Silver Spotlight: Shane Lechler
SHANE LECHLER
- PUNTER
- No: 9
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 225
- Birth date: 08/07/1976
- College: Texas A&M
- Acquired: Selected in the 5th round (142nd overall) of the 2000 NFL Entry Draft
- Pro Bowl Selections: 2001, 2004, 2007
- NFL All-Pro Selections: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007
Shane Lechler is one of the best punters in NFL history. Lechler’s powerful leg has been catapulting footballs for the Oakland Raiders since 2000 and he currently has the leagues best average per punt in a career (46.5).
Among league records, Lechler has also set many team marks, an impressive feat considering that the legendary Ray Guy revolutionized the position during his days in Silver & Black. Lechler has the top five single season punt averages in Oakland history, highlighted by his career best 49.1 during the 2007 season – the 2nd best single year average in NFL history.
Lechler had an impressive streak of games from Week 13 of 2003 through Week 14 of 2005, booming at least one punt of 50 yards or more in 33 consecutive games, the longest streak by any player since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970.
After the 2008 season, Lechler will be able to dip into free agency, and possible land a bigger deal than the $1.8 million cap number he will be valued at for Oakland this season.
In an exclusive interview with SBReport, Ray Guy stated, “When I first saw Shane Lechler, I admired his natural ability and techniques. This has always been a passion of mine to admire the natural athleticism young athletes have. It makes you want to take them a make them better but you have to guide them along slowly and help them understand how they can get better by understanding what they have is a god given talent.”
He continued, “He has matured into one of the best punters in the National Football League today.”
