OWINGS MILLS Md. — Baltimore Ravenspunter Sam KochOn Thursday, he announced his retirement. This marked the end of the longest-tenured franchise player's career.
Koch, 39, will continue to be with the Ravens this season as a special team consultant and mentor Penn State punter Jordan StoutBaltimore drafted a 19-day-old Baltimore man named.
Koch is a 16-year-old veteran who played in a team record of 256 Baltimore games. That's 27 more than any other Ravens players. Koch is the only active player to have served longer time with the team. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron RodgersAccording to Elias Sports Bureau.
Koch's time with Ravens was over. On April 30, Stout was the first punter selected in this year’s draft. Stout, the Ravens' only punter, was the highest-drafted punter of the past three years.
The Ravens have $2.1 million of salary cap space that was freed up by Koch's retirement. This could be used to sign a wide receiver, or pass-rusher. Baltimore now has a punter with the NFL’s third-highest salary ($3.175 million), and the 28th ($879,459). This is significant for a Ravens team with $7 million in cap space.
Koch, the 203rd selected player in the 2006 draft is one of only two active players (tight end) from that draft class. Marcedes LewisThe other. His impact on football goes beyond his Pro Bowl season (2015).
Koch is considered a pioneer in punting circles. His kicks caused trouble for returners to make clean catch. Koch was known for his hook punts that were in the form of “S” and “Knuckleballers”, which made it difficult to field. Koch would sometimes twist his body so that it appeared he was punting to one side, when in fact he was angling the punt to one side. Some trick punts are called “Koch hooks” by college punters.
Koch was the Ravens' punter during 16 years of their 26-year existence. He holds almost every record in punting: total punts (1168), gross average (45.3), and punts within the 20 yard line (450). Koch's right leg is the source of 11 of the Ravens' longest punts.
Koch is often referred to by the Ravens as their secret weapon because of all the ways he has helped Baltimore win. Jerry Rosburg, former Ravens special-teams coordinator, said that Koch is often called “the greatest holder in football history.” He's been responsible for setting up kicks to three Pro Bowl kickers: Matt Stover (Billy Cundiff), and Justin Tucker, who is the most accurate goal-kicker in NFL history.
Koch's most unique badge of honour is his record as the Ravens' All-Time Leader in Passer Rating. Koch completed 7-of-8 fake punt passes for 82 yards, with a rating of 110. Koch was regarded by his teammates as one of the most talented athletes on the team. He scored a touchdown of seven yards off a fake punt in 2012 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Raiders.
Koch's Super Bowl XLVII performance was perhaps the highlight of his career. He recorded one of most important safeties in history. With Baltimore leading 34-29 with 12 seconds left, Koch took the snap at the end zone. He ran away eight seconds before going outbounds. San Francisco 49ersYou can only make one play to win the game.
Koch retires and becomes a cornerback Jimmy SmithTucker, who is currently unsigned, is the only member of that Super Bowl champion team in 2012 to be under contract.
