Chiefs: Okay Boomer – Not Your Average Punter

Chiefs: Okay Boomer – Not Your Average Punter – I really don’t want to like the Chiefs new punter, Tommy Townsend. Admittedly, all of my reasons have no solid basis. Rather telling of the ever-growing curmudgeon in me:

· “These young kickers, these days! Whatever happened to the greats like Ray Guy, Jeff Feagles, Jerrel Wilson, and Dustin Colquitt….”

· “What was wrong with Colquitt? He stuck with the Chiefs through thick and thin.”

· “It’s not like he’s a real football player. He’s just a kicker.”

Despite the summoning of my inner-Archie Bunker, the more I read about, and study, Tommy Townsend, the more I like him.

Sure, I’ll miss Dustin Colquitt. We all will. However, football is a business, and life goes on. Letting Colquitt go, although hard, saves the Chiefs $2M against the cap. My hope is that Colquitt rightfully lands in both the Chiefs Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame within the next decade. Note to HOF voters: former Chiefs punter Jerrel Wilson is about four decades overdue — Do the right thing!

“He’s the best punter I ever coached, the best punter I’ve ever been around. He’s going to be hard to replace.” – K.C. Chiefs Special Teams coach, Dave Toub, on Dustin Colquitt

So, as we wish the best for our stalwart punter, Colquitt, in his future endeavors, let’s be just as sincere in welcoming the young Florida Gator, Tommy Townsend, to Chiefs Kingdom. The 23-year-old, 6-foot-1, 191 lbs. Townsend just ain’t your average punter. After a brief stint with the Tennessee Volunteers in his freshman year, the Florida native took over punting duties from older brother, Johnny Townsend, for the University of Florida in 2018.

The Oakland Raiders drafted brother Johnny Townsend in the 5th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Raiders released the elder Townsend on waivers in August 2019. The New York Giants picked up Johnny Townsend off of waivers that same month, but he was unceremoniously released that same month and he’s currently a free agent.

The younger Townsend, after sitting out the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules and riding the oak in the 2017 season, eclipsed by fellow Gator, brother Johnny, made the most of the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Tommy Townsend’s collegiate accomplishments are impressive:

• Holds University of Florida school record for most yards by a punter in a game (432 yards on 93 punts – 44.8 yard average).
• Holds record for seventh longest punt (71-yards).
• In 2018, Townsend boomed 14 punts of over 50 yards (average – 45.4 yards per punt/2,135 yards on 51 punts). This includes 14 punts over 50 yards and 24 punts inside the 20.
• In 2019, our young Mr. Townsend booted 42 punts for 1,847 yards on 42 punts (44.0 yard average per kick).
• Townsend finished his collegiate career as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award and was named to the Preseason Second Team All-Sec.

The thing about Tommy Townsend? He ain’t your average punter.

Kansas City Chiefs Special Teams coach Dave Toubs saw Tommy Townsend’s specialness prior to this year’s draft.

“Tommy is a little [cleaner] in his technique as far as consistency, whereas Tyler [Newsome] is a little more erratic. But the results are the same. They both bomb the ball. We just need to clean Tyler up a bit more. But I’ll tell you what, the competition is going to be real fun.”

Well, Tommy won.

Tyler Newsome, a UDFA out of Notre Dame, was competing with Townsend for the Chiefs punting job until the Chiefs waived him late last week.

Toub must be pinching himself to ensure that he’s not dreaming, seeing as he has a punter who runs a 4.75 – 40-yard dash — the fastest among punters at the 2020 NFL Combine — and has shown himself adept at being a master at fake punts.

So, Newsome’s gone and Colquitt’s history, and the Chiefs new punter is Tommy Townsend. While I accepted it grudgingly at first, I now embrace this new reality with eagerness, anxiousness, positivity, and a cheerful disposition. I invite and encourage all Chiefs Kingdom to do likewise.

For those worried about the change of holder for field goals and PATs… fret not.

Townsend has been handling those duties since high school.

“I’ve always had a little bit of fire as a football player. Growing up I played running back and in high school I played corner and safety, so I’ve always been pretty aggressive. That’s one thing I have in my mind that I think is an advantage. I’m a little bit more aggressive than the typical punter.” – Tommy Townsend

Despite the kvetch I am… I can’t help but chuckle when I think of the absolute bombs that Townsend will boot on the occasional Chiefs fourth downs this season. Okay Boomer… is going to have a whole new meaning!

Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne

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