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Bucs add punter Bryan Anger from Jaguars

 
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 29:   Bryan Anger #19 of the Jacksonville Jaguars punts during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field on September 29, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida.  (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: Bryan Anger #19 of the Jacksonville Jaguars punts during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field on September 29, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Published March 23, 2016

BOCA RATON — Free agent punter Bryan Anger, who has finished in the NFL's top 10 in punting average in three of his four NFL seasons, will join the Bucs on a one-year deal.

Anger, 27, comes to Tampa after four years with the Jaguars, who drafted him in the third round in 2012 out of California.

He led the NFL in punting average in 2014 (47.5 yards) and finished 10th last season at 46.3 yards — his career average of 46.8 yards is the second-best in NFL history among players with at least 250 punts, behind Oakland's Shane Lechler.

His signing presents a major challenge to returning starter Jake Schum, who had drawn praise from Bucs coach Dirk Koetter last month. Statistically, Anger had much more success last season — Schum averaged 41.9 yards per punt as a first-year player. The two are closer in net average (which accounts for returns and touchbacks), with Anger ranking 22nd in the NFL last year at 39.5 yards and Schum ranking 28th at 38.0 yards.

The Jaguars signed free-agent Brad Nortman away from Carolina with a four-year, $8.8 million deal that included $1.65 million guaranteed. Financial terms of Anger's deal have not been released.

Contact Greg Auman at gauman@tampabay.com and (813) 310-2690. Follow @gregauman.