Bryan Corey Anger (born October 6, 1988) is an American professional football punter for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft. Anger has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans.

Bryan Anger
refer to caption
Anger with the California Golden Bears in 2010
No. 5 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:Punter
Personal information
Born: (1988-10-06) October 6, 1988 (age 36)
Camarillo, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Camarillo
College:California (2007–2011)
NFL draft:2012 / round: 3 / pick: 70
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
  • Highest average punting yards in a rookie season: 47.84 (2012)[a]
Career NFL statistics as of Week 9, 2024
Punts:852
Punting yards:39,981
Punting average:46.9
Longest punt:83
Inside 20:309
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Anger attended Camarillo High School. As a senior, he posted a 41.8-yard average, 11 punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and 42 receptions for 678 yards and six touchdowns. Anger received SA Today All-American, EA Sports All-American, All-Far West team by SuperPrep, Prepstar All-West Region and Cal-Hi Sports first-team All-State honors. He was listed as the No. 2 punter in the country by Rivals.

College career

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Anger accepted a football scholarship from the University of California, Berkeley.[1]

As a redshirt freshman, Anger registered a 43.1-yard punt average (sixth in school history) and had 26 punts downed inside the 20. Against Stanford University, he hit a 75-yard punt (tied for fifth in school history) and a career-long 76-yard punt (fourth in school history). Against Arizona State University, Anger hit a 72-yard punt. Against Arizona, he averaged 48.4 yards on seven attempts. Against Michigan State University, Anger had a blocked punt.

As a junior, Anger set the school single-season record for punt average (45.6 yards), ranking second in the Pac-10 and sixth nationally.

As a senior, Anger recorded a 44.2 punt average (fifth in school history). He finished second in school history and sixth in Pac-12 conference history in career gross punting average. Anger became the second player in school history to receive first-team all-conference honors for three consecutive seasons, matching Alex Mack's (2006–08) achievement.[citation needed] Anger was invited to the 2012 East–West Shrine Game, where he averaged 60.0 yards per punt on three attempts for the West team.

In four years, Anger never missed a game (51), totaling 255 punts for 11,094 yards, 72 punts of 50 or more yards, 90 punts downed inside the 20, a 43.5 average and a 38.2 net average.[2]

College statistics

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Year School Conf Class Pos G Punts Yds Avg
2008 California Pac-10 FR P 13 71 3,063 43.1
2009 California Pac-10 SO P 13 69 2,861 41.5
2010 California Pac-10 JR P 12 62 2,825 45.6
2011 California Pac-12 SR P 13 53 2,345 44.2
Career California 255 11,094 43.5

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 3+58 in
(1.92 m)
208 lb
(94 kg)
33+14 in
(0.84 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine[3][4]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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Anger was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round (70th overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. He became the highest drafted punter since Todd Sauerbrun was chosen 56th overall in 1995,[5][6][7] and the first punter drafted by the Jaguars since 2007. A day later on April 29, the Jaguars cut punters Nick Harris and Spencer Lanning. Like Anger, Harris also played collegiately at California.[8]

As a rookie, Anger punted 91 times for 4,353 yards and a 47.8 average.[9] His 47.8 yards per punt was second in the league.[10] Anger was named to All-Rookie teams by CBS Sports, ESPN, Pro Football Weekly and many other media outlets.[11][12][13] Anger also received a vote for the 2012 All-Pro Team as voted on by the Associated Press.[14]

In 2013, Anger punted 95 times for 4,338 yards and a 45.66 average.[15] He also led the league in punts and punting yards with 95 and 4,338, respectively.[16]

In 2014, Anger punted 94 times for a career-high 4,464 yards and a league-leading 47.5 average.[17] His 4,464 punting yards ranked second in the league that year.[18]

In 2015, Anger punted 80 times for 3,700 yards and a 46.3 average.[19]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On March 22, 2016, Anger signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[20] Anger won the starting punting job after the team released Jake Schum.

On December 31, 2016, Anger signed a five-year, $17 million contract extension with the Buccaneers through the 2021 season.[21][22] The following day against the Carolina Panthers in the regular-season finale, he punted five times for 229 yards and landed all five punts inside the 20-yard line as the Buccaneers narrowly won by a score of 17-16.[23] He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.[24] Anger finished the 2016 season with 70 punts for 3,215 yards for a 45.93 average.[25]

In the 2017 season, Anger had 65 punts for 2,857 yards for a 43.95 average.[26]

In the 2018 season, Anger had 57 punts for 2,567 for a 45.04 average.[27]

On March 13, 2019, Anger was released by the Buccaneers.[28]

Houston Texans

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On July 23, 2019, Anger signed with the Houston Texans.[29] On August 30, 2019, Anger was released.[30] However, he was re-signed on September 17, 2019 after the team cut Trevor Daniel.[31]

On December 28, 2019, Anger was signed to a three-year contract extension.[32] He finished the season with 45 punts for 2,094 yards.[33]

In the 2020 season, Anger had 54 punts for 2,505 for a 46.38 average.[34]

On March 18, 2021, Anger was released by the Texans.[35]

Dallas Cowboys

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On April 7, 2021, Anger signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys.[36][37]

After punting 65 times for 3,143 yards and a 48.4 average in the 2021 season,[38] Anger was named for the 2022 Pro Bowl, his first selection. He was also named second-team All-Pro. In the Wild Card round against the San Francisco 49ers, Anger punted five times for 268 yards and had a 16-yard completion in the 23-17 loss.[39]

