The 12-year veteran is once again in a battle for his job in camp

  • By Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Tuesday, August 17, 2004 9:00pm
  • Sports

CHENEY – By his own estimate, Tom Rouen has had about a dozen punters with younger, stronger legs challenge him in past training camp battles.

After getting beat out as a rookie in 1992 and having to spend the following summer in the World League, Rouen hasn’t lost a single one.

“There haven’t really been any close ones,” Rouen said.

In his next breath, the 36-year-old punter backtracked. He recalled one of the most menacing punters the NFL has ever seen.

Brad Hunter was a 6-foot-8, 255-pound Brigham Young defensive lineman who moonlighted as a punter. Rouen hasn’t before, or since, seen a leg like his.

“He had as strong a leg as Reggie Roby,” Rouen said, comparing Hunter to the 260-pound, three-time Pro Bowl punter who played for five NFL teams. “That was a little unnerving. If he would have put together the consistency, he would have been a monster.”

Fortunately, as has been the case for most of Rouen’s dozen NFL training camps, the consistency wasn’t there. Rouen won that battle, and Hunter never stuck in the NFL.

The pattern continues this training camp, when the steady Rouen has methodically pushed himself ahead of another challenger.

“It’s kind of like we all were when we were young,” Rouen said. “There are a lot of guys who have strong legs. The consistency part is the hardest part.”

The latest challenger is Donnie Jones, a left-footed boomer from LSU who was the Seahawks’ seventh-round draft choice. Jones has shown an impressive leg during the first two weeks of training camp, but he’s still trying to find the kind of consistency that has allowed Rouen to stay in the NFL for 12 years.

“I’ll come out in practice and kick 10 balls, and I’ll be seven for 10, or eight for 10,” said Jones, who once booted a school-record 86-yard punt at LSU. “I want to eliminate the two that aren’t good. I want to come out and have a perfect day every day. That’s really my goal, to come out and hit the ball well every day.”

A typical Jones outing will see a modest 35- or 40-yard punt, followed by a jaw-dropping 60-yarder. But just when an onlooker is ready to anoint him the next Ray Guy, Jones thuds a 25-yard, fluttering line drive.

Meanwhile, Rouen continues to consistently pop the ball in the 40- to 50-yard range with good hang time.

“You (eventually) figure it out,” Rouen said. “The older guys in this league do. This is my 19th year of kicking a football – in my life. Most of these guys, maybe it’s their fifth, sixth year, including high school.”

Rouen has been impressed by Jones’ leg … even if he’s seen big boomers before.

“I think he’s got a lot of good things going for him,” Rouen said. “If he keeps working at it, I think he could definitely put it together.”

Jones got a lot of work in Monday’s preseason opener, punting seven times for a 36.3 average. Five of his kicks came from Green Bay territory: three landing inside the 20, and the other two going for touchbacks.

Rouen had less work, averaging 34 yards on two punts.

Jones knows he has his work cut out for him if he’s going to make the Seahawks’ roster. Rouen has been one of the league’s most consistent punters of the last decade, holding the Denver Broncos’ franchise record for most punts (612) while still ranking third in Denver history with a 44.0 average. With the Seahawks last season, he ranked fourth in the NFL in net average (37.1) and third in punts inside the 20-yard line (29).

“He’s a great punter,” Jones said of Rouen. “He’s older, but the guy hasn’t lost anything. I’m very impressed with the way he kicks, the way he handles himself around me, the help he gives me. I really don’t think there’s any negative to it. If anything, having an opportunity to work with someone who’s played that long, I think that will help me down the road.”

Maybe it will help Jones avoid becoming the next Brad Hunter.

Quick slants: Defensive end Grant Wistrom could practice this week, possibly as soon as today. Wistrom failed his physical heading into camp because of a heel injury. … The Seahawks have only two full practice days this week. They will hold a walk-through Friday morning, then head to Seattle in the afternoon. The preseason home opener is Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Denver Broncos. Tickets are still available.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Tips Week in Review: Everett splits at Prince George, beats Victoria

Eric Jamieson’s hat trick against Victoria highlights Presidents’ Day Weekend

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)
Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. stars in freshman season

The guard averaged 19 points per game for the Tomahawks this season.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 9-15

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 9-15. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Everett qualifies 13 girls for Mat Classic

Mia Cianega wins at 190 as Seagulls place third at district wrestling tournament.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Ryan Nembhard (0) reacts during the NCAA Tournament at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Rebecca Villagracia / Tribune News Services)
Ryan Nembhard named WCC Player of Week

For the first time this year, and with only four regular-season games… Continue reading

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.