Dec 10, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) stretches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
NFLBy Liam McGuire on

There’s plenty of turmoil in Oakland after the Raiders announced on Friday the release of 2016 All-Pro punter Marquette King.

King was a revelation in 2016, the best season of his career. His on-field celebrations were only bested by his off-field zaniness. King routinely did awesome things like skeet-punting while hanging out with his pet lizard.

On the grass, King lived up to his last name, earning Second-team All-Pro in 2016. In February of that year, he earned a $16.5 million extension with $12.5 million guaranteed.

King routinely was a pure joy to watch on the field.

In 2017, King started all 16 games for the Raiders kicking for 3,270 yards with a yards/punt average of 47.4 and a net rating of 42.7 yards. For all intents and purposes, King was an above average punter.

For a fan favorite, who’s arguably the Raiders most exciting player (high praise for a punter), King’s left fans asking ‘why?’

https://twitter.com/Sir_Papi_/status/979816813222653952

The move might seem odd, but let’s remember who’s running the Raiders now. Jon Gruden, Oakland’s new coach, is all about managing personalities on his football teams. Gruden’s dislike for King’s antics might have played a part in the move. A more plausible explanation would be cutting him to sign a much cheaper punter – even if that could hurt the on-field product.

It’s not every day you see a good player in their prime released – even punters. It’s almost guaranteed King won’t remain a free agent long. Wherever he lands, you can bet he’s bringing a bunch of fans with him.

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com

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