Atlanta Falcons should have their eyes on one XFL player
By Ross Terrell
The XFL shuttered faster than it got started and the Atlanta Falcons should have their eyes on one former player in particular. Not a skill position, but former NFL punter Marquette King.
The Atlanta Falcons have made some interesting moves this offseason, picking up two Rams in hopes to better their offense and defense. They cut some veterans like Devonta Freeman and Desmond Trufant and let Vic Beasley walk. But one area they haven’t truly addressed is special teams.
And since this is the offseason of reunions and homecomings (Dan Quinn coached Dante Fowler and Todd Gurley played at UGA) why not throw another one in the pot with Marquette King. King went to Fort Valley State in central Georgia. He’s a Macon native. And the man has swag.
His longest punt is an absurd 72 yards. That’s three yards longer than anything Matt Bosher has booted. In fact, he averaged nearly a yard and a half more per punt than Bosher has in his career. Other than Bosher’s signature hit on Kenjon Barner, his time in Atlanta has been rather unremarkable.
The Falcons turned to Ryan Allen last year after placing Bosher on the injured reserve. The results were average at best. Allen averaged about 42 yards per punt. King sits at a 47-yard average. In a game of inches, five yards makes quite a difference. Just take a look back at the Falcons win versus the 49ers.
King’s NFL career came to an unceremonious pause, hesitant to say ending because he could get another shot. He’s also only 31. Sandwiched by age in between Bosher and Allen. While the cap space is and should be a concern for the Falcons, they have the leverage here considering no other teams seem to be calling for King’s service.
Some may say for a punter he can be quite disruptive but you can’t argue against the energy he brings on the field. The energy that would help a Falcons special team unit that since the days of Devin Hester on the back end of his career, has been quite forgettable.
Next. Sanders doesn’t deserve the prestige of a number being retired. dark
Flipping the field and putting what seems to be a challenged defense in a better position could be the key to winning more games and saving Quinn. It could also be the difference in getting into the playoffs over watching from home yet again. The Falcons could make one more splash signing, on a one year, prove-it deal. They have nothing to lose on Marquette King. Give him the number seven and let him rock.