New Orleans Saints: Morstead named second-best punter of decade

New Orleans Saints punter, Thomas Morstead, has graded out as the 2nd-best punter of the decade.  Pat McAfee takes home 1st-place honors.

In 2009, the New Orleans Saints drafted Thomas Morstead out of Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the 5th round with the 164th overall pick.  Morstead was the second punter taken in the draft, behind Kevin Huber.

Morstead finished the decade with a 92.4 rating from Pro Football Focus which uses its proprietary grading system to rate players by their respective positions.  Pat McAfee was the only punter to finish ahead of Morstead, scoring a 95.3 rating.

Since 2010, Morstead has averaged 47.11 yards per punt and 57.2 punts per season.  Morstead’s total punt yards for the last ten seasons total 26,988 yards.

One of Morstead’s more memorable boots of the decade came in 2012 when he hit his career-best, a 70-yard bomb.  In addition to being known for his power, Morstead has only allowed one blocked punt in his eleven seasons with the Saints.

Surprisingly, Morstead has only been selected to one Pro Bowl, in 2012, when he averaged 50.1 yards per punt.  Morstead has never been named first-team All-Pro. An all-decade punter, it seems wild to think Morstead hasn’t received more accolades.

While Morstead has shined in his role as a punter, he will go down in Saints’ lore as the kickoff specialist responsible for “ambush” in Super Bowl XLIV.

Since 2009, Morstead has consistently flipped field position on opponents and given the Saints an edge in hidden yardage. He’s been a secret weapon of sorts for the Saints, being one more the most consistent performers on the team.

While many Saints fans raised their eyebrows when a fifth-round pick was used to acquire Morstead, he has proven to be a valuable asset and one of the best in the business.

At 33, Morstead likely still has some of his best days ahead.