Lions Re-Sign LS Don Muhlbach To One-Year Deal
Allen Park, Mich.—The Detroit Lions announced today that they have re-signed LS Don Muhlbach to a one-year contract. Additional terms of his contract were not disclosed.
Muhlbach has been the Lions' mainstay at long snapper since joining the team in 2004 and was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team following the 2012 season, becoming the only Lions specialist who did not kick, punt or return to play special teams in the Pro Bowl.
By playing in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14) last season, Muhlbach played in his 150th career game with Detroit. His current total stands at 164 games, which is tied for 13th on the Lions' all-time list for career games played.
Last season, Muhlbach was instrumental in the continued development of rookie P Sam Martin, who finished in the Top-10 (ninth) in the NFL in net punting average for the second-consecutive season with a 40.1 net average, while his touchback percentage of 71.6 on kickoffs tied for fifth. In just two seasons, Martin already owns the Lions' all-time career records for gross punting average (46.7) and net punting average (40.3).
In 2012, Muhlbach helped K Jason Hanson break the team's all-time single-season scoring record, as he snapped for 32 field goals and 38 PATs. Muhlbach's steady snaps aided Hanson as he connected on 18 40+-yard field goals, which are tied for the second-highest single-season total in NFL history.
