Going in the right direction

Punter Hanson has clinched job

CHRIS HANSON No competition

FOXBOROUGH - It would seem there is little competition for the Patriots' Chris Hanson. He is, after all, the only punter on the roster, which is vastly different than this time last year, when he wasn't on the roster and the team was looking at three other punters: Danny Baugher, Josh Miller, and Tom Malone.

The Patriots released all three, though, and Hanson was signed Aug. 30, two days after the Saints released him. He emerged victorious from another punter competition when the Patriots released Scott Player and Mike Dragosavich in June.

So Hanson - a nine-year veteran who has beaten out five candidates in two offseasons for his job - could rightly be comfortable in that he has firmly earned his position. But now, with no other punters in camp, Hanson's competition extends outward.

"I'm competing against 32 other punters in the NFL and there's other guys out on the streets, so I take my job seriously," he said after practice yesterday.

Hanson averaged 41.4 yards on 44 punts last season, the average 14th out of 16 teams in the AFC and 26th out of 32 teams in the NFL. Oakland's Shane Lechler led the league with a 49.1-yard average.

But Hanson's numbers were more reflective of the Patriots' punting style. "We're a directional punting team," he said.

It showed in practice yesterday, because even though some of Hanson's punts didn't sail downfield, they were angled near the sideline or lofted high so the return man had to call for a fair catch.

Hanson said the team didn't do any more directional punting than he was used to earlier in his career, which largely consisted of six seasons with Jacksonville.

"It depends on the situation," he said. "If we need a directional punt, then we need a directional punt called. If we need something up the middle, then we call something up the middle."

The first part of practice was devoted to situational punting, but the most difficult kind.

Hanson stood in the back of the end zone with the defense in full rush. Footwork is key in end zone punting, as one step back could mean a safety, but there is little room to move forward.

Coach Bill Belicheck stood just a few feet to Hanson's right as he successfully executed the high-stress play. The coach walked over and said a few words to Hanson, and Hanson nodded and tapped the coach on the shoulder.

Belichick said the team is aware of Hanson's workload, as well as the workload of Stephen Gostkowski, the only placekicker on the roster.

"We are aware of their kicking schedule and how often they kick and how many balls they kick," Belichick said. "We sometimes adjust our practice schedule and use a JUGS machine or do something in the kicking game that doesn't require the kicking of the ball that much."

The coach said it's about finding a balance for the kickers.

"Sometimes a little more work is better than a little less work," Belichick said. "Sometimes a little less work is better than a little more work."

But for the Patriots' incumbent punter, any work is welcome.