Breaking: Hunter Smith likely to get cut

by BigBlueShoe on Feb 16, 2009 1:02 PM EST in Colts News Comment 20 comments

One of our own readers might have some insider info on the future status of Hunter Smith. As slider09 suggests, the Colts may cut Hunter in order to save cap space. Hunter costs $941,428 against Indy's cap in 2009, the last year of his current contract. I'm not sure if his 2009 money is guaranteed, but nearly $1 million for a punter is a lot.

Recently, the Colts signed P Mike Dragosavich. He spent some time with the Patriots and Browns last year.

Cutting Hunter would not be a move based on performance or anything like that. Indy has always brought in punters, looking for a cheaper alternative to Hunter. And every year, Hunter has beaten them out. He really improved his ability to punt with his coverage (instead of too far ahead of it) in 2008. Also, his FG holds for Adam Vinatieri are excellent, even when the snap is crap.

However, this year, the Colts may go with a cheaper, and possibly less effective, alternative to Smith. Remember, the crappy economy affects the Colts as well. Like several other teams, they may need to make moves just to save money as well as cap space.

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As you mentioned, slider09 posted this a few days ago

Is there more news in addition to what was originally posted?

by LovinBlue on Feb 16, 2009 1:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

here a work out of our new punter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vZiaMrdRCs

Nate Davis = beast, God I hope he doesn't go to Detriot.......

by colts9318rock on Feb 16, 2009 1:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That guy is pretty big.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.

by KingRichard on Feb 16, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep we've found our Third WR and Punter in one guy

he also threw a 47 yard pass in college so watch out Jim Sorgi

Nate Davis = beast, God I hope he doesn't go to Detriot.......

by colts9318rock on Feb 16, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40

by LovinBlue on Feb 16, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jim Sorgi cant throw the ball 40 yards

pick your poison

Nate Davis = beast, God I hope he doesn't go to Detriot.......

by colts9318rock on Feb 16, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn straight he does

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Feb 16, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Possibly he should step in as a back once in a while :)

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Feb 16, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he has been a solid punter for us although compared to some other punters around the league, hes just average compared to what he is getting paid. Im all for paying your punter deserved $$ for performance but Im with you on the one million for a 42 or 43 yard average is alot of money

now we could be the jags and reaction to hearing fred taylor was just shown the door

I still will not be shocked if the jags move to LA soon

hope fragile fred doesnt pull a hamstring packing

Im pretty sure the colts show a little more respect to harrison when and if he is released

by kinnickcolt on Feb 16, 2009 2:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

About Hunter the Punter

OK,

1.I highly doubt the crappy economy is effecting the Colts that much. Back in the day like in the 02 season, the Colts and Pats were the only 2 teams in the NFL selling out all their games. Hell as much as I kind of hate to say it, (becuase the Pats are a bunch of cheaters) if it wern’t for Brady and Manning the NFL wouldn’t be anywere near as popular as it is today.

2.Now about Hunter the punter, everyone knew that when Polian threatened to use the franchise tag on Kelvin Hayden. Hunter Smith would likely be cut even with Dallas Clark and Bob Sanders taking a pay cut.

3.Personally as a Colts fan, I don’t really care that much about Hunter Smith (even though I think it would be nice for the Colts to get him back next year) being cut, because of how poorly he punted the ball in the playoffs against SD (who will never win any type of title in professional sports and only beat the Colts in the playoffs last season, because their little prick punter got extreemly lucky). I’ve already got Smith’s autograph 3 times at training camp and the Colts can always draft a punter in the 5th or 6th round of the 09 draft. Or they could just sign one like the Patty Cakes do about every year.

Go Colts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by PatsR18*andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Feb 16, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yes I do remember screaming at hunter during the SD game too. he stunk in that game. when we needed a big punt we got shanks

that being said I cant remember the guy ever getting a punt blocked. Im sure he has but at least we knew he would get a decent one off…most of the time

by kinnickcolt on Feb 16, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

its interesting seeing these loyal players getting released but I have always said, outside of 2 or 3 guys mostly FA is garbage

this year I see 3 guys who are worth it and thats it…peppers, asomugha and haynesworth. thats it

fred taylor has hands of stone. good luck with thinking that any team that picks him up he wont have to catch a ball out of the backfield too.

by kinnickcolt on Feb 16, 2009 2:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

3?

There’s definitely more than 3.

Owen Daniels, Housh, Jordan Gross, Jahri Evans, Jason Brown, Saturday, Peppers, Canty, Olshansky, Suggs, LeRoy Hill (pot smoking aside), Dansby, Vilma, Scott, Lewis (if you don’t mind age), Nnamdi, Bodden, Hayden, Jermaine Phillips, and a ton of guys that have upside. Like Buckhalter.

And two of the dudes you just named have serious ego issues.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Feb 16, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A lot of overrated guys in that list. Like Peppers, Olshansky, Vilma, etc.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.

by KingRichard on Feb 17, 2009 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would like the move that new guy looks pretty good, and Hunter the punter’s cap number is way 2 high

by Bleed Blue and White18 on Feb 16, 2009 3:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

question

Does anybody know why he did not stick with a club prior to us signing him???

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Feb 16, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Att. BBS.

Hey, I was just wondering if you or any of the other writers could do a piece on the Colts and how the poor economy affects the team.
It’s just that it has been mentioned numerous times, and I would like to know how much it really affects us. I mean, the NFL seems liked a closed of economy, and even though there’s gotta be some sort of reaction, I still can’t see why a lower pay roll would result in a better fiscal year for our boys in blue.

Regards, Christian

by jocre on Feb 17, 2009 2:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm planning on such a piece

I will stress that the economy is affecting the Colts and their player moves. It is affecting all teams.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Feb 17, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds terrific..

I’m really looking forward to that piece, thanks for taking the time :)

by jocre on Feb 17, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

All sports seem to be affected

Look at what’s happening with FA signings in baseball. Spring Training has started and there’s a ton of valuable guys who either just signed or are still on the market. If it wasn’t for the economy the players union would be shouting “Collusion!”

by ctnyc on Feb 17, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs