While with the Lions, Sam Martin punted indoors at 0.124 miles above sea level. With the Broncos, Martin will punt outdoors at one mile above sea level.
“Obviously, the thin air is going to rotate [the ball] easier,” Martin said during a conference call with reporters on March 31. “I’m pretty excited about that. It allows me to probably hit that Aussie style punt a little deeper back in the field. Then as far as kickoffs go as well, if that’s something that I’m asked to do, you get some more yards there.”
The higher elevation should help Martin’s punts but he probably won’t have to worry about kickoff duties. Martin handled kickoffs in Detroit but Denver kicker Brandon McManus has made it clear he will continue handling kickoffs for the Broncos.
Martin had an average of 45.3 yards per punt and a long of 62 yards with the Lions last season. With a career average of 46 yards per punt and a career long of 72 yards, Martin should have no problem booting punts in Denver.
