New Miami Dolphins‘ special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman had a very tough decision to make at the punting position, but he finally made it.
It was believed heading into training camp that Ryan Stonehouse would have the advantage, having averaged 53.1 yards per punt two years in a row (2022-2023) with the Tennessee Titans. He also set the single-season NFL record for gross punting average in a season (and he’s actually first and second on that list).
However, the job was won by incumbent Jake Bailey, who doesn’t quite have the leg of Stonehouse and also counts more against the salary cap in 2025.
Aukerman said that both of them punted really well, but they ultimately decided that Bailey was the better fit.
“They did a really good job, competitive every single day,” Aukerman said. “Again, really proud of them. I know Ryan is gonna be punting somewhere in the National Football League. We just felt going forward that Jake would be our guy. Really happy with the consistency that he’s been throughout camp, whether it’s field punts plus 50, the preseason games, super proud to work with him and excited for him too because I know he’s to have a great year.”
Jake Bailey’s consistency and holding won out
It had to be tough to cut a punter with Stonehouse’s credentials, but Aukerman felt like Bailey had the consistency and versatility they were looking for.
“Yeah, you know what? It was hard,” Aukerman said. “Just because both of those guys, it was back and forth like constantly. Guys would hit a big ball. It would be Ryan, then it would be Jake.
“It was a little bit of everything. The consistency part, the holding along with Jason (Sanders), his ability to kick off, all these different types of factors that we look at. We just felt just going forward for the team that we need to move on and also help Ryan out trying to get on with another football team as quickly as he possibly could, too.”
Jay Bailey improved his directional kicking
This is Aukerman’s first year on the job, so he inherited Bailey. But, he did get a chance to watch some of his tape from last year and identify some weak spots and/or areas of improvement.
“Yeah, you know, when I first met with Jake, one of the biggest things was consistency with him,” Aukerman continued. “If we’re going to be a directional punting team, we need to get the ball close to the numbers. And I felt like he’s really honed in on that and focused in on being a directional (punt). And if sometimes we do hit the ball 60 yards, we’ve got to have great hang time with it.
“And there’s also a factor that I tell those interior players too, it’s not going to be perfect. It’s not going to be outside the numbers every time. It could be in the middle of the field, but we’re also paying you to go and cover. So those guys all understand that. And I think Jake is ready to go and have a great season.”
Last year, Bailey averaged 47.1 yards per punt and had one blocked. His average was good for 17th in the NFL.
Aukerman’s relationship with Stonehouse made the decision tough
Stonehouse was signed by the Dolphins in March and was a familiar face for Aukerman, who was his special teams coordinator with the Titans.
Stonehouse was elated to be reunited with his former coach.
“I think there are some things about natural fits and I truly believe the Dolphins are the best fit for me,” Stonehouse said. “I’ve kind of come to realize that being in the league for three years now that fit matters so much and understanding the player that I am matters a lot – how to use me as a weapon is truly something that I thank Craig Aukerman and (former Titans assistant and current Rams special teams coordinator) Chase Blackburn for when they brought me into Tennessee. It was very important for me to have a good fit, so I truly believe Miami is that place.”
Well, apparently it’s not. It seemed like a perfect fit for the fourth-year punter, who was third in the NFL in punting in 2024. But, Aukerman had to make the final call and it wasn’t easy to walk away from Stonehouse.
“Yeah, extremely difficult,” Aukerman said. When I told him today, and he knew this going into it, I had the same situation when Ryan came in as a rookie with Brett Kern. Brett Kern is the best all-time punter in Tennessee Titans history. All-Pro, Pro Bowl player, and we had to make a move and decided to go with Ryan instead of Brett Kern. So it was very difficult because he’s a great person, a great teammate, and a great punter, and it’s always tough to go through those situations, but at the end of the day, that’s what we’re here to do as coaches, make those difficult decisions, and what we feel is best for the football team going forward.”
It’s really difficult to imagine that Stonehouse will be unemployed for long.
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