions in the Patriots' 24-3 victory over the Ravens ... Dropped a 29-yard punt to the Ravens' 3-yard line in the fourth quarter. at Cleveland (12/5): Punted three times for 101 yards (33.7 avg.) in the Patriots' 42-15 victory over the Browns. Cincinnati (12/12): Punted three times for 162 yards (54.0 avg.) in the Patriots' AFC East clinching 35-28 victory over the Bengals ... Boomed a 50-yard punt from deep in Patriots territory in the first quarter ... Nailed a season-best 69-yard punt from his own end zone in the fourth quarter. at Miami (12/20): Registered four punts for 171 yards (42.8 avg.), including two inside the 20-yard line. at N.Y. Jets (12/26): Punted four times for 147 yards (36.8-yard avg.) with two punts inside the 20-yard line in the Patriots' 23-7 victory over the Jets. San Francisco (1/2): Punted four times for 153 yards in the Patriots' 21-7 victory over the 49ers ... Dropped two punts inside the 49ers' 5-yard line ... Pinned the 49ers at their own 1-yard line with a 39-yard punt in the third quarter ... Booted a 45-yard punt that was downed at the 49ers' 4-yard line in the fourth quarter.
2004 Postseason (3/0/0/0): Indianapolis (1/16): Punted five times for 195 yards (39.0 avg.) in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts ... Boomed a 52-yard punt that bounced into the Colts end zone in the first quarter ... Pinned the Colts at their own 5-yard line with a 29-yard punt in the fourth quarter. at Pittsburgh (1/23): Punted four times for 161 yards (40.3 avg.) in the Patriots' 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers ... Booted a 45-yard punt in the second quarter. Philadelphia (2/6): Recorded seven punts for 316 yards (45.1 avg.), including three that were dropped inside the 20-yard line in the Patriots’ 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX … Boomed a 48-yard punt down to the Eagles 7-yard line … Pinned the Eagles deep in their own territory and helped thwart a Philadelphia comeback with a 32-yard punt that was downed at the Philadelphia 4-yard line with 46 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
2003 Season
2003 (16/0 - Pittsburgh): Miller produced another solid season, averaging 41.9 yards (3,521 total) on 84 punts … Compiled a 36-yard net average with 27 punts inside the 20-yard line … Completed the first pass of his pro career on a fake punt that resulted in an 81-yard touchdown in the season finale. Kansas City (9/14): Averaged 43.2 yards (216 total) on five punts, including one inside the 20-yard line … Had a net average of 30.8 yards. Tennessee (9/28): Punted just three times for 120 yards, a 40-yard average … Nailed two of his three punts inside the 20-yard line. Cleveland (10/5): Averaged 42.8 yards on five punts (214 total yards). Denver (10/12): Averaged 46.7 yards on seven punts, including a long of 54 yards. St. Louis (10/26): Averaged 43 yards on six punts … Nailed a season-high four punts inside the 20-yard line. Arizona (11/9): Averaged 39.4 yards (276 total) on seven punts with an outstanding 38.3 net average … Also placed three punts inside the 20-yard line. Cleveland (11/23): Averaged 46 yards on nine punts, including a 38.6 net average … Nailed two punts inside the Browns’ 20-yard line. Cincinnati (11/30): Averaged 55.3 yards on three punts (166 total yards) … Had a season long of 69 yards. Oakland (12/7): Placed three punts inside the 20-yard line and produced a net punting average of 38 yards. N.Y. Jets (12/14): Tied his season high by nailing four of five kicks inside the 20-yard line. Baltimore (12/28): Completed the first pass attempt of his pro career for an 81-yard touchdown to Chris Hope on a fake punt … Punted eight times for a 41-yard average … Had a net of 35.4 yards and nailed three punts inside the 20-yard line.
2002 Season
2002 (14/0 - Pittsburgh): Averaged 41.2 yards on 55 punts, including a season-best 62-yard kick … Placed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line. Oakland (9/15): Punted six times for 276 yards and an impressive 46-yard average … Had a long of 53 yards. Cleveland (9/29): Had a solid day, averaging 42.3 yards on four punts (169 yards), including a long of 62 yards. New Orleans (10/6): Punted four times for a 47.3-yard average, including a long of 52 yards. Baltimore (10/27): Averaged 43.8 yards on four punts, including a long of 51 yards. Atlanta (11/10): Punted five times for 221 yards and a 44.2-yard average … Nailed two punts inside the 20-yard line. Cincinnati (11/24): Punted just three times for a solid net-punting average of 38 yards … Placed two punts inside the 20-yard line … Averaged 41.7 yards. Carolina (12/15): Nailed a season-high three punts inside the 20-yard line.
