The fifth-year player was inconsistent last season while struggling in Buffalo’s windy elements, averaging a career-low 42.9 yards per attempt and landing just 18 of 52 punts inside an opponent’s 20. Haack was entering his second season in Buffalo and had two years remaining on his contract. And I’m doing a lot of things naturally by instinct now that I used to not be able to.” “The hold takes placed so fast, you don’t really have time to think about it too much. “I’ve gotten a lot better,” Araiza said, referring to holding. Araiza was new to holding after he handled both the punting and placekicking jobs in college.Īraiza proved to be a fast learner, handling most of the duties in two preseason games, including being the holder as Bass hit a game-winning 46-yard field goal against the Colts as time expired. Though the strength of Araiza’s leg was not in question, a bigger issue for the Bills was to see how the player adjusted to place-holding duties for kicker Tyler Bass. And speaking with Matt this morning, he echoed those sentiments in terms of he’s earned nothing.” “It doesn’t mean he’s where he needs to be. “What we’ve seen to this point with Matt Araiza, he’s off to a good start,” McDermott added. “Just felt like it was time to move on with one punter in camp,” coach Sean McDermott said, noting it offered Haack an opportunity to catch on with another team before the regular season opens. His punt was impressive enough: a flip-the-field 82-yarder that dribbled into the end zone during a 27-24 win over Indianapolis in Buffalo’s preseason opener on Aug. The move came after Araiza attempted just one punt in two preseason games.
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