Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Throwin_Samoan wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 8:15 pm

Sonny9 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 12, 2025 11:43 am Dan Pastorini starting QB and punted through 1976

In the days of much shorter rosters, starting QBs punted A LOT, but Pastorini was perhaps the last one. Working on a PFRA piece about this very subject right now.

Once the 40 man rosters came about, most teams had at least one specialist. The last team I can think of without any specialists was the 1968 Packers, who started the year with Jerry Kramer doing the kicking and Donny Anderson doing the punting. Though they had added a kicker by the end of the year.

Jay Z wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 4:23 pm

Throwin_Samoan wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 8:15 pm

Sonny9 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 12, 2025 11:43 am Dan Pastorini starting QB and punted through 1976

In the days of much shorter rosters, starting QBs punted A LOT, but Pastorini was perhaps the last one. Working on a PFRA piece about this very subject right now.

Once the 40 man rosters came about, most teams had at least one specialist. The last team I can think of without any specialists was the 1968 Packers, who started the year with Jerry Kramer doing the kicking and Donny Anderson doing the punting. Though they had added a kicker by the end of the year.

When do 40 man rosters begin?

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 8:13 pm

Jay Z wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 4:23 pm

Throwin_Samoan wrote: ↑Sun Aug 24, 2025 8:15 pm

In the days of much shorter rosters, starting QBs punted A LOT, but Pastorini was perhaps the last one. Working on a PFRA piece about this very subject right now.

Once the 40 man rosters came about, most teams had at least one specialist. The last team I can think of without any specialists was the 1968 Packers, who started the year with Jerry Kramer doing the kicking and Donny Anderson doing the punting. Though they had added a kicker by the end of the year.

When do 40 man rosters begin?

In 1964, but I believe after the regular season began teams had to have 4 players go on the IR before they could add more.

From 1965 to 1972 it was 40 men plus a 7 man taxi squad and there were limits on the number of moves a team could make in a year. IR players counted against the total limit. In 1971 the Giants wound up with less than 40 players because they had too many on the IR. There was also a "move list" that players could be put on two weeks at a time, I would have to look up all of the details on that. But basically it was 40 man roster, 7 man taxi squad with certain limitations.

In 1973 the taxi squad remained but it was like today's active list. The teams just had to designate the 7 inactive players on the day before the game. In 1974 the NFL went to a 47 man roster and the 40 man roster was gone.

Gary Najman wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 4:02 pm
What about Danny White from 1980 through 1984?

Yeah, you're right.

Jay Z wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 4:23 pm Once the 40 man rosters came about, most teams had at least one specialist.

And yet...there were still people who did double-duty.

Jay Z wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 4:23 pm Once the 40 man rosters came about, most teams had at least one specialist. The last team I can think of without any specialists was the 1968 Packers, who started the year with Jerry Kramer doing the kicking and Donny Anderson doing the punting. Though they had added a kicker by the end of the year.

Willie Wood kicked off for them from time to time. Dunno what years

Also Pat Studstill of the Lions in the mid 1960s. In 1966 he led the NFL in receiving yardage.

I wonder if he is the only punter to lead the league in either rushing, receiving, or passing yards from 1960 on? I know Baugh and Luckman did it back in the day. Probably others back then too.

Sonny9 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 03, 2025 12:23 pm

Jay Z wrote: ↑Tue Aug 26, 2025 4:23 pm Once the 40 man rosters came about, most teams had at least one specialist. The last team I can think of without any specialists was the 1968 Packers, who started the year with Jerry Kramer doing the kicking and Donny Anderson doing the punting. Though they had added a kicker by the end of the year.

Willie Wood kicked off for them from time to time. Dunno what years

1961-62 he definitely did. Lombardi wanted to rest Hornung and Jerry Kramer was not a deep kicker. Wood, Gremminger, and Dave Robinson all did it at various times. Dan Grimm did it at least in pre-season.