2001 Season
2001 (16/0, 2/0 - Pittsburgh): Averaged 42.5 yards on 59 punts, including a long of 64 … Produced a 34.9-yard net average, while nailing 23 punts inside the 20-yard line. Jacksonville (9/9): Averaged 35.5 yards on two punts (71 yards), including a long of 56. Kansas City (10/14): Punted five times for 221 yards, a 44.2-yard average … Had a long punt of 60 yards. Tennessee (10/29): Punted three times for 135 yards for a 45.0-yard average … Placed two punts inside the 20-yard line. Baltimore (11/4): Had an excellent day, punting five times for a 52.4-yard average (262 yards) … Boomed a season-long 64 yard punt. Cleveland (11/11): Had an effective day, punting four times for a 46.8-yard average (187 yards). Jacksonville (11/18): Averaged an impressive 45.9 yards on eight punts (367 yards) and placed five of his eight punts inside the 20-yard line. Tennessee (11/25): Averaged 42 yards on four punts (168 total yards), including a long of 52. Cincinnati (12/30): Punted six times for a 38-yard average … Placed four of his six punts inside the 20-yard line … Had an impressive net of 36.8 yards. Cleveland (1/6): Hit three of his five punts inside the 20-yard line … Averaged 41.6 yards on five punts, including a long of 51. New England (1/27): Punted six times for 258 yards for a 43-yard average in the AFC Championship Game, including a long of 53 yards.
2000 Season
2000 (16/0 - Pittsburgh): Finished seventh in the AFC in punting with an average of 43.8 yards … Finished second in the NFL in punts inside the 20-yard line with 34, which tied a career high. Baltimore (9/3): Averaged an impressive 50.8 yards (305 total) on six punts. Cleveland (9/17): Nailed three kicks inside the five-yard line (2, 3 and 4). Tennessee (9/24): Had another solid day, averaging 48 yards on seven punts (336 total yards) … Also nailed three punts inside the 20-yard line. Jacksonville (10/1): Averaged 51 yards on two punts with one inside the 20-yard line. Cincinnati (10/15): Punted a team-record 12 times for 526 yards for a 43.8 average … Placed a season-high six punts inside the 20-yard line … Booted six of his 12 punts more than 50 yards and five more than 55 yards with a long of 59 … Had an impressive 38.8-yard net-punting average. Cleveland (10/22): Punted five times for 227 yards and a 45.4 average … Nailed three punts inside the 20-yard line … Had a long of 57 yards. Baltimore (10/29): Had a season-long punt of 67. Tennessee (11/5): Punted six times for 274 yards, a 45.7-yard average … Had a long of 51 yards. Jacksonville (11/19): Averaged 46 yards on four punts (184 total yards) … Also nailed two punts inside the 20-yard line … Produced a net average of 44.3 yards, a season high. Cincinnati (11/26): Averaged 41 yards on four punts with one inside the 20-yard line … Produced a net of 41 yards. Oakland (12/3): Averaged 43 yards on seven punts (301 total yards) … Placed four punts inside the 20-yard line … Had a long of 57. N.Y. Giants (12/10): Averaged 45 yards on three punts (135 total yards). San Diego (12/24): Punted six times for a 46.3-yard average (278 total yards).
1999 Season
1999 (16/0 - Pittsburgh): Selected as an alternate to the Pro Bowl … Finished third in the NFL (second in the AFC) with a 38.1 net-punting average … Was tied for third in the NFL and second in the AFC with a 45.2-yard average … Nailed 27 punts inside the 20-yard line … Surpassed 10,000 punt yards for his career. Seattle (9/26): Had a spectacular day, punting five times for 280 yards, for an impressive 56-yard average … Had a long of 68 yards. Jacksonville (10/3): Punted six times for 266 yards, a 44.3-yard average … Had a long of 56 yards. Atlanta (10/25): Performed superbly in the Steelers’ 13-9 victory on Monday Night Football … Averaged 45.7 yards on six punts (274 total yards) and also nailed two punts inside the 20-yard line and had a long punt of 60 yards. San Francisco (11/7): Had a very solid and effective day for the Steelers despite the extreme adverse weather conditions at 3Com Park … Averaged 41.8 yards per punt, punting five times for 209 yards, including a long of 53. Tennessee (11/21): Had an outstanding day punting, averaging 52.8 yards on four punts (211 total yards), with a long of 62 yards … Compiled a net-punting average of 49.3 yards. Jacksonville (12/2): Produced another splendid effort, averaging 52.7 yards on six punts (316 total yards), including a career-long 75-yarder … Tied for the second-longest punt in Steelers history with his 75-yard boot, which just missed being downed at the one-foot line. Baltimore (12/12): Averaged 42.7 yards (299) on seven punts with a long of 50 … Also nailed four of his punts inside the 20-yard line … Helped the team compile a solid 39.9-yard net punting average.
