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I have to assume he was unhappy that he never got signed to the roster and was looking at being active in the Playoffs as the bare minimum. When he was inactive because of injuries at other positions and then saw we had a bunch more injuries at other positions, i'm guessing he got fed up and said I'd rather go home than work all week in Buffalo for peanuts. There's definitely other players that would be better candidates to release from the Practice Squad than Lenny. So it had to have been more than just needing to make room on the PS for a Punter like Matt Haack or a LB like Christian Kirksey.

False. Matt Haack was recently made a Free Agent. He has actual experience on Sunday's and has more of a rapport with everyone you mentioned than Araiza does. It'll be Haack, not Araiza, if Martin can't go this week. It's not even a question, save for Araiza fanatics that just want to will it to to happen.

I think he gets a shot to prove himself with a team in Training Camp. Midseason, teams have their Punter situation settled. Teams carry one and if someone gets hurt, they go out and sign someone else. Teams don't carry Punters on the Practice Squad. And as I've said previously, he's been out of Football for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Prior to that, he played in only one Pre-Season game and Punted the ball in that game just once. So where he's at now and his potential is a complete unknown. So even if there were an injury, teams aren't going to just throw a guy on the field with no experience. Especially not in the Playoffs. Compounding all of that is the off the field noise. Yes, he has been cleared of possibly criminal charges and the civil lawsuit has been recently dropped. But the fact remains that anyone who signs him is going to have to deal with being the team that signed the guy who was accused of sexual assault. The media is going to make a thing of it for a bit and the story is going to be brought back up. Part of that story includes a public admission that he slept with an underaged girl. Yes, he didn't know. But for a lot of people, it doesn't matter. He still slept with an underage girl and his admission to doing so is public record. Which is not going to go over well with a lot of fans of whoever signs him. And on top of all of that... he's a Punter. If he were a QB or a WR or something, teams would be willing to deal with a bit of a distraction. But for a Punter and a Punter who is essentially a developmental prospect? Most GM's aren't wanting to deal with questions regarding a frickin' Punter. Like I said, I do think there's a chance someone gives him a shot in the Offseason, where dealing with any sort of distraction is much easier to deal with. And at a time when Punting competitions are happening and developmental prospects have a chance to prove they can handle Game Day. But midseason and especially now? It's no surprise to me he's been unsigned.

Yeah, it is. As competition for Martin in Training Camp after the season. But not right now.

Well and that's just it. Maybe after the Chiefs game, if we win - he might be able to play. Though if he pushes through it after a week, he's going to be less than 100% Regardless, we're talking about him playing 6 days from now. No way.

Oh yeah. That's a no brainer. I didn't realize he was a Free Agent. He was released on January 2nd. Without a doubt if Martin can't go, it will be Haack.

Holding for Bass for a month or two in Training Camp almost 2 years ago is not going to make them value him over a veteran. He hasn't practiced with any team in almost 2 years and has a career total of 1 Punt in the Pre-Season. If Martin can't go, it'll be a vet coming in. It's the Playoffs. Not a roll the dice situation.

He was writhing in pain on the field, couldn't stand on it, and was carted off the field with an air brace applied bc they thought it was broken. I assume it's a High. But whatever kind of sprain it is, that's not something that you just "tape up" and play on 6 days later. Hopefully we're in the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl. Maybe he has a chance for at least one of those games. But next week we have to hope Dodson is back and that a full week of practice with the expectation of a heavy workload for Klein and Williams makes them play even better.

Yeah, that's not how heavy sprains work in the NFL. If it was bad enough that they had to put him in an air cast and on a cart, it's really good news it's a Sprain. But severe High Ankle Sprains keep NFL players on the sidelines for Weeks. You don't "tape it up" and have full mobility in 6 days.

Araiza is essentially a Rookie and hasn't practiced with a team in 2 years. If he's brought back by anyone, it won't be until Training Camp to evaluate him and compete with someone. They're not going to bring him on the field in the Playoffs with a career total of 1 Punt in a Pre-Season game.

