Shane

Lechler

Sammy Baugh averaged 51.40 yards in 1940. Last we heard, there were no fantasy points for punting yards, but Lechler’s accomplishments are still newsworthy, and a big help to the Raiders’ defense.

No word on how long the Pro Bowler will be out.

Although Lechler is coming off a down season, punters don’t usually fall off the cliff at age 36. We suspect he has several good years left. Lechler is a nine-time Pro Bowler and six-time first-team All Pro. He’s led the NFL in yards-per-punt average five times. Lechler looks like a great pickup for Houston.

Just as Lechler promised, he’ll be ready to go well before the regular season starts. The six-time All-Pro punter is a good bet to be among the league leaders in gross average once again. He’s topped 50 yards per punt in two of the last three seasons.

Lechler was having pain and swelling in his knee so he got it cleaned out about 10 days before camp started. He has no doubts about being ready for the regular season. Lechler has been named an All-Pro six times in his 12 NFL seasons.

It’s bad timing for Lecher, whose four-year, $16 million contract is up after this season. The rebuilding Raiders may choose to move on from the seven-time Pro Bowler rather than sink a ton of money into a punter. They have another punter, Marquette King, stashed away on injured reserve.

It’s the perennial All Pro’s first visit. Lechler is coming off a down campaign at the age of 36, but it’s unlikely he’s suddenly over-the-hill. He’ll be a field-position weapon wherever he winds up.

''Hopefully, today I can get through that part and tomorrow probably go a little bit more,’' Lechler said. ''We are close enough (to the regular season) we’ve got to have an answer pretty quick.’'

Lechler hasn’t punted in three weeks because of the injury, but should be ready to go in the opener. The Pro Bowl punter should be in for another heavy workload this season.

Lechler, 33, led the league in net average, net yards, and put the third most punts inside his opponents’ 20-yard line last season. Punters can go strong well into their 30s, so Lechler shouldn’t have trouble playing out his new deal.