Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia speaks to the media on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Allen Park. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Sam Martin wants nothing to do with the past. Not the four standout seasons he had to start his NFL career —when he mostly punted at a Pro Bowl level — nor the 1.5 seasons since, when nothing seemed to go right.
Martin suffered a serious offseason foot injury in 2017 that cost him half the year and he hasn’t been the same punter since.
He showed noticeable regression upon his return two years ago, when he averaged a career-low 43.