Former Nebraska kicker and punter Brett Maher is getting a second chance at his rookie NFL season. The Cleveland Browns signed Maher on Monday.
Now he’ll have to go win a job. From Cleveland.com:
The Browns also have Cody Parkey on their roster. Parkey was signed last season the day before the Browns lost in overtime in Miami, a game in which Parkey missed three of his six field goal attempts, including the potential game-winning kick as time expired in regulation. Parkey was signed after Patrick Murray, who won the job from Travis Coons in training camp, hurt his knee.
The Browns stood by Parkey, who bounced back to connect on 17-of-19 field goals and 19-of-20 extra points over the team’s final 13 games.
Maher is still listed as a rookie in the NFL’s book. He signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in May of 2013. He was cut by the Jets in July, picked up by the Cowboys two weeks later and cut again two weeks after joining Dallas.
After a season away from the game, Maher headed to the Canadian Football League. In 2014 he hit 25-of-37 field goals while also handling punting duties for Le Rouge et Noir d’Ottawa (or the Ottawa REDBLACKS if you prefer). Maher only appeared in four games in 2015, but had a big 2016 for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, hitting 41-of-50 field goals and averaging 45.9 yards per punt.
Maher, a walk-on from Kearney, ranks fifth all-time at Nebraska with 39 career field goals. His career punting average (43.15 yards per punt) ranks fourth at Nebraska.
Huskers Add an Analyst
Nothing official yet, but based on a report and basic Twitter observations, Nebraska is adding former Notre Dame assistant Scott Booker to its football staff in an analyst role.
Shades of 2012 #NotreDame across #Nebraska staff: Scott Booker hired as special teams analyst, joining Bob Diaco and Bob Elliott on NU staff
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) March 20, 2017
Booker started as an intern with Notre Dame in 2010 eventually working his way up to tight ends coach and special teams coordinator in 2012. He was let go last December following Notre Dame’s 4-8 season.
The Grab Bag
- “He’s considered “noodling” the art of catching a catfish by putting one’s bare hand in the water until bitten…”. From Evan Bland’s profile of Huskers signee Deontre Thomas.
- Three Minnesota football players are back on the team after being cleared of sexual harassment allegations.
- Five reasons Penn State will win the Big Ten again.
- Ben Kercheval of CBSSports.com looks at the top Cinderella candidates in college football in 2017.
Today’s Song of Today
Brandon is the Managing Editor for Hail Varsity and has covered Nebraska athletics for the magazine and web since 2012, Hail Varsity’s first season on the scene. His sports writing has also been featured by Fox Sports, The Guardian and CBS Sports.
