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Marquette King

P Marquette King Seeking NFL Opportunity

June 30th, 2024 at 12:40pm CST by Rory Parks

Marquette King has not punted for an NFL team since 2018. However, he still wants to get back in the league, and he is hopeful that a recent addition to his resume will assist him in that endeavor.

Now 35, King was named to the All-UFL team for his work with the Arlington Renegades this year, and in a post on X, he referenced that accomplishment and included a video of one of his recent punts (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk).

He wrote, “you can’t tell me that there are 32 punters better than me. All UFL Punter in a league where punting isn’t easy at all! I’m manifesting a call from an NFL team again soon… by the way what was the hang on this?”

King signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and ultimately spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve. The following summer, he beat out veteran Chris Kluwe for the club’s punter job, and he ended up leading the league with 48.9 yards per boot. His big leg and on-field celebrations made him one of the most recognizable figures in one of the least glamorous positions in sports, and he remained with the Raiders through the end of the 2017 campaign.

In January 2018, the Raiders hired Jon Gruden as their new head coach, and the club released King several months later due to a “personality clash.” King had racked up four personal foul penalties over the prior two seasons, and he was also assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct foul when dancing with a penalty flag that had been thrown against the Bills for roughing the punter.

In an effort to exact some revenge against his former employer, King quickly signed with the division-rival Broncos, whose high-altitude home venue also seemed to be a good fit for his abilities. Unfortunately, he suffered a thigh injury in a loss to the Chiefs in Week 4 of the 2018 season, and then-HC Vance Joseph called him out for what he perceived to be a lackluster performance in that contest, a performance that Joseph did not attribute to the injury. It was reported at the time that King would be placed on IR but would be released when healthy, and that is indeed what came to pass.

That Kansas City game is the last NFL contest in which King appeared. Over his four-game 2018 sample, his 44.1 yards-per-punt average was 22nd in the league, though he had already placed seven kicks inside the 20, which put him just outside the top-10 in that regard. While he did generate some free agent interest over the next couple of years, none of that interest produced a contract. It appears his last workout for an NFL team came in November 2020, when he visited the Cowboys.

In light of that, it is difficult to say whether he will land an opportunity with an NFL club, but he’s making his case just the same.

Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant, Josh Gordon, Marquette King On XFL Rosters

February 9th, 2023 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

The XFL will begin its third try next week. The rebooting league’s latest season will begin Feb. 18, nearly two months before USFL 2.0’s second season is scheduled to start.

This setup will make for a strange winter-spring period in which two minor leagues of sorts will be in operation. Considering the short tenures of XFL 2.0 (2020) and the Alliance of American Football (2019), this will be one of the more interesting years for non-NFL football.

Numerous former NFLers line the XFL’s season-opening rosters. Here are some of the players who will be part the league’s latest eight-team configuration. The full rosters can be found here.

Arlington Renegades

King has not punted since the 2018 season, when the Broncos waived him not long after signing the veteran specialist to a multiyear deal. King, 34, punted for the Raiders for five seasons.

D.C. Defenders

Armstead received workout opportunities and landed with multiple teams, but the former Jaguars backup has been unable to regain his footing since missing all of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 complications. A former Packers second-round pick, Murphy has six NFL seasons under his belt. Reid, 31, played eight NFL seasons — most recently suiting up in 2021 — and was a regular for the Lions early in his career. Brice started 10 games for the Packers in 2018; he has not played since.

Houston Roughnecks

Davis started 42 games for the Steelers from 2017-19; he played with three teams during the 2021 season. A

Orlando Guardians

Elam logged 26 starts for the Ravens, but his NFL run stopped after the 2016 season. A former Broncos second-round pick, Latimer played six NFL seasons and ended up a 10-game starter for the Giants in 2019. Lynch was part of the 2016 and ’17 Broncos squads along with Latimer but, despite his first-round status, flamed out of the league after two seasons. He has since spent time in the CFL and USFL.

San Antonio Brahmas

Ballage did not play in the NFL this season but saw action in 17 games for the Steelers in 2021. Wing served as the Giants’ punter for three seasons. Sinnett was with the Dolphins this season, joining the team following Tua Tagovailoa‘s Week 4 concussion.

Seattle Sea Dragons

The biggest name in this XFL edition, Gordon became a journeyman in recent years. He was most recently with the Titans, catching on with Tennessee this year before being released in October. The former All-Pro spent the 2021 season with the Chiefs. Suspensions hijacked the 31-year-old pass catcher’s career. The Cowboys cut DiNucci just before this season, and while workout opportunities came, the former emergency Dallas starter will try his hand in the XFL.

St. Louis BattleHawks

Although McCarron’s most recent action came with the Texans, he was on the 2021 Falcons. A path toward being Matt Ryan‘s final backup in Atlanta closed after a preseason ACL tear. Workouts in 2022 did not lead to a signing.

Vegas Vipers

A former top-10 pick and NFL sack leader, Beasley has been out of the league since the 2020 season. The ex-Super Bowl starter’s one-year, $9.5MM deal did not work out for the Titans, who cut the edge rusher during the ’20 campaign. Bryant has been out of the league longer, with suspensions altering his path. The talented ex-Steeler spent time in Canada recently. Hundley was on the Ravens’ practice squad until season’s end this year, signing with the team after Lamar Jackson‘s ankle injury.

