Panthers Release Jason Baker

[Panthers128]

You really can't make a fair judgement on this decision until you see who he is replaced with and how his replacement performs. Baker was a part of a special teams unit that performed poorly and no one should be surprised to see him let go. Just firing people isn't a solution though. Not everyone on the market is superior to the talent we let go. The management has its work cut out for them and it will be interesting seeing how they go about replacing some of the players who've departed in the last few days.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

You really can't make a fair judgement on this decision until you see who he is replaced with and how his replacement performs. Baker was a part of a special teams unit that performed poorly and no one should be surprised to see him let go. Just firing people isn't a solution though. Not everyone on the market is superior to the talent we let go. The management has its work cut out for them and it will be interesting seeing how they go about replacing some of the players who've departed in the last few days.

at least that he's let go is a positive 1st step. but yeah, if the guy we get to replace him is just or bad or worse then we're right back to square 1.

[CatMan72]

Remember the kicker that we just signed is also a pretty decent punter. He may be Bakers replacement, or you could see Mare released as well, deciding that we will let him do both duties.

Was wondering about this...

[panthersphan]

Great news! Now Clausen can wear #7 and Cam #2 ;)

[Stroupe-a-loop]

Baker has been trending down for a while and had the worst average for anybody that punted more than 10 times. We can probably upgrade.

[Chaos]

Cam will punt

#rosterspot

[cbully]

todd sauerbrun

[SOJA]

was it the Bears game in which we were supposed to NOT punt to Hester and he punted right to him?

[Mr. Scot]

todd sauerbrun

...was who we traded to get Baker.

[CRA]

Baker has been trending down for a while and had the worst average for anybody that punted more than 10 times. We can probably upgrade.

His average is a reflection of the pathetic ST coverage....he was expensive and just a punter so cutting him is no biggie. No P would have statistically been out of the bottom of the ranks in Carolina last year.

Everyone is talking about his net yardage and how cutting him improves outlet ST play....not that simple

[rmoneyg35]

While I believe that Baker was a good punter up until last year its time to move on but the question is do we go free agency or draft?

Thanks Baker for the memories, I do believe that you made a couple of TD saving tackles.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

His average is a reflection of the pathetic ST coverage....he was expensive and just a punter so cutting him is no biggie. No P would have statistically been out of the bottom of the ranks in Carolina last year.

Everyone is talking about his net yardage and how cutting him improves outlet ST play....not that simple

True, but he also had some punts that were bad this year. I'm not incredibly worried about the ST coverage being as ineffective this coming season unless we are also blessed with another record amount of IR-ed players.

[CRA]

True, but he also had some punts that were bad this year. I'm not incredibly worried about the ST coverage being as ineffective this coming season unless we are also blessed with another record amount of IR-ed players.

Yeah, I don't expect it to be as bad as last year...but coverage on his kicks was flat out poor the last 2-3 years.

We need better depth and guys who can play ST. It isn't just poor coaching IMO...we haven't given our ST coaches much to work with

[bleys]

was it the Bears game in which we were supposed to NOT punt to Hester and he punted right to him?

classic fans... can't remember poo if it was stuck on your upper lip...

“And we had a plan that we thought we could do consistently. The thing I felt strong about, felt good about it, was it was a kick that we've kicked every time this season, the rugby style, and had success with it. So I thought we could continue. But again as I said, it all comes back to me.”

Rivera pointed out Hester started 8 yards deep in the end zone on the kickoff return. On both returns, Rivera said there were players in position to make the tackle.

“And we didn't do it, unfortunately,” Rivera said. “But we have to do it and we're going to find guys that are going to do it. That's the other thing, too.”

problem was Baker didn't get the hang time that was expected.. had nothing to do with kicking it to Hester...