Ravens re-sign punter Sam Koch

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly re-signed one of the league’s best punters in Sam Koch to a five-year, $16.5 million dollar deal.

Koch was entering the final year of his five year, $12.516 million dollar deal that was signed back in 2011.

While many fans of the NFL know Koch for his heroics in Super Bowl XLVII when he took a safety in the closing seconds of the game, little appreciate his dominance punting the pigskin. He has been the unconditional starter for Baltimore and is as reliable as it gets. He has yet to miss a game in nine seasons with the team.

Koch is coming off of a career best season in which he averaged 47.4 yards per punt and 43.3 net yards.

The 32-year-old is excited to be a Raven for years to come, as he said, :

“I’m extremely excited that I will continue to be a Raven for the next several years. It has always been my idea that I’ll be a Raven for life, because this is a first-class organization. There is no better place to be, and you can’t ask for a better owner than Steve Bisciotti,

Koch was drafted back in 2006 by the Ravens in the sixth round out of Nebraska. He was a stud at Nebraska, being named to a semifinalist of the Ray Guy Award and a two-time honorable mention to the All-Big 12 team in 2004 and 2005.

With Baltimore, Koch has won a Super Bowl as well as setting numerous franchise records. He holds the record for most career punting yards (31,870), Longest Punt (74 yards), and highest career punting average (45).

The Ravens are lucky to have an athlete like Koch and his presence will be essential when they make their next run for the Super Bowl.