Andy Lee (American football)

Last updated

Andy Lee
Andy Lee Browns.jpg
Lee with the Browns in 2015
Personal information
Born: (1982-08-11) August 11, 1982 (age 41)
Westminster, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: West-Oak (Westminster)
College: Pittsburgh (2000–2003)
Position: Punter
NFL draft: 2004  / Round: 6 / Pick: 188
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Punts:1,466
Punting yards:68,405
Punting average:46.7
Longest punt:82
Inside 20:476
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Andrew Paul Lee (born August 11, 1982) is an American football punter who is a free agent. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL draft.

Contents

Lee has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.

Lee was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2007, 2009, and 2011 seasons.

Early life

Lee was born in Westminster, South Carolina. [1] He graduated from West-Oak High School in Westminster. [2] At West-Oak High School, Lee was a 3-sport star athlete, lettering in football, baseball, and basketball. In football, he punted and played tight end and wide receiver as a senior. His punting average as a senior was 42.8 yards, earning him a 33rd ranking in South Carolina by SuperPrep. He was selected twice to All-Conference honors in basketball and helped lead the baseball team to a district championship and the state playoffs. As a pitcher, he went 5–0 as a junior and 8–2 as a senior, with a selection to the North-South Baseball All-Star Game and a Golden and Silver Arm Award.[ citation needed ]

College career

Lee attended the University of Pittsburgh and played for the Pittsburgh Panthers football team from 2000 to 2003. [3] He was Pittsburgh's starting punter for three seasons after winning the starting role late in true freshman season (2000). His 244 punts and 10,353 yards are tops in school history.[ citation needed ] He had 29 fair catches, 61 kicks downed inside 20-yard line and three blocked kicks.[ citation needed ] He was the only player to ever win Big East Conference Special Teams Player of the Year honors twice in career.[ citation needed ] His senior year in college, Lee was a semi-finalist for the Ray Guy Award, given to college football's top punter. [4] Lee was the All-Big East Conference first-team choice and Co-Special Teams Player of the Year.[ citation needed ]

Professional career

NFL Draft

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		207 lb
(94 kg)		31 in
(0.79 m)		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		5.00 s
All values from NFL Combine [5] [6] [7]

Following a successful collegiate career, Lee was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft with the 188th overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers. [8] He was the last active player drafted in the 2004 NFL draft. Lee had never attended an NFL game growing up in South Carolina. Even when he went on to become a standout punter on the collegiate level at the University of Pittsburgh, he was still a stranger to live NFL action.

San Francisco 49ers

Andy Lee Andy Lee - San Francisco vs Green Bay 2012.jpg
Andy Lee

2004 season

In Lee's rookie season, he punted 96 times with 25 dropped inside the 20 and an NFL-long of 81 yards. His punting average of 41.6 yards per punt was first time a 49ers punter averaged over 40 yards per punt since Reggie Roby in 1998. Lee also posted seven punts for 338 yards (48.3 avg.), including career-long of 81 yards with one punt downed inside 20-yard line at Tampa Bay (11–21). His 81-yarder was fourth-longest in 49ers history and NFL's longest punt of the year. [9]

2005 season

In 2005, Lee set a career-high with 107 punts (41.6 avg.), including 15 punts downed inside the 20. His three touchbacks in 107 punts was third-best ratio of touchbacks-to-punts among punters with 30 or more kicks in 2005, trailing Houston’s Chad Stanley (one touchback in 70 punts) and Detroit's Nick Harris (two touchbacks in 84 punts). His ratio of touchbacks-to-punts is best for any 49ers punter since 1970, topping Joe Prokop (one touchback in 40 punts) in 1991.

2006 season

In 2006, Lee registered 81 punts (44.8 avg.) with 22 punts dropped inside the 20-yard line and a net average of 36.8. He finished seventh in NFL with 36.8 net yards, while his 44.8 gross average marked team’s highest since Tommy Davis averaged 45.6 in 1964. Lee was awarded game ball for his efforts in the 20–14 victory vs. Seattle (11–19) when he landed two punts inside the 20-yard line to help the 49ers win the battle of field position. He also grossed 51.5 yards per punt at St. Louis (11–26), which included a season-long of 66 yards.

