TAMPA, Fla., March 14 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed free agent punter Josh Bidwell to a three-year-contract Saturday.
The 28-year-old Bidwell fills the vacancy left by Tom Tupa, who became a free agent and signed with the Washington Redskins last week.
Bidwell has averaged 41.1 yards per punt in four years in the NFL, all with the Green Bay Packers. Last season, 16 of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Bidwell, who starred in college at Oregon, overcame a battle with cancer that kept him out of the lineup during his rookie season with the Packers, who drafted him in the fourth-round in 1999.
"We are looking forward to having Josh on our team. He has displayed capable punting in adverse conditions," said Bucs Coach Jon Gruden in reference to the often cold and windy weather in Green Bay during the football season.