Allen Shakir Jackson Oliver Klein

I was never confident with Bass and this season, he's gotten worse. I think we really need some serious competition for him in Training Camp next year, at least. When he lines up, I assume he's going to miss it and am pleasantly surprised when he doesn't. That's not where I want to be with a FG kicker.

Bass is toast. He's just awful.

First 2 picks back to back? No, that won't happen. Too many needs, as you stated. But there needs to be one in Round 1 or Round 2 (preferably Round 1) and 1 more between Rounds 3 and 7.

The possibility exists though. And when it comes to a Punter who is a developmental prospect, teams don't want to even bother. Signing him will undoubtedly have the situation brought up again by the media, informing some fans who didn't know the situation prior. Then there's the problem that even though he has been cleared of criminal activity, what has been confirmed involving him is unscrupulous. Though he was unaware of her age, the fact remains that it is documented, public knowledge that he slept with an underaged girl. And regardless of whether he knew or not, that fact and it being public knowledge is damning and cause for outrage to some, if not many. Media will surely have questions for the GM who does bring him in about the situation. These are things teams don't want to deal with Midseason for a Punter who isn't even on the roster. I'm not saying it's right. I'm not saying he shouldn't get another chance. I'm simply saying when it comes to why he's not on a Practice Squad right now - it has nothing to do with his talent or lack thereof. I do believe he will be given an opportunity by someone to earn a job in Training Camp. I don't see him being handed a job, essentially being a Rookie, and being 2 years removed from Football. And I think that's another part of it. Midseason, teams have their Punter situation all set. Teams don't generally keep a Punter on the PS. Teams probably view him as a bring to Training Camp, have him compete, and see what happens type guy right now. And I think that's what teams are waiting for. That and dealing with any sort of distraction or fall out is much easier to deal with in the Offseason. I could be wrong here, but I think that only happens if he doesn't have any other options. I do know that Araiza has said Buffalo has been keeping in contact with him through the process. So I do think it's very possible that they offer him a shot to come to Training Camp to make amends. On the other hand though, Araiza during his appearance on HBO Sports seemed upset that he was cut and felt it wasn't fair to him. So I could easily see a scenario where if he has another option, he'd rather go there.

It's not a matter of ability that's keeping him off teams. It's teams not wanting to deal with ANY controversy or distraction amongst media or fanbases for a Punter. Especially midseason and especially for a player not even on the roster.

Hearing Baker say on the last play before Halftime, "if he throws it over here, i'm gonna let him catch it" was rough. Absolutely can't try that and it seems like they goaded him into doing it by staying back, leaving him open, and preparing to stop it. Luckily it didn't matter in the end.

I don't expect any changes. McDermott survived the 9/11 media storm and rather than losing the team down the stretch (which is what it would have taken for any change to be considered there), the team rallied behind him and miraculously pulled off winning the division. He's safe. I think Brady will keep the job. The offense when it struggles of late seems to be execution issues more than playcalls or game planning. And the team has gone 5-1 since he took over. And I don't expect a horribly called game on Sunday. So I'd bet he keeps the gig for next year.

It goes to show how respected league wide Brandon Beane is. Assistants of his are consistently looked at for GM jobs.

We fired Ken Dorsey when we were 6-6. Since then, with Joe Brady as our OC, we've gone 5-0 and just took the Division and secured the 2 seed. Really odd time to be talking about replacing him.

NSFW:

I think it's too late now. If we wanted to do that, the time to try was a couple weeks ago. Offensive Line is a different situation where you're playing as one unit off of each other. You don't experiment with switching guys around there in the Playoffs.

He's DK1 now.

This would require the entire team not looking at their phones, every players family and friends knowing of the gag order, literally encountering no one at the stadium or hotel (as I'm sure someone is going to say "congratulations on making the playoffs"), not interacting with any fans pre-game, avoiding being within earshot of fans, and not interacting with the Dolphins at all (as there is often friendly interactions during the game, as evidenced by mic'd up replays). Long story short, no, it isn't possible.

If we're playing the "in a different world" card, I'd prefer to imagine the one where we have the 1 seed locked up and tonight means nothing.