April 28, 2008

Pocatello, ID --- Dan Zeidman, Idaho State's punter for the previous three seasons, along with part-time placekicker and full-time kickoff man, has been signed by the Carolina Panthers to a free agent contract. He was signed Sunday after the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

Zeidman is now the fifth former Bengal in the National Football League, joining Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings, Jeff Charleston of the Indianapolis Colts, Matt Gutierrez of the New England Patriots, and Pago Togafau of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Zeidman joins a team that went 7-9 last season, finishing second in the NFC South Division. The Panthers have John Kasay as their placekicker (he has been with Carolina since their inception in 1995), and Jason Baker as their punter (eight-year veteran), and Rhys Lloyd, who kicked in NFL Europa in that league's final season. Zeidman is expected to battle Lloyd to be the kickoff specialist, but Zeidman might have a leg up so to speak with his versatily, plus he can also serve as a back-up holder as well.

Lloyd is interesting in that he has been signed and waived by the Baltimore Ravens six times, including five times in a span of five months from August to December of 2007 before he was signed by the Panthers on Christmas Eve, 2007.

Last year with Idaho State Zeidman averaged 42.7 yards on 59 punts, with 18 of those inside to 20. His season long punt of 71 yards was downed at the 1-yard line, and the Bengals were sixth nationally in net punting last year. Zeidman's kickoffs were superb all season, and he had 13 touchbacks on 49 kickoffs. His percentage of touchbacks (26.5 %) would have been second in the NFL last season.