Saints 2020 Year-In-Review: Thomas Morstead

New Orleans Saints Punter Thomas Morstead's 2020 season was not up to his normal standards but the veteran punter vows to return to form in 2021.

12-year NFL veteran Punter Thomas Morstead is the Saints all-time leader in in punts punting yards and yards per punt. However, 2020 was a forgettable year for the second-longest tenured Saint. Morstead's yards per punt average dropped under 45 yards for the first time in nearly a decade. With that he also set a new career low in yards per punt (43.1).

In an interview with "Sports Overtime" with Nadir Mirfiq and Chris Rosvoglou, Morstead highlighted two setbacks from his 2020 season. First, the 2012 Pro-Bowl selection mentioned a back injury that bothered hims throughout the offseason and lingered into training camp. Second he said that father-time has caught up to his eyes, causing him not to see as clearly as he has during the duration of his career. 

Morstead's struggles, while very visible, did not slow down the Saints special teams unit. New Orleans concluded the season among the leagues best units, holding opponents to a league-low 2.3 yards per return and 29 fair catches. New Orleans concluded the season punting 62 times, the most since 2012.

The Saints second longest tenured player, behind Drew Brees, has announced he will return for the 2021 season despite his struggles. Morstead vows "to do everything [he] can to be back [to normal form]" and "looks forward to the opportunity to show everybody that not only can they count on me consistently but I can be a game changer like I have been in the past."

Season Highlight: Best Punt Coverage in the League

Special Teams fact:

Thomas Morstead's punts this season have been returned for an average of 3.2 yards (32 yds on 10 ret.) - best in the NFL.

Wil Lutz's kickoffs have been returned for an average of 17.9 yards (358 yds on 20 ret.) - 4th best in the NFL.#Saints #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/V69mmPCvZm

— PFF NO Saints (@PFF_Saints) November 26, 2020

Season Lowlight: Yards Per Punt Average + Replacement Waiting in the Wings

One #Saints cap move not getting mentioned a lot is Thomas Morstead. Had easily the worst season of his career and New Orleans has a punter ready and waiting in Blake Gillikin.

One fun stat about Gillikin 53 punts inside the 10 at Penn State.

One fun pic: Great Mullet pic.twitter.com/1YeEQHzeJH

— RevDeuce (@RevDeuceWindham) February 1, 2021

2020 Season Stat Line:

• Total Punts: 62
• Yards: 2,674
• Yards Per Punt: 43.1
• Season Long Punt: 58
• Punts Inside the 20: 23
• Fair Catches Forced: 29 (Best in NFL)
• Return Yards: 2.3 Yards (Best in NFL)

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