Shane Lechler: The Raiders' MVP for 2009?

Pure and simple, when the game is on the line, you need to pin the opponent deep and hope the defense can hold it.

Should punter be your biggest liability?

Last season, there was some debate if the Raiders would keep Shane Lechler. After all, they needed all the money they had to re-sign Nnamdi Asomugha... why worry about a punter?

Well, Shane isn't exactly ANY punter...found on this planet.

For a punter to be good, he needs several things to come together all at once. The ability to kick a good distance, is obvious. The ability to kick away from possible returns, angling kicks as needed and limiting an opponents' ability to return for good field position is another.

Most importantly is to kick and do it on a consistent basis, keeping the average high.

You have Shane Lechler's zip code, right?

Shane, for his career has always been good. For a fifth-round selection, he has been nothing but spectactular. Going through the charts at pro-football-reference.com, you would find him mentioned several times for yards per punt, punts, and yards.

Granted, when the Raiders haven't done well, getting a lot of practice does make perfect. Right now going into the last three games, Shane is tied with Sammy Baugh, at 51.4 yards a kick.

What makes it impressive, is that Sammy had his record, set in 1940, with only 35 kicks.

Shane Lechler, is maintaining his numbers, through 82 punts...almost certain to triple the number of punts Sammy had over 60 years earlier.

What also makes Shane's number seem otherworldly is the accuracy. In 82 kicks, he's only had 11 touchbacks, meaning he's not willing to give a free 20 yards on his kicks. He is also quick on his action, having never had a punt get blocked this year, and only three total, in his career.

How many punts has he done in that timeframe?

764 total punts. Over 36,000 yards of air time. A career average of 47.3, best average of all time.

One thing that will help Shane's numbers.

Come Sunday, he will be playing at Denver, Colorado. It would be a sight if he kicked it out of the stadium.

If there is something to watch these last three games, it would be this record to be set. Good luck Shane.

Shane Lechler's page at pro-football-reference.com:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LechSh20.htm

Pro-football-reference's record listing for punters, yardage-average:

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/punt_yds_per_punt_career.htm