1998 Season
1998 (16/0 - Pittsburgh): Led the NFL with a career-high 34 punts inside the 20-yard line … Finished 11th in the NFL in net punting average (36.8 yards). Baltimore (9/6): Punted four times for 176 yards for a 44-yard average in the season-opener … Nailed a 68-yard punt to the Baltimore four-yard line with 27 seconds left in the game to help preserve the Steelers win. Chicago (9/13): Averaged a career-high 51.1 yards a punt on eight punts … Booted two kicks of 60 or more yards and five punts of 50 or more yards. Miami (9/20): Averaged 48.9 yards on nine punts (440 yards), including a booming 73-yard punt in the third quarter … Also nailed four punts inside the Dolphins’ 20-yard line. Cincinnati (10/11): Punted just two times for an impressive 49-yard average (98 total yards) … Placed a punt at the one-yard line in the fourth quarter that helped set up Norm Johnson’s 40-yard field goal … Booted a long of 57 yards. Tennessee (11/15): Punted four times for 152 yards and a 38-yard average … Nailed all four of his punts inside the 20-yard line … Held the Oilers to minus-five yards in punt returns. Detroit (11/26): Continued his outstanding season, punting five times for 221 yards and a 44.2-yard average. Tampa Bay (12/13): Punted just four times for a 45.3-yard average (181 yards) … Nailed two punts inside the 20-yard line. Cincinnati (12/20): Averaged 35.5 yards on eight punts but placed a season-high seven boots inside the 20-yard line … Also had two punts downed inside the 10-yard line.
1997 Season
1997 (16/0, 2/0 - Pittsburgh): Had a solid season, averaging 42.6 yards (2,729 total) on 64 punts … Accumulated a net average of 35.0 … Also nailed 17 kicks inside the opposing teams’ 20-yard line … Had one of his best games at Baltimore, compiling a season and career-high 50.5-yard punting average, including kicks of 63 and 53 yards … Resulted in a net average of 41.3 yards … Had another big game in the season-opener versus Dallas (08/31) despite punting a regular season-high eight times … Averaged 46.9 yards a punt in that game and had four punts of 50 or more yards and three punts longer than 55 yards … Had 16 of his 64 punts travel more than 50 yards … Also had one for 63 yards and a season-long 72-yarder versus Jacksonville (10/26) … Averaged 35.5 yards a kick in the two postseason games … Punted a season-high nine times against New England (1/3), averaging 32.7 yards a kick and nailed four inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
1996 Season
1996 (12/0, 2/0 - Pittsburgh): Played 12 games for Steelers after signing as a free agent … Finished season with 41.0 average and 33.6 net … Had average lowered by the fact 17 of his 55 punts (30 percent) were made from inside opponent’s 50-yard line … Opened season with six punts for 237 yards (39.5 avg.) at Jacksonville (9/1) … Had his progress hampered by inguinal hernia injury in Week 3 … Inactive for Games 4-7 and was replaced by Shayne Edge … Had an impressive return, averaging a then career-high 50.3 yards a punt and a 42.5 net on four punts in his first game back from hernia surgery at Atlanta (10/25) … Nailed a season-best four of six punts inside the 20-yard line versus Jacksonville (11/17) … Punted three times, including 59-yarder for second-highest average of 49.7 yards at Miami (11/25) … Booted five punts (46.6 avg.) and season long of 61 yards versus San Diego (12/08) … Had a then career-high eight punts at Carolina (12/22) … Kicked at least one punt longer than 50 yards in six of the final nine games … Played in both postseason games … Had two punts, including 59-yarder versus Indianapolis (12/29) … Averaged 42.0 yards on nine punts at New England (1/5).
1995 Season
1995 (18/0 - CFL: Baltimore Stallions): Played 18 games for the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League, averaging 47.7 yards with a 42.2-yard net on 118 punts … Handled 57 kickoffs with an average of 58.1 yards per attempt and a long kick of 69 yards … Earned Southern All-Star and CFL All-Star honors … Led CFL in punting average for second straight year.
1994 Season
1994 (18/0 - CFL: Baltimore Stallions): Played 18 games and punted 117 times for a 42.9 gross average (36.9-yard net) … Selected to the Eastern and CFL All-Star squads … Led the league in punting average.
Extra Points
Josh began his pro football career in the Canadian Football League, playing two seasons with the Baltimore Stallions from 1994-95. In each of his years in the CFL, he led the league in punting and was selected to the first team all-league.
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