The Eagles have added some competition at the punter position, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, who tweets that Ryan Quigley has signed a one-year contract with the club. The Eagles have since officially confirmed the move.
Quigley, 26, has been the Jets’ punter for the last three seasons, but was eligible for restricted free agency last month, and Gang Green opted not to tender him a contract. In 2015, Quigley’s 36.5 net yards per punt ranked second-last in the NFL among the league’s starting punters. He also ranked among the NFL’s worst punters in terms of overall return yardage (432 yards) and yards per return (12.7).
Conversely, Donnie Jones, the Eagles’ starting punter, had a solid 41.6 net yardage average on his attempts, good for sixth in the NFL, and limited opposing returners to 5.1 yards per attempts, which ranked third.
Based on the two punters’ performances, it seems unlikely that Quigley would supplant Jones as the starter in Philadelphia, but he’ll provide some competition in camp, and would represent a cheaper alternative if Jones struggles or gets injured.
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