On March 22, 2022, Anger re-signed with the Cowboys on a three-year, $9 million contract.[40] He finished the 2022 season with 68 punts for 3,291 yards and a 48.4 average.[41] He finished the 2023 season with 44 punts for 2,262 and a 51.41 average.[42]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP Punting
Punts Yds Avg Lng Blk
2012 JAX 16 91 4,353 47.8 73 1
2013 JAX 16 95 4,338 45.7 61 0
2014 JAX 16 94 4,464 47.5 69 2
2015 JAX 16 80 3,700 46.3 63 0
2016 TB 16 70 3,215 45.9 59 0
2017 TB 16 65 2,857 44.0 62 1
2018 TB 16 57 2,567 44.1 64 1
2019 HOU 14 45 2,094 46.5 71 0
2020 HOU 16 54 2,505 46.4 67 0
2021 DAL 17 65 3,143 48.4 63 0
2022 DAL 17 68 3,291 48.4 83 0
2023 DAL 17 44 2,262 51.4 63 0
Career 193 828 38,789 46.8 83 5

Postseason

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Year Team GP Punting
Punts Yds Avg Lng Blk
2019 HOU 2 8 353 44.1 56 0
2021 DAL 1 5 268 53.6 59 0
2022 DAL 2 8 376 47.0 56 0
2023 DAL 1 2 80 40.0 40 0
Career 6 23 1,077 46.8 59 0

Personal life

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Shortly after Anger was selected by the Jaguars, NFL Network host Rich Eisen exclaimed, "Punters are people too!" Eisen had Anger as a guest on his podcast and presented him with a shirt containing that exclamation.[43] Nevertheless, the Jaguars have received much criticism from fans and football experts for drafting a punter ahead of future Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson, although the Jaguars publicly said that they never considered drafting Wilson due to having 2011 first-round pick Blaine Gabbert.[44][45]

Due to his powerful leg, Anger's Jacksonville teammates gave him the nickname Banger.[46]

Notes

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  1. ^ Among qualified players

References

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  1. ^ "Bryan Anger College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  2. ^ "Bryan Anger Career Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "Bryan Anger Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  4. ^ "Bryan Anger, California, P, 2012 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  5. ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (April 27, 2012). "Jaguars pick punter -- in third round of NFL draft". NFL.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "Jaguars take punter Bryan Anger in third round". Jacksonville.com. April 27, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  7. ^ "Jaguars make Cal's Anger highest drafted punter since 1995 - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com". CBSSports.com. April 27, 2012.
  8. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars' punting job is all Bryan Anger's". NFL.com. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Bryan Anger 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  10. ^ "2012 NFL Kicking & Punting". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  11. ^ "PFW/PFWA 2012 All-Rookie team". Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  12. ^ Kiper Jr., Mel (January 2, 2013). "Kiper: 2012 NFL All-Rookie Team". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  13. ^ Katzowitz, Josh (December 30, 2012). "Grading the rookies: All-rookie team". CBSSports.com. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "All-Pro Team headlined by Adrian Peterson, J.J. Watt". NFL.com. January 12, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  15. ^ "Bryan Anger 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  16. ^ "2013 NFL Kicking & Punting". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  17. ^ "Bryan Anger 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  18. ^ "2014 NFL Kicking & Punting". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  19. ^ "Bryan Anger 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  20. ^ "Bucs Agree to Terms with P Bryan Anger". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "Anger Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension". Buccaneers.com. December 31, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (December 31, 2016). "Bucs sign punter Bryan Anger to 5-year extension". NFL.com. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  23. ^ "Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – January 1st, 2017". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  24. ^ Smith, Scott (January 4, 2017). "Bucs Release Punter Bryan Anger". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  25. ^ "Bryan Anger 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  26. ^ "Bryan Anger 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  27. ^ "Bryan Anger 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  28. ^ Smith, Scott (March 13, 2019). "Bucs Release Punter Bryan Anger". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  29. ^ Wilson, Aaron (July 23, 2019). "Texans sign punter Bryan Anger, cut Drew Lewis". chron.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  30. ^ "Texans roster cuts: Bryan Anger, Javier Edwards, Josh Ferguson". HoustonChronicle.com. August 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  31. ^ Wilson, Aaron (July 23, 2019). "Texans switch punters: sign Bryan Anger, cut Trevor Daniel". Chron.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  32. ^ Wilson, Aaron (December 28, 2019). "Texans re-sign Bryan Anger to three-year, $7.5 million contract". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  33. ^ "Bryan Anger 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  34. ^ "Bryan Anger 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  35. ^ Houston Texans Public Relations (March 18, 2021). "Houston Texans Transactions (3-18-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  36. ^ Helman, David (April 7, 2021). "Veteran Punter Bryan Anger Agrees To Terms". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  37. ^ "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April". NFL.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  38. ^ "Bryan Anger 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  39. ^ "Wild Card - San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys – January 16th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  40. ^ "Punter Bryan Anger Returns On 3-Year Deal". DallasCowboys.com. March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  41. ^ "Bryan Anger 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  42. ^ "Bryan Anger 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  43. ^ "PUNTERS ARE PEOPLE TOO!! – from The Rich Eisen Podcast «Rich Eisen – NFL Network Rich Eisen – NFL Network". Richeisen.nfl.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  44. ^ Sherman, Rodger (April 14, 2013). "Jags never thought about drafting Russell Wilson". SBNation.com. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  45. ^ Chase, Chris (September 23, 2013). "The Jacksonville Jaguars summed up in one sign". For The Win. USA Today. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  46. ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars tweets | GM Dave Caldwell said the team doesnt know if suspended WR Justin Blackmon has applied for reinstatement". Sportadore.com. December 28, 2014. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
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