CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 19, 2005) -- The Carolina Panthers traded Todd Sauerbrun to the Denver Broncos.
Denver sent punter Jason Baker and its seventh-round draft choice in 2006 to Carolina in exchange for Sauerbrun, a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
The Panthers had been trying to move Sauerbrun the entire offseason, and were expected to release him after June 1 if a deal could not be worked out with the Broncos.
Considered by many to be the best punter in the NFL, Sauerbrun played four seasons for Carolina and had his best year in 2001 when he averaged a team-record 47.5 yards per kick. He punted 76 times for a 44.1 yard average last season.
Baker becomes the third punter on Carolina's roster, joining Tom Rouen and Steve Cheek, who were both signed during the offseason.
Baker appeared in 10 games in 2004 while punting for Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Denver and averaged 38.8 yards per punt. Baker averages 39.6 yards per punt for his career.
