Titans Ryan Stonehouse Working To Become A Better Directional Punter

Ryan Stonehouse was unbelievable punting for the Tennessee Titans as a rookie, but there's still room for improvement.

George Walker IV -USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse broke an 84-year-old NFL record as a rookie last season when he averaged 53.1 yards per punt, surpassing the old make of 51.4 held by Sammy Baugh since 1940.

Despite setting that record and being the NFL's punting yards leader last season with 4,779 total punt hards, Stonehouse was not voted to the Pro-Bowl, nor did he earn first-team All-Pro status, settling for the second-team spot.

Entering 2023, Stonehouse has been hard at work during the offseason, the early portions of the team's OTA program, and the team's minicamp on the one aspect of his game that needed improvement—directional punting.  

Titans fans and the team itself had been spoiled over the last 13 seasons by the almost effortless ability of recently retired punter Brett Kern's ability to stick the football on the sideline and force opposing returners to fair catch or allow the punt to go out of bounds, pinning the opponents deep.    

While Stonehouse easily outdistanced Kern in punt length, he struggled where Kern was so outstanding. 

However, that might not be the case this season, as Stonehouse has improved in that area so far during sessions open to the media. 

Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about his punter and if the team was willing to sacrifice some of the distance for a more accurate placement toward the sidelines. 

"Our number one goal, obviously, on the punt team, is to flip the field and limit the return," said Vrabel. "I think that there's a balance between that (distance and direction). He's working hard on his location and hang time and we all were accustomed to Brett (Kern) back when he was the best in the league at 45 yards down the field, two yards from the sideline."

"Those were easy punts to cover, so Stoney's working hard, and I don't know what that balance is, but I know that he's got a big leg, and he's willing," continued Vrabel. "And we can continue to improve with our plus-50 punting and when we're trying to pin them inside the ten-yard line."      

If Stonehouse can harness this part of his game, the Titans will have a true weapon on special teams with a punter who can continue putting up this kind of distance while being able to place the football out of bounds in the coffin corner.  

Titans Related Stories

• BYARD CAME, MADE HIS POINT, NOW WHAT: Titans safety Kevin Byard attended the mandatory minicamp last week, made his point, and now we wait to see what's next. CLICK HERE
• KEVIN BYARD SAYS TREYLON BURKS A 'DIFFERENT BEAST' IN SUMMER PRACTICES: Kevin Byard practiced against Treylone Burks every day last season, so when he says Burks is 'different' this time around, it's worth paying attention to what he has to say. CLICK HERE
• DEANDRE HOPKINS SAYS SAYS TITANS HC MIKE VRABEL WAS 'GOOD TO ME' DURING TIME WITH TEXANS: DeAndre Hopkins has a high opinion and respect for Titans head coach Mike Vrabel during their time in Houston. CLICK HERE