Hearts broke when punter Shane Lechler signed with the Houston Texans this past week. The 36-year-old agreed to a three-year $5.5 million contract. The seven-time Pro Bowler had been with the Oakland Raiders for 13 years and has made a remarkable impact.
Lechler will go down not only as one of the best punters in Raiders history, but also one of the best in NFL history as he is the NFL’s career leader in gross average punt at 47.3 yards. He also has two of the top four punting average seasons in league history with 51.1 yards in 2009 and 50.8 yards in 2011. Lechler also had at least one punt of 50 yards or more in 33 consectutive games from 2003-2005, which was the longest streak by any punter since the NFL/AFL merger back in 1970. He can boot the ball like no other, providing the defense with some breathing room when needed. His outstanding play has earned him seven Pro Bowl starts, which is something to take pride in.
He was not only a leader on the field for the Raiders, but also a leader in the locker room. Lechler and kicker Sebastian Janikowski, also the best at his position, quickly bonded and developed a friendship that shows every time you watch a Raiders game. The kicking duo have been an important part of each other's success. Until now, the two had spent their entire careers together, including the glory days, if you will, when Jon Gruden was the head coach and led them to division championships; as well as when then head coach Bill Callahan led them to Superbowl XXXVII in 2002.
Al Davis took a lot of heat for drafting a punter in the fifth round of the 2000 draft. At the time it was a questionable move that left some shaking their heads because he is a punter after all, but Lechler proved his worth and proved he deserved that draft pick.
Lechler earned that C on his jersey while with the Raiders. He’s more than just a punter. He’s a leader, a captain, and the best at his position. Not to mention the fact that he can throw a pretty nasty spiral when needed for some trick plays.
To many, he is a player who should have been able to play his entire career in the silver and black, but general manager Reggie McKenzie wants to take the organization in a different direction and give Marquette King the starting job. Houston is a good fit for Lechler as he resides in Texas during the offseason and the team showed interest in signing him in 2009 when he was a free agent, but Lechler decided to sign a four year deal with the Raiders.
What exactly made Lechler a fan favorite or a guy that Raider Nation came to love these past 13 years? The way he goes about playing the game and the loyalty he’s had to the Raiders and their fans. He stayed with this team until they no longer wanted him. He went out every week, played his best, and showed Raiders pride; through the good seasons and the bad.
So, farewell Shane Lechler, best of luck with the Texans. Raider Nation wishes you nothing but the best and appreciates everything you’ve done for the organization. Al Davis said it best, “Once a Raider, Always a Raider.”