FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Ben Graham was released by the New York Jets – again.
The Australian punter who was cut after a poor outing in New York’s loss to New England on Sept. 16 only to be re-signed a few days later, was again let go by the Jets on Monday.
He had two punts for a 48-yard average in a 56-35 victory over Arizona on Sunday, and dropped his only two kicks against San Diego last Monday inside the Chargers 20-yard line with no returns. Still, the Jets weren’t completely satisfied.
“Our net (average) was very good, the gross wasn’t bad, but it’s more difficult to cover those punts without the hang time,” coach Eric Mangini said. “You want to have the combination of the two.”
After cutting Graham the first time, the team signed journeyman Reggie Hodges to the active roster and rookie Waylon Prather to the practice squad the next day. After Hodges strained his left thigh in practice and Prather proved he wasn’t ready to play in the NFL, the Jets re-signed Graham.
xpected to be New York’s punter for the Jets’ next game against Cincinnati on Oct. 12. The 26-year-old Hodges was a sixth-round draft pick by St. Louis out of Ball State in 2005, but hasn’t punted in an NFL game in nearly three years.
“Like I said when we signed Hodges, we liked him coming out,” Mangini said. “We liked the things that he did here. It’s unfortunate, sort of his early stages there, not being able to have an opportunity. So, I want to give him that opportunity, see how that is.”
The Jets also re-signed offensive lineman Will Montgomery to the active roster and released wide receiver Paul Raymond from the practice squad.
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