Chiefs Colquitt Misses NFL Record By 1

One of the Chiefs players that neared NFL history today went largely unnoticed. No it wasn’t Jamaal Charles and his 259 yards on the ground. It was not Derrick Johnson and his 2 interception returns for touchdowns. It was, perhaps, the Chiefs most consistant and reliable player.

Dustin Colquitt.

Colquitt finished the season with 41 punts inside the 20, only one off the NFL record of 42 set by Andy Lee of the 49ers during the 2007 season. Colquitt now sits in second place all time in that category.

Despite putting up a near historic season, Colquitt was passed over in favor of Oakland’s Shane Lechler. While Lechler has a monster leg, he is no where near as precise as Colquitt.

Take a look at their numbers from this season:

Touchbacks:

Colquitt: 6
Lechler: 11

Returns:

Colquitt: 40
Lechler: 61

Return Yards:

Colquitt: 285
Lechler: 426

Punts Inside The 20:

Colquitt: 41
Lechler: 28

The two punters were very close to one another in attempts. Colquitt punted 96 times and Lechler 91. It seems Lechler made the Pro Bowl based solely on name recognition and his 51.1 yard average, vs. Colquitt’s 45.4.

Still, the rest of the numbers don’t lie. Lechler may have a big leg but if you want your opponent pinned deep in their own territory, unable to safely make a return, Dustin Qolquitt is your man. Colquitt is clearly the best punter in the NFL. Hopefully he will soon get some recognition.