2007 season

Lee earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2007 after setting numerous records on 105 punts (47.3 avg.) with a net average of 41.0 and NFL record 42 punts downed inside opponents’ 20-yard line. [10] His yardage, gross average, net average and punts downed inside 20-yard line all set team records. His 4,968 punting yards in 2007 are an NFL single season record. His 42 punts downed inside 20-yard line broke Baltimore's Kyle Richardson's NFL mark of 39 in 1999. His 41.0 net average ranks second all-time in NFL history, trailing only Shane Lechler of Oakland (41.1 in 2007). He ranked second in NFL for gross average (47.3) and net punting average (41.0) to Oakland's Lechler. Also led the NFL with 49 punts over 50+ yards, which was 16 more than second ranked St. Louis’ Donnie Jones (33). Recorded four games in which he dropped four punts inside 20-yard line. Lee played key role in 49ers 37–31 overtime victory at Arizona (11–25), booming a 58-yard punt in overtime that wound up pinning Cardinals on their own three-yard line. The punt helped set up 49ers winning touchdown on DT Ronald Fields sack and forced fumble in the end zone that was recovered by linebacker Tully Banta-Cain for game-winning score.

2008 season

San Francisco 49ers kicker Joe Nedney prepares to kick an extra point with punter Lee as the holder, 2008 Joe Nedney kicks PAT at Rams at 49ers 11-16-08.JPG
San Francisco 49ers kicker Joe Nedney prepares to kick an extra point with punter Lee as the holder, 2008

After earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2007, Lee once again put up outstanding numbers, in 2008, as he set a career-high and team record with his 47.8 gross average. He had a career long 82-yard punt against the New England Patriots on October 5. [11]

2009 season

In the 2009 season, Lee returned to his 2007 form, having a superb year and earning his second Pro Bowl selection. [12]

2010 season

Lee followed up his Pro Bowl season in 2009 with another stellar year for the 49ers, playing in all 16 games and averaging 46.2 yards per punt. The 2010 season also marked the first season a punter ran for more than 70 yards in a single game, as he completed 2 successful fake punt run attempts.

2011 season

In 2011, Lee set a new NFL single-season record by averaging 44.0 net yards per punt, while his gross average of 50.9 yards was third best in league history. [13] He was named First-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and was voted to his third Pro Bowl. [14]

2012 season

On May 25, 2012, he received a six-year $20.4 million contract extension with the 49ers that made him the third highest-paid punter in the league. [15]

In the 2012 regular season, Lee had 67 punts with a 48.15 average. [16] At the end of the 2012 season, Lee and the 49ers appeared in Super Bowl XLVII. In the game, he had three punts for 159 net yards (55.0 average) as the 49ers fell to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 34–31. [17]

Andy Lee with the 49ers 2014 Andy Lee (American football).JPG
Andy Lee with the 49ers 2014

2013 season

In the 2013 season, Lee had 79 punts with a 48.15 average. [18]

2014 season

In the 2014 season, Lee had 72 punts with a 46.79 average. [19]

Cleveland Browns

On June 6, 2015, Lee was traded to Cleveland Browns for a seventh-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. [20] This took place after the 49ers drafted punter Bradley Pinion. He announced he would wear #8 for the team in honor of his daughter Madelyn, who died in February 2015 at just eight days old. [21] In the 2015 season, Lee had 70 punts with a 46.71 average. [22]

Carolina Panthers

On August 29, 2016, Lee was traded from the Browns to the Carolina Panthers along with a 2017 seventh round pick for a 2018 fourth round pick and punter Kasey Redfern. [23] Lee was placed on injured reserve on November 14, 2016, after pulling his hamstring. [24]

On September 2, 2017, Lee was released by the Panthers. [25]

Arizona Cardinals

On September 4, 2017, the Arizona Cardinals signed Lee to a two-year deal. [26] In the 2017 season, Lee had 88 punts with a 47.26 average. [27]

On June 14, 2018, Lee signed a two-year contract extension with the Cardinals through the 2020 season. [28] In the 2018 season, Lee led with the league with 94 punts for 4,568 net yards for a 48.60 average. [29] [30]

