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Orchard Park, NY (WGR550) -- The longest-tenured member of the Buffalo Bills is no longer a part of the organization. Following three games where his production left some to be desired, 12-year veteran Brian Moorman was released by the team on Tuesday.
In a production based business, the long-time Bills punter's net average was way down in 2012. Boasting a career 37.6 net per punt, Moorman only averaged 32.7 yards through 15 tries. The punt team has also allowed a touchdown to New York Jets returner Jeremy Kerley.
The net average ranks 31st out of 32 punters around the NFL.
"Brian did most the talking," GM Buddy Nix said of the meeting to tell Moorman he had been cut. "Very congenial with having been here, and thankful for the chance and for the years he's spent with the Bills. [He] handled it really well. That's never easy."
Moorman's release paves the way for the Bills to bring back punter Shawn Powell on to the active roster. Powell was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent and was in competition with Moorman all throughout training camp and the preseason.
The former Florida State punter lost the competition outright, and was released by the Bills in late August. Powell is the Seminoles' career leader in punting average, yielding a 44.2 yard punt per try. Nix commented that he believes Powell has a lot of upside.
When asked why the decision came now, three weeks in to the season, Nix said it was in the best interest of the team.
"At the time [of Powell's initial release], we thought we made the right move, and today we think we did, he said. "No reflection again on Brian. He's done a great job here. It's just, we're moving on."
Nix would not confirm if Powell would be replacing Moorman in handling the holding duties on field goal attempts. He also said the money owed to Moorman for the season ($1.675 million total) in the last year of his contract did not factor in to the decision. Nix also said that Moorman did not ask for the release.
The Bills get back to practice on Wednesday in preparations for their next game against the New England Patriots.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia
In a production based business, the long-time Bills punter's net average was way down in 2012. Boasting a career 37.6 net per punt, Moorman only averaged 32.7 yards through 15 tries. The punt team has also allowed a touchdown to New York Jets returner Jeremy Kerley.
The net average ranks 31st out of 32 punters around the NFL.
"Brian did most the talking," GM Buddy Nix said of the meeting to tell Moorman he had been cut. "Very congenial with having been here, and thankful for the chance and for the years he's spent with the Bills. [He] handled it really well. That's never easy."
Moorman's release paves the way for the Bills to bring back punter Shawn Powell on to the active roster. Powell was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent and was in competition with Moorman all throughout training camp and the preseason.
The former Florida State punter lost the competition outright, and was released by the Bills in late August. Powell is the Seminoles' career leader in punting average, yielding a 44.2 yard punt per try. Nix commented that he believes Powell has a lot of upside.
When asked why the decision came now, three weeks in to the season, Nix said it was in the best interest of the team.
"At the time [of Powell's initial release], we thought we made the right move, and today we think we did, he said. "No reflection again on Brian. He's done a great job here. It's just, we're moving on."
Nix would not confirm if Powell would be replacing Moorman in handling the holding duties on field goal attempts. He also said the money owed to Moorman for the season ($1.675 million total) in the last year of his contract did not factor in to the decision. Nix also said that Moorman did not ask for the release.
The Bills get back to practice on Wednesday in preparations for their next game against the New England Patriots.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia