Jack Fox had a nice afternoon as the Detroit Lions punter in Week 1. Then again, he’s had quite a few of those in his first two-plus seasons. In fact, Fox’s first punt on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles vaulted him to the top of the NFL record book.
No punter has ever had a better start to a career than Fox.
From the Lions postgame media release,
(Fox) produced his 125th career punt. He owns the NFL’s highest gross (49.1) and net (43.4) averages through a player’s first 125 career punts in NFL history
Sunday’s performance actually lowered his averages a bit. Fox had four punts for a gross average of “just” 46.3 yards and a 43.0-yard net average, thanks in part to two punts he killed inside the Eagles’ 20-yard line.
Fox has finished 2nd and 3rd in gross punting yardage in his first two seasons. And to preempt the snide comments about Fox getting so much practice thanks to the Lions offense, he’s been outside the top 10 in punt attempts both years.