NFL free agents 2013: Arizona Cardinals sign punter Will Batson

Punter Dave Zastudil had a record-breaking season 2012, but apparently he does not get to simply rest on the laurels of being worthy of the Pro Bowl. The Arizona Cardinals have signed punter Will Batson to a one-year deal.

Batson is much younger than Zastudil at 26 years old. He has not, though, made an NFL roster yet. He was on the Tennessee Titans training camp roster in 2012, but was released August 26. He played four seasons collegiately at North Alabama (2006-09) and punted 141 times for 5,756 yards (40.8 yard avg.) with 38 punts placed inside the 20 yard line and 15 touchbacks.

Zastudil is 34 years old and set a record of 46 punts downed inside the 20. He also came very close to setting the league record for number of punts in season. Because of contract escalators he met a season ago, he is due to make $1.475 million in 2013.

At the very least, Batson is being added to give Zastudil some competition to keep him sharp in training camp and in the preseason. Last year, the team brought in Ricky Schmitt, who both punts and kicks, to be the competition for both Zastudil and kicker Jay Feely. At the most, the team could be looking for a younger, cheaper option.

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