In Week 10 of the 2019 season, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lee converted on a 25-yard pass to Pharoh Cooper on a fake punt. [31] In the 2019 season, Lee had 61 punts with a 47.75 average. [32]

On December 20, 2020, in Week 15, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Lee converted on a 26-yard pass to linebacker Ezekiel Turner on a fake punt. [33] He finished the 2020 season with 58 punts with a 44.83 average. [34]

Lee re-signed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals on March 22, 2021. [35] In the 2021 season, Lee punted 51 times with a 49.04 average. [36]

Lee signed another one-year contract on March 17, 2022. [37] In the 2022 season, Lee punted 67 times with a 47.12 average. [38]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high
YearTeamGPPunting
PuntsYdsAvgLngBlk
2004 SF 16963,99041.6810
2005 SF 161074,44741.6581
2006 SF 16813,62544.8660
2007 SF 161054,96847.3740
2008 SF 16663,15547.8821
2009 SF 16994,71147.6640
2010 SF 16914,20346.2640
2011 SF 16783,97050.9681
2012 SF 16673,22648.1660
2013 SF 16793,80448.2620
2014 SF 16723,36946.8711
2015 CLE 16703,27046.7670
2016 CAR 9361,76949.1760
2017 ARI 16884,15947.3630
2018 ARI 16944,56848.6640
2019 ARI 15612,91347.8641
2020 ARI 16582,60044.8610
2021 ARI 16512,50149.0620
2022 ARI 17673,15747.1651
Career 2971,46668,40546.7826

49ers franchise records

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References

  1. ↑ Dorsett, Chad (April 17, 2013). "Andy Lee remembering Westminster Rec". 94.1 – The Lake / WSNW. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ Kroichick, Ron (December 7, 2011). "Punter Andy Lee gives 49ers a leg up". SFGATE. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Andy Lee College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Ray Guy Award Candidate Andy Lee Named Big East Special Teams Player of the Week". Pitt Panthers Athletics. October 27, 2003. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Andy Lee, Pittsburgh, P, 2004 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Andy Lee 2004 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Andy Lee Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  8. ↑ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2004 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  10. ↑ "2007 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ "New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers – October 5th, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  12. ↑ "2009 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ Price, Taylor (May 23, 2012). "Andy Lee Valued in San Francisco". 49ers.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  14. ↑ "2011 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Breaking down Andy Lee's contract". NFL.com. May 25, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Andy Lee 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Super Bowl XLVII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens – February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Andy Lee 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Andy Lee 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  20. ↑ Sessler, Marc (June 6, 2015). "Browns acquire 49ers punter Andy Lee for draft pick". NFL.com. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (June 11, 2015). "Browns punter Andy Lee to honor late daughter with new jersey number". ClevelandBrowns.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Andy Lee 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  23. ↑ Patra, Kevin (August 29, 2016). "Browns trade punter Andy Lee to Carolina Panthers". NFL.com. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
  24. ↑ Henson, Max (November 14, 2016). "Andy Lee placed on IR; Michael Palardy signed". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016.
  25. ↑ Henson, Max (September 2, 2017). "Panthers trim roster to 53". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2017.
  26. ↑ Urban, Darren (September 4, 2017). "Cardinals Sign Punter Andy Lee". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Andy Lee 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Andy Lee Signs Two-Year Extension". AZCardinals.com. June 14, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Andy Lee 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  30. ↑ "2018 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Winston rallies Bucs past Cardinals to snap skid". Reuters. November 10, 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Andy Lee 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  33. ↑ Raley, Dan (December 20, 2020). "Mr. Fourth Down: No One Does It Better than Ex-Husky Zeke Turner". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Andy Lee 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  35. ↑ Urban, Darren (March 22, 2021). "Some Work Done In Free Agency For Cardinals, Some Holes Left". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Andy Lee 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  37. ↑ Urban, Darren (March 17, 2022). "Cardinals Sign Long Snapper Aaron Brewer, Keep Andy Lee". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Andy Lee 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  39. ↑ "San Francisco 49ers Career Punting Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  40. ↑ "San Francisco 49ers Single-Season Punting Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
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