Regarded as one of the NFL's most consistent punters, Koenen helped Atlanta's punt coverage unit lead the NFL by allowing just 49 return yards in 2008, nearly 100 yards less than the next closest team.
Koenen has additional value to the Falcons as a kickoff specialist. Over his four seasons in Atlanta, 18% of Koenen's kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks, and the Falcons have finished in the Top 10 in touchbacks in each of the last four seasons.
The one-year tender is worth $2.483 million dollars, the average of the top five highest-paid kickers and punters in 2008. Koenen is still free to talk to other teams, but any team that signs him to an offer sheet would have to compensate the Falcons with two first-round draft picks.
|