Punting Averages from Tennessee Titans Specialists

In the NFL, punting averages are a quiet but critical measure of a team’s field position battle—each yard gained on a punt can shift momentum, force opponents into longer drives, and reduce the risk of scoring. For the Tennessee Titans, their punting specialists have consistently played a role in shaping this battle, with punting averages that reflect both individual talent and strategic adjustments. Unlike flashy touchdowns or sacks, punting averages often fly under the radar, but they’re a key indicator of a special teams unit’s effectiveness. Punting Averages from Tennessee Titans Specialists explores the franchise’s history of punting excellence, highlighting top performers, breaking down the factors that influence punting averages, and showing how this metric has contributed to the team’s overall success.

Punting Averages from Tennessee Titans Specialists first delves into the “Hentrich Era” (1999–2009), when Craig Hentrich established himself as one of the most reliable punters in franchise history. Hentrich’s career punting average with the Titans was 43.1 yards per punt, a mark that stood as the franchise record for over a decade. His best season came in 2003, when he averaged 45.2 yards per punt—ranking 6th in the NFL that year—and helped the Titans finish 3rd in the league in net punting average (38.9 yards). What set Hentrich apart wasn’t just leg strength; it was his precision. He specialized in directional punting, often placing kicks within the opponent’s 20-yard line (he had a 35% inside-the-20 rate in 2003) to limit return opportunities. “Craig didn’t just kick the ball far—he kicked it smart,” said former Titans special teams coordinator Alan Lowry. “He could put a punt within a yard of the sideline, forcing the returner to make a quick decision or risk going out of bounds.” Hentrich’s consistency was remarkable: over 11 seasons with the Titans, his punting average never dropped below 41.5 yards, and he missed just two games due to injury. For an era when the Titans relied heavily on their run game, Hentrich’s ability to pin opponents deep was crucial to keeping the defense rested and limiting scoring chances.

The next chapter in Punting Averages from Tennessee Titans Specialists is the “Transition Period” (2010–2018), a time of turnover at the punter position that brought mixed results in punting averages. After Hentrich retired in 2009, the Titans cycled through punters like Brett Kern, A.J. Trapasso, and Ryan Quigley, each with varying levels of success. Kern, who played for the Titans from 2010–2022, emerged as the most consistent of the group, posting a career punting average of 45.3 yards with the Titans—surpassing Hentrich’s franchise record. His breakout season came in 2017, when he averaged 47.1 yards per punt (ranking 4th in the NFL) and set a franchise single-season record for net punting average (42.3 yards). Trapasso, who played in 2010, struggled with consistency, averaging just 40.8 yards per punt before being replaced midseason. Quigley, a short-term signing in 2018, averaged 44.2 yards but lacked the directional control of Kern. This period’s fluctuating averages (ranging from 40.8 to 47.1 yards) mirrored the Titans’ broader special teams challenges, including changes in coaching staff and return units. “Finding a punter who can combine distance with accuracy is tough,” said former Titans head coach Mike Mularkey. “Brett [Kern] gave us that, but before him, we were still figuring things out.” Kern’s arrival stabilized the position, laying the groundwork for future punting success.

Punting Averages from Tennessee Titans Specialists entered a new era with the emergence of Ryan Stonehouse in 2022, a young punter whose leg strength has redefined the Titans’ punting game. Stonehouse’s career punting average with the Titans (through 2024) is 48.7 yards per punt—easily the highest in franchise history and among the top 3 in the NFL over that span. His rookie season was historic: he averaged 51.1 yards per punt, breaking the NFL rookie record and leading the league in punting average. Stonehouse’s ability to hit deep punts (he has 23 punts of 60+ yards in his career) has transformed the Titans’ field position battle, forcing opponents to start drives an average of 7 yards deeper than they did before his arrival. “Ryan has a once-in-a-generation leg,” said current Titans special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman. “He can hit a 60-yard punt with ease, but what’s impressive is he still maintains accuracy—he had a 40% inside-the-20 rate in 2023.” For the Tennessee Titans, Stonehouse’s high punting average has been a game-changer: the team ranked 2nd in the NFL in net punting average (43.5 yards) in 2023, helping the defense rank 5th in points allowed. His ability to flip the field has also reduced pressure on the offense, giving them shorter fields to work with when they take over.

Punting Averages from Tennessee Titans Specialists also explores how external factors like weather and stadium conditions impact punting averages—a reality that Titans punters have long had to navigate. Nissan Stadium, the Titans’ home field, is known for its unpredictable weather, including strong winds off the Cumberland River and heavy rain in the fall. These conditions can significantly reduce punting distance: for example, Brett Kern’s home punting average was 43.8 yards, compared to 46.9 yards on the road. Ryan Stonehouse faced similar challenges in 2023, when a November game against the Indianapolis Colts saw winds gusting to 25 mph—his average that day dropped to 44.3 yards, well below his season average of 48.7. The Titans’ special teams staff has adapted to these conditions by adjusting punting strategies: in windy games, they prioritize directional punting (aiming for the sidelines to limit wind impact) over distance. “Weather is a wild card,” Aukerman said. “You can have a punter with a 50-yard average, but if the wind is blowing 30 mph, you have to change your approach.” For the Tennessee Titans, understanding these environmental factors has been key to maintaining consistency in punting averages. They use advanced weather tracking tools to forecast conditions before games, allowing the punter and special teams unit to prepare adjustments ahead of time.

The final aspect of Punting Averages from Tennessee Titans Specialists is the connection between punting averages and special teams coordination—specifically, how the long snapper and holder impact a punter’s ability to hit his marks. A bad snap or a fumbled hold can disrupt a punter’s rhythm, leading to shorter, less accurate kicks. The Titans have invested heavily in their long snapping position, with players like Beau Brinkley (2012–2023) providing consistent snaps for both Kern and Stonehouse. Brinkley’s snap accuracy—he had just 2 errant snaps in 12 seasons—allowed punters to focus on distance and direction rather than adjusting to bad snaps. The holder, often the team’s backup quarterback or kicker, also plays a role: a smooth hold ensures the punter can approach the ball with confidence. “People don’t realize how much the snapper and holder matter,” said former Titans long snapper Ken Amato. “A half-second delay from a bad snap can cost a punter 5–10 yards on a kick.” For the Tennessee Titans, this focus on special teams cohesion has paid off: their punters have recorded the fewest blocked punts in the AFC over the past decade (just 3), and their net punting average has consistently ranked in the top 10. This coordination, combined with elite punting talent, has made the Titans’ special teams unit one of the most reliable in the league. Together, these elements—talent, strategy, weather adaptation, and team cohesion—have created a legacy of strong punting averages that continue to shape the Tennessee Titans’ success on the field.