GREEN BAY, Wis., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers have signed long-time punter Bryan Barker, Coach/General Manager Mike Sherman announced.
Barker previously punted for Kansas City, Philadelphia and Jacksonville. The former undrafted free agent out of Santa Clara has 1,016 career punts for an average of 42.2 yards per kick.
He will provide competition for rookie B.J. Sander, who has averaged just 36.1 yards (gross), 31 yards (net) and 3.97 seconds (hang time) on 15 punts in pre-season games.
"We need to be able to punt the football," special teams coach John Bonamego told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "Field position is critical."
"I have to believe I'll be here or I wouldn't have come," Barker told the newspaper. "I've had success this long because I truly believe in my heart that I can contribute to whomever I'm playing with."
The 14-year veteran punted for the Washington Redskins last season, averaging 40.2 yards on 84 kicks.
