Bearkat Bites: Special Teams Get a Kick
Plus, we dive into the wonderful world of NFL futures contracts
Note: Thank you for subscribing to Bearkats Newsletter. This space is free and always will be. We do, however, ask that you consider a donation to $FobbsDistro on our Cashapp. These donations go the gas, food, and travel expenses that go with covering this incredible program. There is no “suggested donor level” or any of that, but, obviously, the more that is donated, the more places we can travel, with the goal being to attend every Sam Houston home and away game in 2025. Thank you, and Eat ‘Em Up ‘Kats!
Bearkat Special Teams Gets a Much-Needed “Kick”
It’s no secret that Sam Houston fans were less than impressed with the kicking game, as Christian Pavon filled in the role due to injuries. It was a mixed bag at best in 2024, but that seems to be remedied with the signing of Tate Ryan. Ryan is a five star kicker out of The Woodlands and the third highest rated high school kicker in the state. He will get every opportunity to compete against Pavon and Colby Sessums for the spot, and I would put my money on Tate being your starting kicker when the season opens against Western Kentucky.
The Matt Is Back
With all of the new happening around the Bearkats’ football program and the stadium, it’s nice to see a familiar face wherever you can. Today’s familiar warmth comes from Matt Merkins, who will return as Sam Houston’s tight ends coach. The Sam Houston alum has spent basically all of his budding career in Huntsville after graduation from the school in 2015. A little consistency ain’t bad, right?
#ProKat Signs #ConTract
Our last stop is in Houston, where #ProKat long snapper Tucker Addington signed a future’s deal with the Houston Texans this week. Addington, who has appeared in 10 NFL games during his career, was on the Sam Houston roster from 2016-2019.
I’ll admit, I had to look up what a “futures contract” meant and so I present it here to you now. A futures contract is a special type of contract that NFL teams offer practice squad guys or free agents before the league year starts. Were you on the street looking for a team at the end of last year? Oh, you were just on a practice squad? You qualify to sign a futures deal!
This type of contract allows teams to sign guys for their offseason activities without that money counting against the salary cap. They can sign as many of these “future deals” as possible, so long as it doesn’t take them over the 90 man offseason limit. If the “future deal” guys remain on the roster when the league year starts, it counts against their cap. Fun stuff!
Anyway, good luck to Tucker. I’m a Titans fan, but this move makes me SLIGHTLY okay with the Texans.
Programming note, NEXT WEEK will be our last Bearkat Bites until March 27, as I take time away with my new bride for our wedding on March 10. Thank you all for supporting, be sure to tell someone if you love my work, and send your well wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Fobbs!