Cowboys To Work Out Marquette King

November 7th, 2020 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Cowboys punter Chris Jones out with an injury, the team is bringing in a well-known free agent as potential insurance. Marquette King worked out for the Cowboys on Saturday.

King has not punted in an NFL game since the 2018 season, when the Broncos released him. He did, however, punt in 2020, doing so with the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. Punter Colton Schmidt joined King at the Saturday workout. Although Schmidt joined King at the team’s facility Saturday, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News notes his workout will occur next week (Twitter link).

Best known for his six-season Raiders tenure and post-punt celebrations, King visited the Texans earlier this year. They opted to go in a different direction. The Cowboys have another punter on their roster, Hunter Niswander, who will handle that role Sunday against the Steelers.

King, who led the NFL in yards per punt in 2013 (48.9) and cleared 48 yards per boot in 2017, could serve as potential insurance while Jones is out. The 32-year-old specialist would need to go through six days’ worth of COVID-19 testing before practicing with the Cowboys, should they sign him.

Schmidt served as Buffalo’s punter for nearly as long as King was with Oakland. He punted for the Bills for four-plus seasons, but the team went in a different direction three games into the 2018 season.

As for Jones, he underwent abdominal surgery this week, Gehlken tweets. This will be Niswander’s first NFL game. He spent three seasons (2015-17) as Northwestern’s punter.

Texans Sign Bryan Anger, Cut Trevor Daniel

September 17th, 2019 at 5:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Another punter switch in Houston. A year after Trevor Daniel beat out Shane Lechler, the young punter will lose his job to former third-round pick Bryan Anger.

The Texans initially signed Anger just before training camp but gave Daniel the punting job after the preseason. After two games, Houston will go with the seven-year veteran over the 2018 UDFA. Daniel will head to the waiver wire.

Daniel averaged 43.5 yards per punt in his first two 2019 games. He punted seven times in the Texans’ 13-12 win over the Jaguars. Anger, 30, punted in 16 games from 2012-18, serving as the Jags’ punter for four seasons and the Buccaneers’ punter for the past three. He’ll now be called upon to help another South-division franchise.

The team also brought in Marquette King for a workout, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. King has not punted since the Broncos released him last season.

Marquette King Visiting Texans

May 7th, 2019 at 12:52pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Broncos and Raiders punter Marquette King will visit the Texans on Tuesday, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). King’s market has been relatively quiet in recent weeks, but he could find a home once the compensatory pick formula is taken out of the equation. 

King, one of the most outspoken punters in NFL history, was released by the Raiders in April 2018, with reports indicating that head coach Jon Gruden wasn’t a fan of King’s personality. The 30-year-old received interest from the Vikings and Giants, but he landed with the Broncos on a three-year deal.

Unfortunately, King’s Denver run was short lived. After appearing in four games, King suffered a season-ending abductor injury and was ultimately released.

Last month, the Dolphins expressed some interest in signing King. The Bills, according to one report, also showed interest in King, though a separate report put that in question.

King’s 20 punts traveled an average of 44.1 yards last season, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. However, he managed to place seven punts inside the 20-yard line, placing him just outside of the top 10.

If signed, King would replace – or compete with – incumbent punter Trevor Daniel. Last year, Daniel averaged 43.7 yards per boot.

‘Fins, Bills Interested In Marquette King?

April 9th, 2019 at 9:28am CST by Zachary Links

Several teams, including the Dolphins and Bills, have expressed interest in signing veteran free agent punter Marquette King, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). However, there’s a bit of conflicting info when it comes to Buffalo’s interest – Vic Carucci of SiriusXM (on Twitter) hears that the Bills have no interest in King whatsoever.

King, one of the most well-known punters in NFL history, was released by the Raiders in April 2018, with reports indicating that head coach Jon Gruden wasn’t a fan of King’s outspoken personality. The 30-year-old received interest from the Vikings and Giants, but he landed with the Broncos on a three-year deal.

Unfortunately, his Denver run was short lived. After appearing in four games, King suffered a season-ending abductor injury and was ultimately released.

King’s 20 punts traveled an average of 44.1 yards last season, which ranked 22nd in the NFL. However, he managed to place seven punts inside the 20-yard line, placing him just outside of the top 10. Head coach Vance Joseph was critical of his lackluster performance against the Chiefs in Week 4, but the injury was likely to blame.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/3/18

November 3rd, 2018 at 7:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Saturday’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Broncos Release P Marquette King

October 8th, 2018 at 1:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos formally released Marquette King, the punter tells Jim Trotter of NFL.com (on Twitter). This was the expected move after the club placed King on IR last week.

King, one of the most well-known punters in NFL history, has opted against having surgery for his abductor injury. Instead, he’ll rest and rehabilitate his injury over the next three months, a plan that will still rule out playing in 2018.

King wound up with the Broncos in April after the rival Raiders released him. The 29-year-old could have earned up to $7MM in incentives over the course of his three-year deal, but he’ll leave Denver with something closer to $1.5MM after his early exit.

King’s 20 punts traveled an average of 44.1 yards this season, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. However, he managed to place seven punts inside the 20-yard line, placing him just outside of the top 10. Head coach Vance Joseph was critical of his lackluster performance against the Chiefs, but the injury was likely to blame.

Without King, the Broncos are moving forward with Colby Wadman as their punter.

AFC Rumors: Bell, Browns, Broncos, Raiders

October 6th, 2018 at 6:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two more game weeks remain before Le’Veon Bell‘s declared reporting window opens during the Steelers‘ bye. The team is still listening to trade offers for the 2017 All-Pro, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. The Jets, 49ers and Eagles have surfaced as interested parties. However, a trade still appears to be the only way Bell will leave the Steelers in 2018. Florio adds the team does not intend to rescind his franchise tender, despite the prolonged absence. This obviously makes sense because the Steelers rescinding the tender would not entitle them to compensation for Bell. Pittsburgh isn’t wavering on this long-held stance, though Florio adds the team must now consider if it would prefer a 2020 third-round compensatory pick or a return likely involving a 2019 selection in a trade. If Bell reports during Week 7, the Steelers would have over a week to work out a trade until the Oct. 30 deadline.

Bell’s plummeting 2018 salary — down more than $3MM from the $14.5MM price at the season’s outset — will affect a prospective transition tag in 2019. The Steelers could place the lesser-used tag on Bell next year on a 20 percent raise from his 2018 salary, which won’t be finalized until he signs his tender, and Florio notes that could be used in a transition tag-and-trade scenario.

Moving to less contentious AFC situations, here’s the latest:

  • The short Marquette King era in Denver is winding down. Intending to release the veteran punter via injury settlement when he recovers from his groin injury, the Broncos will also eat $1.5MM of King’s $2MM 2018 salary, 9News’ Mike Klis tweets. Neither Vance Joseph nor Broncos ST coordinator Tom McMahon attributed King’s struggles (44.1 yards per punt, 23rd in the NFL) to the groin malady. But King’s agent, Wynn Silberman, said his client encountered the injury during the offseason. “The injury clearly developed in OTAs, but Marquette wanted to fight through it and help the team,’’ Silberman said, via Klis. “He’s disappointed he couldn’t contribute more.” King will visit a San Jose, Calif.-based doctor on Monday, Silberman said. King, 29, averaged 47.4 yards per punt during his final Raiders season. The Broncos traded their previous punter, Riley Dixon, to the Giants after acquiring King.
  • A Tyrod Taylor trade is certainly possible for the Browns, who have already begun the Baker Mayfield era, doing so despite Hue Jackson‘s repeated intentions to play Taylor for either all or most of this season. Taylor acknowledged a trade request could be something he’ll consider, and ESPNCleveland’s Tony Grossi tweets the Browns could reasonably target a fifth- or sixth-round pick for their current backup quarterback. It may take a signal-caller’s injury to accelerate a Taylor market, because most teams are set at sports’ marquee position, but Cleveland almost certainly would be able to acquire value for the three-plus-year starting quarterback.
  • The Raiders released Tank Carradine to make room for Rashaan Melvin‘s activation, but the former 49ers defensive lineman requested a fresh start. Carradine was not happy with the playing time he was receiving in Oakland, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (on Twitter). Oakland added multiple defensive linemen after the season started, Johnathan Hankins and Clinton McDonald. Carradine played in only one game as a Raider.

Broncos Place P Marquette King On IR

October 6th, 2018 at 9:46am CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Marquette King‘s tenure in Denver has come to an end. Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post reports (via Twitter) that the punter will be placed on the injured reserve. Mike Klis of 9News in Denver tweets that the organization plans to release the punter when he’s healthy in a couple of weeks. Punter Colby Wadman has been promoted from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.

The well-known punter was suddenly released by the Raiders back in April, with reports indicating that head coach Jon Gruden wasn’t a fan of King’s outspoken personality. The 29-year-old received interest from the Vikings and Giants, but he ended up inking a three-year deal with the Broncos later that month. The deal was worth $2MM, and King could have made up to $7MM had he hit incentives.

King’s 20 punts have traveled an average of 44.1 yards this season, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. However, he has managed to place seven punts inside the 20-yard line, placing him just outside of the top-10. The punter apparently suffered a right thigh injury during Monday’s game against the Chiefs, and he was later listed as doubtful for this weekend’s contest. After Monday’s game, Vance Joseph called out King for his lackluster performance (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com), and the head coach didn’t attribute the ineffectiveness to the injury. King finished that game with three punts for 123 yards (41.0-yard average), including one 51-yarder and one punt placed inside the 20.

The 2012 undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State led all punters in Pro Bowl fan voting last year. He was the NFL’s punting yards leader in 2014, and he earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2016. Last year, King’s 47.4 yards per punt average was good for sixth in the NFL, and his net average of 42.7 yards was third.

Wadman, a 2017 undrafted free agent out of UC Davis, spent some time with the Raiders before joining the Broncos practice squad in September. During his final collegiate season in 2017, Wadman averaged 43.2 yards per punt.

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